Machine Learning Models to Predict Production Rate of Sucker Rod Pump Wells

Abstract

The design, operation, and optimization of Sucker Rod Pumping (SRP) systems necessitate the utilization of production data. However, forecasting fluid flow rates at the surface of SRP artificially lifted wells usually poses a challenge, especially in instances where traditional separators and multiphase flowmeters are not universally available. Consequently, this study introduces nine machine learning (ML) models employing real data sourced from 598 wells with a production history exceeding three years. The dataset, comprising 8,372 data points, undergoes a random split allocating around 80% of the data (6,697 data points) for training, while around 20% (1,675 data points) are used for testing. The ML models encompass Gradient Boosting (GB), Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machines (SVMs), Decision Tree (DT), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Linear Regression (LR), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD). The chosen input features for the models are readily accessible during any SRP well-lifting process, and these inputs include various variables such as wellhead flowing pressure, casing pressure, predicted bottom hole fluid production rate, predicted bottom hole oil production rate, net liquid head above the pump, pump size, pump clearance, stroke length, pump speed, pump setting depth, the temperature at the pump depth, oil gravity, and water viscosity. Evaluation of the different ML models’ performance is carried out by two methodologies: K-fold cross-validation, and repeated random sampling. The findings reveal that the top-performing models are GB, AdaBoost, RF, LR, and SGD, exhibiting mean absolute percentage errors of 3.6%, 3.4%, 3.4%, 4.0%, and 4.4% respectively, and correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.937, 0.934, 0.935, 0.921, and 0.915, respectively. In practical field application, these models are deployed on a well within Egypt's Western Desert fields, demonstrating excellent agreement between actual fluid rates and model predictions. In conclusion, across diverse pumping scenarios and completion configurations, the ML models could effectively forecast production rates for different SRP wells. This capability facilitates continuous monitoring, optimization, and performance analysis of SRP wells, enabling swift responses to operational challenges since the proposed ML models offer an accessible, rapid, and cost-effective alternative to conventional separators and multiphase flowmeters.