Creating a TPC Analysis (Gas AOF / TPC)
For a given set of conditions, a tubing performance curve (TPC) is a plot of the flowing sandface pressure, as a function of flow rate. This curve will not change through the life of the well. It is not at all dependent upon well performance; it depends only upon the gas-liquid ratio, tubular configuration (depth, diameter), wellhead pressures, etc. For information on creating hypothetical wellbores and configurations to be used for VirtuWell analyses, see Wellbore Editor.
On the Gas AOF / TPC plot, the minimum gas rate required to lift liquids is calculated in conjunction with each TPC. It is represented on the tubing performance curve by the transition of the thin dotted portion to the thick solid portion of the curve. For comparison and analysis, multiple TPCs to be plotted at the same time.
1. Launch an entity for analysis.
2. Click the Gas AOF / TPC thumbnail.
3. Add the Gas-Tubing Performance Curve analysis to the worksheet. See Adding an Analysis for details.
4. Enter a wellhead flowing pressure; select a wellbore and configuration, and select and enter any relevant liquid ratios.
You can plot TPCs in conjunction with absolute open flow (AOF) curves. The intersection of the AOF curve with a TPC signifies the operating point of the particular wellbore / reservoir combination. Harmony displays operating points in the following colors:
- Red — Operating point intersects below the critical rate required to lift liquid.
- Dark Blue — Operating point is above the critical rate required to lift liquid, and below the erosional velocity.
- Yellow — Operating point is above the erosional velocity calculated for this configuration.
