Unconventional reservoirs are characterized by low permeability, resulting in production under transient flow regime for an extended period. Consequently, conventional nodal analysis, with the implicit assumption of pseudo-steady state flow, is not applicable for predicting future production. The objective of this research line is to develop computational tools to predict the performance of a producing well from an unconventional reservoir. The tool allows the inclusion of different artificial lift technologies and evaluates its impact on the well production. By using the tool, it is also possible to evaluate the impact in reservoir performance due to modifications in the operating conditions resulting from valves opening/closing and changes in tubing/casing internal diameter (ID). Different transient flow regimes (such as linear flow, radial flow, bilinear flow, etc) will be considered as the well production evolves with time. The tool will be developed as a plug-in for expanding the capabilities of commercial simulators. This research line also includes: (a) development of a transient inflow performance relationship (IPR) methodology, (b) implementation of correlations to detect liquid loading in wells, and (c) a tool to support in the selection of the best artificial lift technology over the well lifetime.

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