Experimental study on temperature distribution characteristics and flow measurement of horizontal wells in gas reservoir

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20240679

Abstract

Abstract:

Clarifying the temperature distribution pattern of horizontal wells is crucial to interpreting natural gas production using well temperature data. This study investigated the impact of gas-liquid flow rate and the number of perforations on temperature distribution within a horizontal pipeline, utilizing a multiphase flow experimental setup. The study revealed that temperature fluctuations in the horizontal section are closely influenced by the gas inflow through the perforations, gas-water content, and the temperature drop across adjacent perforations. Correlation equations for predicting the flow rate and water content based on the temperature differences were established. Experimental results indicate that an increase in gas flow reduces the temperature beneath the perforations and decreases the overall temperature profile of the pipe section. Higher water content significantly reduces the temperature drop as the gas passes through the perforations, with the effect disappearing when the volumetric water content approaches 9% under experimental conditions. In addition, when airflow passes through multiple perforations simultaneously, the variation of the downstream airflow temperature drop is influenced by the temperature drop of the upstream airflow. The downstream temperature drop increases as the gas inflow ratio between neighboring perforations increases. When the downstream perforation encounters the gas-liquid flow, the effect of the upstream airflow temperature drop disappears as the water content in the downstream flow increases. The results show that the temperature drop from the upstream airflow significantly impacts the downstream temperature drop during the early stage of production, which should not be ignored when utilizing the temperature data for production calculations. However, this influence diminishes considerably in the presence of high water content. This study not only clarifies the characteristics of the temperature profile during production in horizontal wells, but also deepens the understanding of temperature drop variations caused by gas-liquid interactions. Additionally, it contributes to more accurate utilization of temperature data for production analysis, offering significant value for both engineering applications and academic research.

Key words: temperature distribution, horizontal gas well, Joule-Thomson effect, gas-liquid flow, natural gas, measurement

摘要：

明确水平井温度分布规律对于利用井温数据解释天然气产量至关重要。利用水平段多相参数测试实验装置，发现水平段温度分布特征与孔眼进气量、含水率以及相邻孔眼的温降密切相关，并分别建立了基于温差的流量及含水率预测关联式。实验结果表明，气体流入量越大，孔眼下方温度越低，而含水率增大会减弱气体通过孔眼时的温降，气体的节流温降效应在体积含水率达9%时消失。当多孔同时进气时，下游温降受上游温降影响显著，并随相邻孔眼间进气比增大而呈线性增强趋势，说明在纯产气阶段，利用温度数据计算射孔段产量时需要考虑射孔段间的温降干扰。但当下游孔眼流入气液两相时，随含水率的升高，上游温降对下游温降的影响逐渐降低。

关键词: 温度分布, 水平气井, 焦耳-汤姆逊效应, 气液两相流, 天然气, 测量

CLC Number:

TE 37

Yunlong HUANG, Jian XU, Tong LIU, Xintong YUAN, Qiang XU. Experimental study on temperature distribution characteristics and flow measurement of horizontal wells in gas reservoir[J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(2): 612-622.

黄云龙, 许剑, 刘通, 元昕彤, 徐强. 气藏水平井温度分布特征及流量测试实验研究[J]. 化工学报, 2025, 76(2): 612-622.

Figures/Tables 14

Fig.1 Schematic diagram of experimental system

Fig.2 Schematic diagram of the experimental test section

Table 1 Experimental measurement parameter errors and uncertainties

测量参数	测量范围	测量精度	最大误差	最大不确定度
压力	0~20 MPa	±0.075%	0.015	7.5%
压差	0~2 MPa	±0.075%	0.002	0.2%
温度	0~200℃	±0.25%	0.5	12.5%
气相流量	0~400 kg/h	±0.5%	1.8	20%
液相流量	0~0.6 m³/h	±1%	0.002	12%

Fig.3 Variations of temperature distribution and differential temperature distribution along the horizontal pipe with qg1 in E1

Fig.4 Variations of DT1-14 and DT21-14 with qg1 and corresponding fitting curves

Fig.5 Variations of temperature distribution and differential temperature distribution along the horizontal pipe with qw in E2

Fig.6 Variations of DT1-14 with α and β

Fig.7 Variations of temperature distribution along the horizontal pipe with qg2/qg1

Fig.8 Variations of DT1-20 and T14 with DT2-12

Fig.9 Diagram of temperature mixing between perforations

Fig.10 The relationship between upstream differential temperature and downstream differential temperature after the flow difference between adjacent perforations is introduced

Fig.11 Variations of temperature distribution along the horizontal pipe with qw in E4

Fig.12 Variations of DT1-14 with α

Fig.13 Variations of DT1-14 with α and β in E4 and E2 when qw is changed

References 31

1	贾承造, 郑民, 张永峰. 中国非常规油气资源与勘探开发前景[J]. 石油勘探与开发, 2012, 39(2): 129-136.
	Jia C Z, Zheng M, Zhang Y F. Unconventional hydrocarbon resources in China and the prospect of exploration and development[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2012, 39(2): 129-136.
2	王国勇. 苏里格气田水平井整体开发技术优势与条件制约: 以苏53区块为例[J]. 特种油气藏, 2012, 19(1): 62-65, 138.
	Wang G Y. Technical advantages and limitations of integrated development of Sulige gas field with horizontal wells: a case study with Block Su53[J]. Special Oil & Gas Reservoirs, 2012, 19(1): 62-65, 138.
3	王永辉, 卢拥军, 李永平, 等. 非常规储层压裂改造技术进展及应用[J]. 石油学报, 2012, 33(S1): 149-158.
	Wang Y H, Lu Y J, Li Y P, et al. Progress and application of fracturing reconstruction technology in unconventional reservoirs[J]. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 2012, 33(S1): 149-158.
4	吴奇, 胥云, 刘玉章, 等. 美国页岩气体积改造技术现状及对我国的启示[J]. 石油钻采工艺, 2011, 33(2): 1-7.
	Wu Q, Xu Y, Liu Y Z, et al. The current situation of stimulated reservoir volume for shale in U.S. and its inspiration to China[J]. Oil Drilling & Production Technology, 2011, 33(2): 1-7.
5	Shen W J, Ma T R, Zuo L, et al. Advances and prospects of supercritical CO₂ for shale gas extraction and geological sequestration in gas shale reservoirs[J]. Energy & Fuels, 2024, 38(2): 789-805.
6	朱世琰. 基于分布式光纤温度测试的水平井产出剖面解释理论研究[D]. 成都: 西南石油大学, 2016.
	Zhu S Y. Theoretical study on horizontal well production profile interpretation based on distributed optical fiber temperature measurement[D]. Chengdu: Southwest Petroleum University, 2016.
7	郭海敏, 刘军锋, 戴家才, 等. 水平井产出剖面解释模型及图版[J]. 中国科学(D辑: 地球科学), 2008, 38(S2): 146-150.
	Guo H M, Liu J F, Dai J C, et al. Interpretation model and chart of horizontal well production profile[J]. Scientia Sinica (Terrae), 2008, 38(S2): 146-150.
8	刘兴斌, 胡金海, 周家强, 等. 电导式相关流量测井仪在产出剖面测井中的应用[J]. 测井技术, 2004, 28(2): 138-140, 144.
	Liu X B, Hu J H, Zhou J Q, et al. Applicaion of conductance correlaion flowmeter logging tool in production profile measurements[J]. Well Logging Technology, 2004, 28(2): 138-140, 144.
9	韩易龙, 吴迪, 王海, 等. 水平井生产测井技术应用[J]. 测井技术, 2003, 27(4): 320-324, 355.
	Han Y L, Wu D, Wang H, et al. Application of horizontal well production profile logging technology[J]. Well Logging Technology, 2003, 27(4): 320-324, 355.
10	崔文昊, 高榕, 常莉静, 等. 井下存储式浮子流量计在水平井产液剖面测试中的应用[J]. 测井技术, 2017, 41(4): 458-461.
	Cui W H, Gao R, Chang L J, et al. Application of downhole memory float flowmeter to production fluid profile logging in horizontal wells[J]. Well Logging Technology, 2017, 41(4): 458-461.
11	吴世旗, 钟兴福, 刘兴斌, 等. 水平井产出剖面测井技术及应用[J]. 油气井测试, 2005, 14(2): 57-59, 77.
	Wu S Q, Zhong X F, Liu X B, et al. Tech of production profile logging in horizontal well and its application[J]. Well Testing, 2005, 14(2): 57-59, 77.
12	冯晓炜, 赵毅, 杨鹏, 等. 分布式光纤温度监测技术在压裂水平井产剖解释中的应用[J]. 油气藏评价与开发, 2021, 11(4): 542-549.
	Feng X W, Zhao Y, Yang P, et al. Application of distributed optical fiber temperature monitoring technology in production and profile interpretation of fractured horizontal wells[J]. Petroleum Reservoir Evaluation and Development, 2021, 11(4): 542-549.
13	罗懿, 符伟兵, 樊丽丽. 基于温度压力的产出剖面测试方法研究与应用[J]. 江汉石油职工大学学报, 2020, 33(6): 44-46.
	Luo Y, Fu W B, Fan L L. Study and application of method for temperature- and pressure-based test of production profile[J]. Journal of Jianghan Petroleum University of Staff and Workers, 2020, 33(6): 44-46.
14	Zhang S, Zhu D, Hill A D. Flow profile determination from inversion of distributed temperature measurements[C]//SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition. Calgary, Alberta, Canada. SPE, 2019: D031S048R002.
15	Ramey H J. Wellbore heat transmission[J]. Journal of petroleum Technology, 1962, 14(4): 427-435.
16	Yoshioka K, Zhu D, Hill A D, et al. Interpretation of temperature and pressure profiles measured in multilateral wells equipped with intelligent completions(SPE94097)[C]//67th EAGE Conference & Exhibition. Madrid: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers, 2005.
17	Yoshioka K, Zhu D, Hill A, et al. A comprehensive model of temperature behavior in a horizontal well[C]//Proceedings of SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition. Dallas: Society of Petroleum Engineers, 2005.
18	Muradov K, Davies D. Novel analytical methods of temperature interpretation in horizontal wells[J]. SPE Journal, 2011, 16(3): 637-647.
19	Li Z Y, Zhu D. Predicting flow profile of horizontal well by downhole pressure and distributed-temperature data for waterdrive reservoir[J]. SPE Production & Operations, 2010, 25(3): 296-304.
20	Luo H W, Li H T, Zhou X J, et al. Modeling temperature behavior of multistage fractured horizontal well with two-phase flow in low-permeability gas reservoirs[J]. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 2019, 173: 1187-1209.
21	李海涛, 罗红文, 向雨行, 等. DTS/DAS技术在水平井压裂监测中的应用现状与展望[J]. 新疆石油天然气, 2021, 17(4): 62-73.
	Li H T, Luo H W, Xiang Y X, et al. The application status and prospect of DTS/DAS in fracturing monitoring of horizontal wells[J]. Xinjiang Oil & Gas, 2021, 17(4): 62-73.
22	Nowak T J. The estimation of water injection profiles from temperature surveys[J]. Journal of Petroleum Technology, 1953, 5(8): 203-212.
23	Yoshioka K, Zhu D, Hill A D, et al. Prediction of temperature changes caused by water or gas entry into a horizontal well[J]. SPE Production & Operations, 2007, 22(4): 425-433.
24	Luo H W, Li H T, Li Y H, et al. Investigation of temperature behavior for multi-fractured horizontal well in low-permeability gas reservoir[J]. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2018, 127: 375-395.
25	罗红文, 李海涛, 蒋贝贝, 等. 基于DTS数据反演的低渗气藏压裂水平井产出剖面解释新方法[J]. 天然气地球科学, 2019, 30(11): 1639-1645.
	Luo H W, Li H T, Jiang B B, et al. A novel method to interpret production profiles of fractured horizontal well in low-permeability gas reservoir by inversing DTS data[J]. Natural Gas Geoscience, 2019, 30(11): 1639-1645.
26	Hashish R G, Zeidouni M. Injection profiling in horizontal wells using temperature warmback analysis[J]. Computational Geosciences, 2021, 25(1): 215-232.
27	Song W G, Jia N, Jiang Q Q. An interpretation model for the production profile on the same angle of a horizontal well trajectory[J]. Frontiers in Energy Research, 2020, 8: 203.
28	Crump J B, Conway M W. Effects of perforation-entry friction on bottomhole treating analysis[J]. Journal of Petroleum Technology, 1988, 40(8): 1041-1048.
29	Granger G. A series of enthalpy-entropy charts for natural gases[J]. Transactions of the AIME, 1945, 160(1): 65-76.
30	李颖川, 胡顺渠, 郭春秋. 天然气节流温降机理模型[J]. 天然气工业, 2003, 23(3): 70-72, 5.
	Li Y C, Hu S Q, Guo C Q. Model of temperature drop mechanism when gas flowing through chokes[J]. Natural Gas Industry, 2003, 23(3): 70-72, 5.
31	毛伟, 张立德. 焦耳-汤姆逊系数计算方法研究[J]. 特种油气藏, 2002, 9(5): 44-46, 107.
	Mao W, Zhang L D. A method study for calculating Joule-Thompson coefficient[J]. Special Oil & Gas Reservoirs, 2002, 9(5): 44-46, 107.

[1]	Han WANG, Chunying ZHU, Youguang MA, Taotao FU. Effect of inlet pressure and differential pressure on flow rate of gas conveying system [J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(2): 596-611.
[2]	Xiaoyu DAI, Qiang XU, Chenyu YANG, Xiaobin SU, Liejin GUO. Gas-liquid two-phase pressurization characteristics of multistage mixed-flow multiphase pump [J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(2): 554-563.
[3]	Liming PU, Gui WANG, Chunlai ZHENG, Ke WANG, Tenglong XIANG, Zhihong WANG. Optimization and analysis of natural gas liquefaction process in mixed fluid cascade [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(S1): 267-275.
[4]	Yingyu XU, Guoqiang YANG, Jing PENG, Haining SUN, Zhibing ZHANG. Research on advanced oxidation treatment of coal chemical wastewater using microinterfaces [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(S1): 283-291.
[5]	Dehui DU, Wei FENG, Jianghui ZHANG, Yanlong XIANG, Gaopan QIAO, Wei LI. Prediction model of flow boiling heat transfer in microfinned hydrophobic composite enhanced tube [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(S1): 95-107.
[6]	Yuhao TANG, Yingying ZHANG, Zhiwei ZHAO, Mengyue LU, Feifei ZHANG, Xiaoqing WANG, Jiangfeng YANG. Ultra-microporous Sc/In-CPM-66A with low-polar pore surfaces for efficient separation of CH₄/N₂ [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(9): 3210-3220.
[7]	Haoyu WANG, Yang YANG, Wenjie JING, Bin YANG, Yu TANG, Yi LIU. Study on characteristics of gas-liquid spiral annular flow under action by different swirlers [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(8): 2744-2755.
[8]	Zhenghang LUO, Jingyu LI, Weixiong CHEN, Daotong CHONG, Junjie YAN. Numerical simulation of heat transfer characteristic and bubble force analysis of low flow rate vapor condensation under rolling motion [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(8): 2800-2811.
[9]	Gang ZENG, Lin CHEN, Dong YANG, Haizhuan YUAN, Yanping HUANG. Visualization of local boundary thermal flow field of supercritical CO₂ inside a rectangular channel [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(8): 2831-2839.
[10]	Jiuzhe QU, Peng YANG, Xufei YANG, Wei ZHANG, Bo YU, Dongliang SUN, Xiaodong WANG. Experimental study on flow boiling in silicon-based microchannels with micropillar cluster arrays [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(8): 2840-2851.
[11]	Mingjun YANG, Guangjun GONG, Jianan ZHENG, Yongchen SONG. Production characteristics and model of muddy hydrates with low permeability by depressurization [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(8): 2909-2916.
[12]	Fangming LYU, Zhiming BAO, Bowen WANG, Kui JIAO. Investigation on impact of gas diffusion layer intrusion into channel on water management in fuel cell [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(8): 2929-2938.
[13]	Peiqi LI, Xuejiao CHEN, Boxiang WU, Rongpei JIANG, Chao YANG, Zhaohui LIU. Experimental study on radiometric density measurements of petroleum-based and coal-based rocket kerosene at high-parameters [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(7): 2422-2432.
[14]	Xinze LI, Shuangxing ZHANG, Honghai YANG, Wenjing DU. Experimental study on performance of new type of pulsating heat pipe for battery cooling [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(6): 2222-2232.
[15]	Chaoyang GUAN, Guoqing HUANG, Yinan ZHANG, Hongxia CHEN, Xiaoze DU. Experimental study on enhancement of flow boiling through degassing with copper foam [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(5): 1765-1776.