SPE Production and Operations 3

Question 1

What is the main operational risk associated with hydrate formation in subsea flowlines?

Accepted Answer

Plugging of the flowline, potentially causing loss of production or structural damage

Answer

Gas hydrates can form ice-like plugs in subsea flowlines under high pressure and low temperature, blocking flow and risking line rupture.

Question 2

Which inflow performance relationship (IPR) model accounts for turbulent flow near the wellbore in gas wells?

Accepted Answer

Forchheimer's non-Darcy flow equation

Answer

Forchheimer's equation adds a velocity-squared turbulence term to Darcy's law, capturing the non-Darcy pressure drop near high-rate gas wells.

Question 3

In sucker rod pump design, what does 'fluid pound' indicate?

Accepted Answer

Excessive gas bubbles causing the pump to strike incompressible liquid with impact

Answer

Fluid pound occurs when the pump barrel partially fills with gas so the plunger slams into liquid on the downstroke, causing mechanical shock.

Question 4

What is the purpose of a downhole safety valve (DHSV) in a production well?

Accepted Answer

To automatically shut off well flow if surface conditions indicate loss of control

Answer

A DHSV (or SCSSV) closes automatically if surface equipment fails or is damaged, preventing an uncontrolled blowout from the wellbore.

Question 5

Which completion technique involves perforating multiple isolated zones and fracturing each separately in a horizontal well?

Accepted Answer

Multi-stage hydraulic fracturing

Answer

Multi-stage fracturing uses packers or plug-and-perf systems to isolate and fracture individual zones sequentially along a horizontal wellbore.

(SPE) Society of Petroleum Engineers Certification Practice Test