Pipesim 2023 is Now Available
Tuesday, 12 September 2023
The Pipesim steady-state multiphase flow simulator is the flagship well and network modeling software for steady-state multiphase flow simulation from SLB. With the Pipesim simulator and Olga dynamic multiphase flow simulator together, SLB provides a complete software solution for design and optimization of production systems.
This product is suitable for use by production, process, and flow assurance engineers and those involved in multiphase flow simulation.
These notes accompany the release of Pipesim 2023 from SLB. The notes describe changes in Pipesim 2023 relative to Pipesim 2022.2. This document should be read by all users of the program. The complete program documentation consists of the Pipesim simulator help, release notes, and installation guides.
The SLB Software Support Hub provides useful information about the product and a knowledge base.
In Europe, North America, and major parts of South America and Asia, Pipesim 2023 is now also available on the Delfi digital platform as part of Domain profiles on Delfi.
New well type: advanced
Historically, the Pipesim simulator offered the support of two main well types: production and injection. In Pipesim 2023, the new advanced well type is introduced to support complex well configurations. This new well type is considered a revolutionary step-change in the steady-state well modeling domain and facilitates modeling of various multi-stream well configurations and smart well completions. This release includes a limited edition of this functionality, which will enable modeling of:
• Flow control valves (For more information, see smart well completions with flow control valves.)
• Tail pipe configuration
• Tubing and annulus flow with two surface pressure conditions
• ESP separated gas in the annulus.
• Steam circulation with or without completion
• Production/injection pairs using the same well perspective
Smart well completions with flow control valves
Modeling of flow control valves (FCVs) was available in Pipesim simulator classic (up to 2012) as a limited functionality since a single valve could be connected to one completion. In later versions, modeling of FCVs with this limitation was only available by using engine keywords. In Pipesim 2023, a major upgrade in the modeling of FCVs is introduced and enabled under the advanced well editor.
The FCV can be placed along a tubing or a tail pipe. The flow in the annulus is modeled in case the valve is placed inside the depth range of a horizontal completion or away from a single-point completion. The number of FCVs is not limited or related to the number of completions in the model. The FCV catalog was updated with all SLB valves, and with the ability to add custom valves from other manufacturers.
Enable phase ratio override on Multiflash PVT files
Phase ratio override is the ability to change the gas and water ratios at any stream inlet and neglect the phase ratios specified or calculated in the original fluid description. Previously, this feature was disabled when using a PVT file generated by using the Multiflash fluid package. In Pipesim 2023, this feature is enabled, which will facilitate, in addition to overriding phase ratio in completions, the fluid editor and in sources generating vertical flow performance (VFP) files, while a Muliflash (MFL) file is used in the model.
New GIS map backgrounds
To improve the visualization on the GIS canvas, three background modes are added to the list of base maps: white, light, and dark. These backgrounds enable the display of better contrast of the network model objects and results, and hide geographical data.
Python toolkit enhancements
The following enhancements are available in the Python toolkit:
• The conda environment has been upgraded to Python 3.11.4.
• To support FCV equipment, the new search method, "find_component_objects", has been introduced to improve performance.
Easy access to simulation result files
To improve the handling of simulation results, Pipesim 2023 offers easy access to temporary simulation results files that were standard for the legacy Pipesim simulator versions (2012 and earlier). This is now available under the results manager. In addition, the VFP tables are now stored automatically in the same model directory once a VFP task is executed.
Minimum and recommended hardware requirements are detailed in the: Pipesim 2023 License and Installation Guide.
