After the fluid reaches the top, it is likely to be directed toward a manifold connecting a number of wells. The reservoir fluid consists of oil, gas (even if the flowing bottom-hole pressure is larger than the bubble-point pressure, gas is likely to come out of the solution along the well), and water.
Traditionally, the oil, gas, and water are not transported long distances as a mixed stream, but instead are separated at a surface processing facility located in close proximity to the wells. An exception that is becoming more common is in some offshore fields, where production from subsea wells, or sometimes the commingled production from several wells, may be transported long distances before any phase separation takes place.
Finally, the separated fluids are transported or stored. In the case of formation water it is usually disposed in the ground through a reinjection well.
The reservoir, well, and surface facilities are sketched in Figure 1-6. The flow systems from the reservoir to the entrance to the separation facility are the production engineering systems that are the subjects of study.
Figure 1-6. The petroleum production system, including the reservoir, underground well completion, the well, wellhead assembly, and surface facilities.
Leave a Reply