Baker Hughes has announced the commercial release of its MultiNode all-electric intelligent well system, which allows operators to remotely monitor and control a greater number of production zones in both cased and openhole completions.
The MultiNode system improves initial production rates and ultimate recovery by combating early water and gas breakthrough and actively balancing flow in production zones.
Primary components of the MultiNode system include active flow control device (AFCD) downhole valves, tubing-encased conductor (TEC) cable, and a surface control unit (SCU). Up to 27 AFCD valves can be run downhole, connected by a single TEC cable and controlled from the surface.
The MultiNode system can be adjusted after the well goes on production, unlike passive inflow-control devices, so the system can remain effective as fluid properties and reservoir conditions change. If water or gas breakthrough is detected in one part of the well, the AFCD in that zone can be choked back or closed completely to lock out water and gas via a single control line while the well is producing. The surface controls can be accessed using a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) interface to remotely monitor and control production zones from virtually anywhere and can continuously optimize production over a large number of zones without incurring unnecessary intervention costs.