Comparative study of feedback control policies in water flooding production

Smart well feedback control policies enable real-time production optimization by linking downhole measurements to valve control. This is more practical than model-based optimization methods that require an accurate prediction of reservoir models or fluid behaviors. This study numerically investigates reactive, proactive, and combined feedback control policies for a water flooding scenario. Long- and short-term economic optimization is compared for different well configuration schemes. Quantitative comparisons suggest that feedback control production improves recovery efficiency in water flooding compared with conventional well production for both short- and long-term optimization. A production policy that combines both reactive and proactive controls can achieve greater economic returns than simple reactive or proactive control alone. Isochronous feedback controls on both injection and production wells are superior to control on a production well only.