Dynamically Coupled Reservoir and Wellbore Simulation Research in Two-Phase Flow Systems: A Critical Review

Abstract

A coupled reservoir/wellbore simulator is essential for solving relevant flow phenomena with dynamic interactions between reservoir and wellbore in two-phase flow systems. A reservoir simulator or wellbore simulator alone fails to solve these transient flow phenomena. This paper summarises a critical review of the coupled reservoir and wellbore simulation. First, a wide application of the drift-flux (DF) models to simulate gas–liquid flow in a wellbore model coupling to a reservoir model was discussed. Then, the mechanisms of the coupled reservoir/wellbore simulator in two-phase flow systems were discussed, including the reservoir modeling, wellbore modeling, and their coupling schemes. Various examples of representative coupled simulators were presented. Finally, some case studies were reported to reveal dynamic interactions between wellbore and reservoir by using the coupled reservoir/wellbore simulators. This study gives the most up-to-date and systematic sights on the relevant research topic of reservoir/wellbore coupling, allowing for a better understanding of the coupled reservoir and wellbore simulation and its application in the oil and gas industry.