Introduction

to
PIPESIM
Step By Step Guide
[Link]
PIPESIM
PIPESIM is a steady-state multiphase flow simulation tool used in the oil and gas industry to analyze and
improve the movement of fluids—such as oil, gas, and water—through wells, pipelines, and production
systems. It integrates advanced modeling of multiphase flow, heat transfer, and PVT (pressure–volume–
temperature) behavior to support safe, efficient, and economical transport of fluids from the reservoir to
processing facilities.

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A workspace holds all the data associated with a model. There are two types of workspaces: network-
centric and well-centric. The well-centric mode is essentially a simplified version of the network-centric
mode, designed specifically for well modeling by displaying only the user interface elements relevant to
that application
Network-centric workspace
Choose this workspace type when you need to build a network model and perform Network Simulation tasks. The
network-centric mode also includes all the features available in well-centric mode. Once the workspace is saved, the
selected mode is preserved, so it will automatically reopen in network-centric mode the next time it is accessed.

Well-centric workspace
Use this workspace type when your primary focus is on modeling individual wells. It excludes certain features and views
related to network modeling and simulation. Once saved, the selected mode is preserved, so the workspace will
automatically reopen in well-centric mode the next time it is accessed. 2
Network-centric workspace
A network-centric workspace consists of five main areas: Ribbon, Context Tab, Navigation Panel, Network
Diagram, and Information Area

Ribbon

Context
Bar
Navigation
Panel

Network
Diagram
Information
Area
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Ribbon Located at the top of the window, the ribbon contains various tools. The Network Tools tab is
contextual, meaning its content changes depending on the selected core tab (Home, Insert, or Format).

Context Bar Positioned just below the ribbon and always visible, the context bar allows you to create, edit,
and manage studies and wells.

Network Diagram This acts as the workspace canvas where you construct the network using objects from
the Insert tab. Equipment with missing data is highlighted in red. The Format tab provides additional
display options such as zoom, icon size, grid settings, and object labels.

Information Area Found at the bottom left of the window, this section includes the Message Center and
Validation tabs.

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Well-centric workspace
A well-centric workspace consists of four main areas: Ribbon, Context Bar, Well Editor, and Information
Area

Ribbon

Context
Bar

Well
Editor

Information
Area

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Ribbon Located at the top of the window, the ribbon provides access to tools. The Well Tools tab is
contextual, meaning its content changes based on the selected core tab (Home, Insert, or Format).

Context Bar Positioned just below the ribbon and always visible, the context bar lets you create, edit, and
manage studies and wells.

Well Editor This section includes an interactive wellbore schematic on the left side and a tabbed area on
the right for viewing and editing well properties.

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How to setup Horizontal Oil Well

Step 1 On the General tab, specify the well type, set its status, and define the flow direction

Step 2 Deviation surveys capture the path of the wellbore as it is drilled. Wells may be intentionally
deviated for various reasons, including:

• Increasing contact with productive zones

• Intersecting a greater number of fractures
• Following complex geological formations

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 Phase
01

Phase Phase
02 03

Phase 1 From 0 ft to 7000 ft, this section represents the vertical portion of the well extending from the
surface down to 7000 ft.
Phase 2 From 7000 ft to 8300 ft, this section marks the start of the well’s deviation, with the kickoff point
(KOP) located at 7000 ft.
Phase 3 At approximately 8500 ft, the well transitions into the horizontal section, extending into the
reservoir for a length of about 5500 ft
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Step 3 Heat transfer between the well and its surrounding formation changes over time. The well either
heats or cools the formation as energy is exchanged, continuing until both reach the same temperature.

Step 4 From the Tubulars group in the Well Editor, add casing to the well by selecting Casing and dragging
it onto the wellhead. Release the casing at the wellhead only when it turns green and the green circle is
flashing. Alternatively, you can click the icon to add either casing or tubing.

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10
After entering all required information regarding casing and tubing sizes, diameters, and the depth of
each section, the well will appear as shown in the dynamic well schematic diagram below, representing the
wellbore configuration up to this stage.

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Step 5 On the Completions tab, add a completion to the well by either dragging it from the Insert tab or
clicking the green plus button. Enter the completion details as illustrated in the figure below.

This is an IPR curve, but it will display when the reservoir fluid properties defined. To input reservoir fluid
properties, we will add a fluid in the Fluid Model section, then defines the fluid properties as shown.
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At this point, the bottom-hole pressure is approximately 3200 psia. Since the reservoir pressure is also
3200 psia, the flow rate is 0 STB/d. This occurs because there is no pressure difference between the
reservoir and the bottom hole, resulting in zero drawdown pressure

The IPR curve represents the relationship between bottom-hole pressure (Pwf) and flow rate. When Pwf is
0 psia, the flow rate reaches its maximum because the reservoir pressure exceeds the bottom-hole
pressure, and thus in this way we will have higher drawdown pressure between the reservoir and the well. 14
After adding a fluid to the simulation, the green lines from the completion to the surface indicate the fluid
flow from the reservoir. However, there is an issue: the fluid is flowing to the surface through both the
annulus and the tubing.

Fluid flows to the Fluid flow

surface through the through the
annular space tubing
between the tubing
and casing.

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 To resolve this issue—and ensure that the fluid flows only through the tubing rather than the annulus—we
will add packers to the well configuration.

After adding packers to the well configuration, the

fluid now flows exclusively through the tubing to
the surface.
Packers
Packers

We have now completed the Well Module. The green check mark indicates that there are no errors, and 16
the module is ready for any simulation. Let’s proceed to Step 6.
Step 6 A nodal point marks the location where the system is divided into two sections for nodal analysis.
The system is split around this solution point, allowing PIPESIM to calculate the inflow and outflow at that
point independently. Nodal points can be added in either a well or network diagram.
In this tutorial, we will perform a Nodal Analysis.

On the Ribbon click

on the Nodal
analysis

Now select bottom hole

because we want to perform
our nodal analysis there. And
click OK The wellhead
pressure is 300 psia.
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 In the System Results section, since we
performed the nodal analysis at the
bottom hole, the bottom-hole pressure is
Now run the 2361.134 psia, and the liquid flow rate at
simulation this point is 4125.147 STB/d.
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In the same System Results section, the plot shown below displays two curves: the blue curve
represents the inflow, while the red curve represents the outflow.
Outflow curve
Inflow Curve represent the fluid
represent the fluid flow from bottom
flow from reservoir hole to the surface
to the bottom hole

The point where the inflow and outflow curves intersect is called the
operating point. At this point, the well operates with a bottom-hole
pressure of 2361.134 psia and a production rate of 4125.147 STB/d. 19
Returning to the Nodal Analysis section, you’ll notice one of PIPESIM’s most valuable features: the
Sensitivity section, which includes inflow and outflow sensitivity. This section allows you to explore
different scenarios to optimize production—for example, evaluating the effects of using larger tubing,
reducing wellhead pressure, and other adjustments.

In the inflow sensitivity section,

you can modify reservoir
properties such as permeability,
porosity, water cut, and other
parameters.

In the outflow sensitivity

section, you can adjust
parameters from the bottom
hole to the surface, such as
tubing size, tubing roughness,
and wellhead pressure
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In this tutorial, we will examine how different tubing sizes affect production. In the Outflow section,
select Tubing and then choose the inside diameter. We will vary the diameter from 2.5 in to 3.5 in in 0.1
in increments. This means PIPESIM will simulate the expected production for tubing inside diameters of
2.5, 2.6, 2.7, …, up to 3.5 in.

After clicking OK, the

results will appear as
shown below.

Click On
Run Button

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The results for each tubing size are shown below.

As shown, increasing the tubing’s

inside diameter leads to a higher
production rate. This demonstrates
why PIPESIM is such a powerful
tool—it allows you to select the
optimal configuration for your well
to achieve maximum production.

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Next, we will move on to the Profile Results section.

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This is the Well Nodal Analysis plot, showing the relationship between elevation (ft) and pressure (psia).

But why does the pressure

continue to increase here
even though the elevation no
longer changes?

As we go deeper
This occurs because the well is now horizontal within the reservoir. In other
into the Earth, the
words, we are still moving deeper into the reservoir itself. The pressure
pressure increases. rises because the reservoir pressure at its outer boundary is higher than
the pressure near the perforations, or the interface between the reservoir
and the bottom hole. 24
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