Nodal analysis, defined as a systems approach to the optimization of oil and gas wells, is used to

evaluate thoroughly a complete producing system. Everycomponent in a producing well or all

wells in a producing system can beoptimized to achieve the producing system can be optimized
to achieve theobjective flow rate most economically. All present components-beginning withthe
static reservoir pressure, ending with the separator, and includingpressure, ending with the
separator, and including inflow performance, as wellas flow across the completion, up the tubing
string (including any downholerestrictions and safety valves), across the surface choke (if
applicable),through horizontal flow lines, and into the separation facilities-areanalyzed.
Introduction
The objectives of nodal analysis are as follows.
1. To determine the flow rate at which an existing oil or gas well willproduce considering
wellbore geometry and completion limitations (first bynatural flow).
2. To determine under what flow conditions (which may be related to time) awell will load or
die.
3. To select the most economical time for the installation of artificiallift and to assist in the
selection of the optimum lift method.
4. To optimize the system to produce the objective flow rate mosteconomically.
5. To check each component in the well system to determine whether it isrestricting the flow rate
unnecessarily.
6. To permit quick recognition by the operator's management and engineering staff of ways to
increase production rates. production rates. There are numerous oil and gas wells around the
world that have not been optimized to achieve an objective rate efficiently. In fact, many may
have been completed in such a manner that their maximum potential rate cannot be achieved.
Also, manywells potential rate cannot be achieved. Also, many wells placed on artificial lift do
not achieve the efficiency placed on artificial lift do not achieve the efficiency they should.
The production optimization of oil and gas wells by nodal systems analysis has contributed to
improved completion techniques, production, and efficiencyfor many wells. Although this type
of analysis was proposed by Gilbert in 1954.it has been used proposed by Gilbert in 1954. it has
been used extensively inthe U.S. only in the last few years. One principal reason for this was
thechanging of allowable producing rates, and another has been the developmentproducing rates,
and another has been the development of computer technologythat allows rapid calculation of
complex algorithms and provides easilyunderstood data.

Nodal analysis views the total producing system as a group of components potentially
encompassing reservoir rock/irregularities, completions (gravel pack, open/closed perforations,
open hole), vertical flow strings, restrictions, multi-lateral branches, horizontal/hilly terrain flow
lines/risers, integrated gathering networks, compressors, pump stations, metering locations, and
market/system rate/pressure constraints. An improper design of any one component, or a
mismatch of components, adversely affects the performance of the entire system. The chief
function of a system-wide analysis is to increase well rates. It identifies bottlenecks and serves as
a framework for the design of efficient field wide flow systems, including wells, artificial lift,
gathering lines and manifolds. Together with reservoir simulation and analytical tools, Nodal
analysis is used in planning new field development. Initially, this technology was applied using
pressure traverse curves and simple PI models. Now state-of-the-art software programs have
enabled a well-trained engineer to concentrate on matching field data, interpreting results, and
understanding a system's interdependencies. Software is used extensively during the class and
the participant is encouraged to bring his/her own laptop and nodal software. However, if the
attendee chooses not to supply his/her own software, nodal analysis and gas deliverability
planning programs will be provided at no extra charge. One personal computer is provided, at
additional cost, for each two participants.

Nodal analysis
Systems analysis has been used for many years to analyze the performance of systems composed
of multiple interacting components. Gilbert[1] was perhaps the first to introduce the approach to
oil and gas wells but Mach, Proano, and Brown[2] and Brown[3] popularized the concept, which is
typically referred to as Nodal Analysis within the oil and gas industry. The objective of
systems analysis is to combine the various components of the production system for an
individual well to estimate production rates and optimize the components of the production
system.

Contents

1 Necessity of examining flow through system

2 Systems analysis examples
o 2.1 Example 1
o 2.2 Example 2
3 Nomenclature
4 References
5 Noteworthy papers in OnePetro
6 External links
7 See also

Necessity of examining flow through system

The flow of reservoir fluids from the subsurface reservoir to the stock tank or sales line requires
an understanding of the principles of fluid flow through porous media and well tubulars. As the
fluid moves through the production system, there will be an associated pressure drop to
accompany the fluid flow. This pressure drop will be the sum of the pressure drops through the
various components in the production system. Because of the compressible nature of the fluids
produced in oil and gas operations, the pressure drop is dependent on the interaction between the
various components in the system. This occurs because the pressure drop in a particular
component is not only dependent on the flow rate through the component, but also on the
average pressure that exists in the component.
As a result, the final design of a production system requires an integrated approach, since the
system cannot be separated into a reservoir component or a piping component and handled
independently. The amount of oil and gas produced from the reservoir to the surface depends on
the total pressure drop in the production system, and the pressure drop in the system depends on

the amount of fluid flowing through the system. Consequently, the entire production system must
be analyzed as a unit or system.
Depending on the terminal end of the production system, there is a total pressure drop from the
reservoir pressure to the surface, as depicted in Fig. 1. If the separator represents the end of the
production system, the total pressure drop in the system is the difference between the average
reservoir pressure and the separator pressure:

Fig. 1Production System and associated pressure losses.[2]

....................(1)
This total pressure drop is then composed of individual pressure drops as the reservoir fluid
flows to the surface. These pressure drops occur as the fluid flows through the reservoir and well
completion, up the tubing, through the wellhead equipment and choke, and through the surface
flowlines to the separator. Thus, the total pressure drop of Eq. 1 can be represented by Eq. 2.
....................(2)
These individual pressure drops can be divided into yet additional pressure drops to account for
restrictions, subsurface safety valves, tubing accessories, etc.
Systems analysis is based on the concept of continuity. At any given point in the production
system, there is a particular pressure and production rate associated with that point for a set of
conditions. If there is any change in the system, then there will be an associated change in
pressure and/or production rate at that same point. This concept allows the production system to
be divided at a point of interest for evaluation of the two portions of the system. This evaluation
determines the conditions of continuity of pressure and production rate at the division point,
which is the estimated producing condition for the system being evaluated.

The approach provides the flexibility to divide the production system at any point of interest
within the system to evaluate a particular component of the system. The most common division
points are at the wellhead or at the perforations, either at the reservoir sandface or inside the
wellbore. The terminal ends of the system will be the reservoir on the upstream end of the system
and the separator at the downstream end of the system or the wellhead if a wellhead choke
controls the well.
The components upstream of the division point or node comprise the inflow section of the
system, while the components downstream of the node represent the outflow section. Once the
system is divided into inflow and outflow sections, relationships are written to describe the ratepressure relationship within each section. The flow rate through the system is determined once
the conditions of continuity are satisfied:

Flow into the division point equals flow out of the division point
The pressure at the division point is the same in both inflow and outflow sections of the
system

After the division point is selected, pressure relationships are developed for the inflow and
outflow sections of the system to estimate the node pressure. The pressure in the inflow section
of the system is determined from Eq. 3, while the outflow section pressure drop is determined
from Eq. 4.
....................(3)
....................(4)
The pressure drop in any component, and thus in either the inflow or outflow section of the
system, varies as a function of flow rate. As a result, a series of flow rates is used to calculate
node pressures for each section of the system. Then, plots of node pressure vs. production rate
for the inflow section and the outflow section are made. The curve representing the inflow
section is called the inflow curve, while the curve representing the outflow section is the outflow
curve. The intersection of the two curves provides the point of continuity required by the systems
analysis approach and indicates the anticipated production rate and pressure for the system being
analyzed.
Fig. 2 depicts a systems graph for a sensitivity study of three different combinations for outflow
components labeled A, B, and C. For outflow curve A, there is no intersection with the inflow
performance curve. Because there is no intersection, there is no continuity in the system and the
well will not be expected to flow with System A. The inflow and outflow performance curves do
intersect for System B. Thus this system satisfies continuity, and the well will be expected to
produce at a rate and pressure indicated by the intersection of the inflow and outflow curves.
System C also has an intersection and would be expected to produce at a higher rate and lower
pressure than System B, as indicated by the graph.

Fig. 2Inflow and outflow performance curves for systems analysis.

The outflow curve for System C has a rapidly decreasing pressure at low flow rates, reaches a
minimum, and then begins to slowly increase with increasing rate. This is typical for many
outflow curves, which, in some cases, will yield two intersection points with the inflow curve;
however, the intersection at the lower rate is not a stable solution and is meaningless. The proper
intersection of the inflow and outflow curves should be the intersection to the right of and several
pressure units higher than the minimum pressure on the outflow curve.
The effect of changing any component of the system can be evaluated by recalculating the node
pressure for the new characteristics of the system. If a change is made in an upstream component
of the system, then the inflow curve will change and the outflow curve will remain unchanged.
On the other hand, if a change in a downstream component is made, then the inflow curve will
remain the same and the outflow curve will change. Both the inflow and outflow curves will be
shifted if either of the fixed pressures in the system is changed, which can occur when evaluating
the effects of reservoir depletion or considering different separator conditions or wellhead
pressures.
Systems analysis may be used for many purposes in analyzing and designing producing oil and
gas wells. The approach is suited for evaluating both flowing wells and artificial lift applications.
The technique provides powerful insight in the design of an initial completion. Even with limited
data, various completion scenarios can be evaluated to yield a qualitative estimate of expected
well behavior. This process is very useful in analyzing current producing wells by identifying
flow restrictions or opportunities to enhance performance.
Typical applications include:

Estimation of flow rates

Selection of tubing size
Selection of flowline size
Selection of wellhead pressures and surface choke sizing
Estimation of the effects of reservoir pressure depletion
Identification of flow restrictions

Other typical applications are:

Sizing subsurface safety valves

Evaluating perforation density
Gravel pack design
Artificial lift design
Optimizing injection gas-liquid ratio for gas lift
Evaluating the effects of lower wellhead pressures or installation of compression
Evaluating well stimulation treatments

In addition, systems analysis can be used to evaluate multiwell producing systems. Systems
analysis is a very robust and flexible method that can be used to design a well completion or
improve the performance of a producing well.

Systems analysis examples

Examples 1 and 2 demonstrate the systems analysis approach. Example 1 considers the effects
of tubing size on gas well performance. Example 2 demonstrates the effects of reservoir
depletion on the performance of an oil well. Greene,[4] Brown and Lea,[5].

Example 1
Analyze a gas well to select an appropriate tubing size. The gas well under consideration is at
9,000 ft with a reservoir pressure of 4,000 psia.
Solution The first step in applying systems analysis is to select a node to divide the system.
Initially, the node is selected to be at the perforations to isolate the inflow performance (reservoir
behavior) from the flow behavior in the tubing. For this particular case, the well is flowing at
critical flow conditions, and, consequently, the wellhead choke serves as a discontinuity in the
system, which allows the use of the wellhead pressure as the terminal point for the outflow
curve. Once the node point is selected, the pressure relations for the inflow and outflow sections
of the system are determined. For this example, Eqs. 5 and 6 represent the inflow and outflow
pressure relationships, respectively.
....................(5)
....................(6)
With these basic relationships, the flowing bottomhole pressure is calculated for different
production rates for both the inflow and outflow sections. Table 1 presents the inflow
performance data while Table 2 presents the calculated pressures for three different tubing sizes
using a constant wellhead pressure of 1,000 psia. These data are used to construct the inflow and
outflow curves in Fig. 3 to estimate the production rates and pressures for each tubing size. The
intersection of the outflow curves with the inflow curve dictates the estimated point of continuity

and the anticipated producing conditions for the analyzed system. For this example, the
production rate increases with increasing tubing size, yielding 4,400 Mscf/D for 1.90-in. tubing,
4,850 Mscf/D for 2 3/8-in. tubing, and 5,000 Mscf/D for 2 7/8-in. tubing.

Table 1

Table 2

Fig. 3Systems analysis graph with a bottomhole pressure node for Example 1.

The same well could be analyzed with the wellhead as the system node. This allows the effect of
changes in wellhead pressure on well performance to be determined. The new inflow and
outflow pressure relationships are
....................(7)

for the inflow curve, and

....................(8)
for the outflow curve. Table 2 shows the pressure-rate relationship for both the inflow and
outflow curves. Because the wellhead is the node in this analysis, the outflow curve will be
constant and equal to the anticipated flowing wellhead pressure.
The data are plotted in Fig. 4 and yield the same producing rates and flowing bottomhole
pressures that were determined when the flowing bottomhole pressure was used as the node. This
is as expected because the choice of a division point or node does not affect the results for a
given system. If the wellhead pressure is decreased to 250 psia, the producing rate will change
also. This effect is readily determined by constructing a constant wellhead pressure line of 250
psia on the graph and selecting the points of intersection for each tubing size. As observed from
the graph, the anticipated production rates increase to 4,950 Mscf/D, 5,200 Mscf/D, and 5,300
Mscf/D for the three tubing sizes by lowering the wellhead pressure.

Fig. 4Systems analysis graph with a wellhead pressure node for Example 1.

Example 2
Investigate the effects of reservoir depletion of an oil well to estimate producing conditions and
consider the need for artificial lift. The well under consideration is producing with a constant
wellhead pressure of 250 psia and is controlled by the choke.
Solution Isolate the reservoir performance to visualize the effect of changing reservoir pressure.
The flowing bottomhole pressure at mid-perforations is selected as the node and, as the well is
producing under critical flow conditions, the wellhead will serve as the terminal end of the
system.

The inflow and outflow rate-pressure data is generated with Eqs. 5 and 6. Table 3 provides the
inflow performance data for average reservoir pressures of 2,500 psia and 2,000 psia. Table 4
shows the tubing-intake data or outflow performance data for a flowing wellhead pressure of 250
psia with 2 7/8-in. tubing. Fig. 5 plots this information, which is used to determine the producing
conditions at the two reservoir pressures. At an average reservoir pressure of 2,500 psia, the
curves intersect at an oil production rate of 380 STB/D and a flowing bottomhole pressure of
1,650 psia. However, there is no intersection or point of continuity between the inflow and
outflow performance curves when the reservoir pressure declines to 2,000 psia. This indicates
that the well will not flow under these reservoir conditions. On the basis of this analysis, the
effects of lowering the wellhead pressure, reducing the tubing size, or installing artificial lift
early in the life of the well to enhance its deliverability should be investigated.

Table 3

Table 4

Fig. 5Systems analysis graph with a bottomhole pressure node for Example 2.

Nomenclature
= average reservoir pressure, m/Lt2, psia
ps = separator pressure, m/Lt2, psia
pwf = bottomhole pressure, m/Lt2, psia
pwh = wellhead pressure, m/Lt2, psia
p1 = pressure loss in reservoir, m/Lt2, psia
p2 = pressure loss across completion, m/Lt2, psia
p3 = pressure loss in tubing, m/Lt2, psia
p4 = pressure loss in flowline, m/Lt2, psia
pd = change in downstream pressure, m/Lt2, psia
pp = difference in pseudopressures, m/Lt3, psia2/cp
pT = total pressure loss, m/Lt2, psia
pu = change in upstream pressure, m/Lt2, psia
p2 = difference in pressures squared, m2/L2t4, psia

Fliud properties, such as gas viscosity, change with the location dependent pressure and temperature in
the gas production system. To simulate the fluid flow in the system, it is necessary to break the system
into discrete nodes that separate system elements (equipment sections). Fluid properties at the
elements are evaluated locally. The system analysis for determination of fluid production rate and
pressure at a specified node is called nodal analysis in petroleum engineering.

Nodal analysis performed on the principle of pressure continuity, that is , there is only one unique
pressure value at a given node no matter whether the pressure is evaluated from the performance of
upstream equipment or downstream equipment. The performance curve (pressure-rate relation) of
upstream equipment is called inflow performance curve, the performance curve of downstream
equipment is called outflow performance curve. The intersection of the two performance curves defines
the operating point, that is, operating flow rate and pressure, at the specified node. For the convenience
of using pressure data measured normally at either bottom hole or wellhead,. Nodal analysis is usually
conducted using the bottom hole or wellhead as solution node.