Optimum Production Potentials for Gas Wells Using Inflow Performance Relationships (IPR) Curves

The aim of the present study is to use the actual field data in an Iranian gas condensate reservoir in order to find more reliable gas flow rates in gas wells at pseudo-steady state conditions and also to predict the optimum productions rates for present and future planning. In this project, first each well was flowed through a test separator for a week to estimate the average flow rates and collect other relevant data, such as the wellhead pressures. Then, the bottom hole flowing pressures were calculated by using a computer program and a correlation. An inflow performance relationships method was adopted and used as a model, which relates the well’s pressure (wellhead pressures or bottom hole flowing pressures) to the flow rate. Inflow performance relationship is independent of reservoir pressure, but depends on the reservoir characteristics. For each well, inflow performance relationship curves were drawn, based on the wellhead pressures and also estimated bottom hole flowing pressures. The rate of production for all wells in a time length of two 5-month periods were predicted, and in order to test the figures, actual field data were collected for 7 individual days in a time span of 7 months and compared, which showed reasonably good agreements. Other results obtained include determination of flow regime in all wells, bottom hole pressure calculations, and preparation of vertical lift performance curves, which helped to estimate the optimum rate of production of all wells under study.