Schlumberger’s Multiphase Dynamic Simulator OLGA-Well Tutorials

Introduction on Schlumberger’s OLGA Software

OLGA is a modelling tool for transportation of oil, natural gas and water in the same pipeline, so-called multiphase transportation. The name is short for “oil and gas simulator”. The main challenge with multiphase fluid flow is the formation of slugs (plugs of oil and water) in the pipelines, which causes large problems at the receiving end at the platform or the onshore plant. The modelling tool makes it possible to calculate the fluid flow and safely bring the flow to the receiving destination on shore, on a platform or a production ship through the pipes.

The OLGA simulator is one of the principal components in analysis of pipeline operations. The OLGA Three Phase program base can solve most of the normal challenges associated with pipeline flow, but many additional modules have been developed to better solve particular problems. These include predictions of hydrodynamic slug behavior (Slugtracking), advanced heat transfer (FEMTherm), tracking of individual components (Comptracking), simulation of multiphase pumps, non-Newtonian behavior (Complex Fluids), advanced modeling of the hydraulics (OLGA HD), corrosion, and prediction of single component flows.

Although these modules are nominally for pipeline flow, they can also be used in simulation of well operations.

Maximize production and minimize risk

Successful production system design and operations requires a detailed understanding of multiphase flow behavior. Flow modeling and simulation provides valuable insights into flow behavior, including the physics describing flow through the entire production systems, from reservoir pore to process facility.

The OLGA dynamic multiphase flow simulator models time-dependent behaviors, or transient flow, to maximize production potential. Transient modeling is an essential component for feasibility studies and field development design. Dynamic simulation is essential in deepwater and is used extensively in both offshore and onshore developments to investigate transient behavior in pipelines and wellbores.

Transient simulation with the OLGA simulator provides an added dimension to steady-state analyses by predicting system dynamics such as time-varying changes in flow rates, fluid compositions, temperature, solids deposition and operational changes.

From wellbore dynamics for any well completion to pipeline systems with all types of process equipment, the OLGA simulator provides an accurate prediction of key operational conditions involving transient flow.

Key flow simulation applications

The OLGA simulator enables key flow simulation applications, including

• liquids handling
• sizing separators and slug catchers
• managing solids
• simulating key operational procedures including start-up, shut-down, and pigging
• modeling for contingency planning
• assessing environmental risk in complex deepwater drilling environments.

Over 30 years of research and development

Customer-supported innovation and research has been at the core of the OLGA simulator’s development for more than 30 years. Validation of the OLGA code with large-scale lab research and the largest database of actual production data from leading E&P companies are key factors in its ongoing development.

Major oil and engineering companies participate in the OLGA Verification and Improvement Project (OVIP), which has collected the world’s largest database of lab and field data. This data has been used to validate and adapt the multiphase flow models. Results are continuously implemented in the OLGA simulator, improving the core technology to better match the realities of operations.

Additionally, the Horizon project is cosponsored by seven major oil companies, which addresses problems related to the cost-effective development and safe operation of long-distance gas-condensate transport and long-distance transport of oil well streams.

Source : ww.slb.com