Efficient hydrocarbon production requires a deep understanding of the flow from the reservoir through the wellbore to the surface facility. PIPESIM (developed by Schlumberger) allows engineers to model this integrated production system. Unlike transient simulators, PIPESIM focuses on steady-state conditions, making it ideal for sensitivity analysis, design, and daily production troubleshooting.
Place a "node" (typically the bottomhole or wellhead). Solve the equation: Inflow (Reservoir → Node) = Outflow (Node → Separator) pipesim simulation
PipeSim iteratively finds the rate where these pressures converge. Place a "node" (typically the bottomhole or wellhead)
PipeSim includes a PVT (Pressure-Volume-Temperature) package. You can input: You can input: As deepwater oil flows up
As deepwater oil flows up the riser, it cools rapidly. Using the thermal module, Pipesim simulation plots the fluid temperature against the hydrate dissociation curve. If the line crosses into the "hydrate zone," the engineer knows to add insulation or inject MEG (monoethylene glycol) before that node.