Application of inflow control devices to heterogeneous reservoirs

The rate of inflow to a long well can vary along its completion length due to reasons such as frictional pressure losses or reservoir permeability heterogeneity. These variations often negatively affect the oil sweep efficiency and the ultimate recovery. Inflow Control Devices (ICDs) are a mature, well completion technology that can make the inflow profile more uniform by restricting the high specific inflow rate segments of the completion. The paper presents a mathematical model for effective reduction of the inflow imbalance caused by the second of the above mentioned reasons, that is reservoir heterogeneity. The model addresses one of the key questions of the ICD technology application — the trade-off between well productivity and inflow equalisation. The practical utility of the model is illustrated through a case study.