Análise fluidodinâmica em válvulas SSV por simulação numérica

Abstract

Oil production is an industry with complex demands and continuous improvement. Several technological solutions are being employed in order to enable the extraction in increasingly challenging scenarios in a more profitable and efficient way. One of the strategies employed to optimize production is Intelligent Completions, which aims to control production in wells with multiple production zones by employing various flow and pressure control devices and valves, such as Sliding Sleeve Valves. The occurrence of fouling and erosion in SSV valves presents the need for an in-depth study of the flow in this element of completion since failures in this equipment directly influence production costs. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics, the velocity, pressure and turbulent kinetic energy fields for three producing zones of two distinct wells (Well A and Well B) are evaluated. The tests performed to analyze this type of valve usually generate a pressure drop curve as a function of the flow rate for the valve in isolated condition. It was observed in this paper, however, the influence of the flow of produced fluids coming from the lower production zones in the pressure drop of the valve. It was also observed that the valve imputes considerable head loss to the flow from the production column. Therefore, the curves generated for the valve are inefficient in terms of predicting the pressure drop in a smart completion context. The influence of manufacturing details such as bosses and slots on the formation of recirculation and turbulence induction zones was evidenced. The simulations showed that the region of greatest head loss is in the slots, highlighting an opportunity to improve the TRIM design in order to reduce the head losses through the valve and in the production column.