Journal of Applied Mathematics & Bioinformatics

Modelling Stratified Flow in an Inclined Flow Channel with a Bend

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• Abstract

  Multi-phase flows modelling in wellbore has always been a problem to the petroleum and many other industries. In the petroleum industry, correlations are presently in use, most of which are obsolete as their application to field data has generated results with unacceptable errors. Most of the existing models proposed to correct these anomalies have always ignored the mass transfer between phases. This has created serious doubt to the predictive capability of these models. In this study, a one-dimensional transient state model of multi-phase fluid flow in an inclined well has been developed. The model is solved numerically to predict the pressure drop as the flow passes through an inclined wellbore and a bend. Results show that the higher the inclination angle the higher the rate of pressure decline in the flow of the fluid to the surface, also a dramatically high pressure drop was observed when the flow passes through a bend. This unexpected high pressure resulting from the change in flow regime from stratified layered flow to slug flow in bend can result in a counter flow of formation fluid back into the reservoir in a low pressure reservoir thereby reducing the fractional recovery from such a reservoir.