Numerical simulation of multiphase flows in the coupled «reservoir-well-ESP» system

The following study describes physical and mathematical formulation for coupled unsteady three-phase flow in reservoir-well-ESP (electrical submersible pump) system. Authors developed and implemented a numerical algorithm for simulation of one-dimensional non-isothermal flow in both tubing and annulus using a drift-flux model. A three-dimensional isothermal black-oil model was used to describe fluid flow in the reservoir. For ESP simulation authors considered both energy and head-capacity characteristics of the pump to account for heat transfer between fluids in the well and the ESP. The model was validated by comparing the simulation results with analytical solution and the results obtained with a commercial simulation package. Test simulations of well performance are also presented.