This paper gives an accurate method for modeling the deliverability of
gas-condensate wells. Well deliverability is calculated with a modifi
ed form of the Evinger-Muskat(1) pseudopressure (originally proposed f
or solution-gas-drive oil wells). The producing gas/oil ratio (GOR) is
needed to calculate pseudopressure, together with pressure/volume/tem
perature (PVT) properties (black-oil or compositional), and gas/oil re
lative permeabilities. The proposed method is successfully tested for
radial, vertically fractured, and horizontal wells. Using the proposed
deliverability model, we show that fine-grid single-well simulations
can be reproduced almost exactly with a simple rate equation that uses
pseudopressure. The key is knowing the producing GOR accurately. The
effect of near-wellbore damage, vertical fracture, or flow improvement
caused by horizontal well trajectory is readily incorporated into the
rate equation as a constant skin term. The effect of gas/oil relative
permeability is studied. We show that well deliverability impairment
resulting from near-wellbore condensate ''blockage'' is dependent only
on relative permeabilities within the range defined by 1 < k(rg)/k(ro
) < 50. Usually this represents gas and oil relative permeabilities ra
nging from 0.05 to 0.3. Gas relative permeabilities at low oil saturat
ions (k(rg) > 0.3) affect deliverability only for richer gas condensat
es. A key observation and conclusion from this study is that critical
oil saturation has no direct effect on well deliverability. We also sh
ow that interfacial tension (IFT) dependence of relative permeability
has little or no effect on gas-condensate well performance (e.g., leng
th of plateau production). The most important application of this stud
y is to provide a simple method for calculating bottomhole flowing pre
ssure (BHFP) in coarse-grid models. We show that the proposed pseudopr
essure method is readily calculated for each well grid cell on the bas
is of only grid-cell pressure and saturation (i.e., producing GOR). Lo
cal grid refinement near wells is not necessary, and relatively large
well grid cells can be used and still provide an accurate description
of well deliverability.