Optimization of reservoir, well and surface network systems

Abstract

A method and associated apparatus continuously optimizes reservoir, well and surface network systems by using monitoring data and downhole control devices to continuously change the position of a downhole intelligent control valve (ICV) () until a set of characteristics associated with the 'actual' monitored data is approximately equal to, or is not significantly different than, a set of characteristics associated with 'target' data that is provided by a reservoir simulator (). A control pulse () having a predetermined signature is transmitted downhole thereby changing a position of the ICV. In response, a sensor () generates signals representing, “actual” monitoring data. A simulator () which models a reservoir layer provides “target” data. A computer apparatus () receives the “actual” data and the “target” data and, when the “actual” data is not approximately equal to the “target” data the computer apparatus () executes a “monitoring and control process” program code which changes the predetermined signature of the control pulse to a second and different predetermined signature. A new pulse having the second predetermined signature is transmitted downhole and the above process repeat until the “actual” data received by the computer apparatus () is approximately equal to the “target” data.