Simulated annealing optimization of well production forecasts

A system for optimizing flow distribution across multiple production zones, the system comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor having instructions stored therein, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform functions, including functions to:
• assign a random flow distribution to a plurality of production zones along a wellbore within a formation, based on a flow rate randomly assigned to each of the plurality of production zones as a percentage of a total flow rate assigned to the plurality of production zones along the wellbore;
• estimate a temperature value for each of the production zones, based on the assigned random flow distribution;
• compare the estimated temperature value with an actual temperature value determined for each production zone;
• calculate an error amount for the temperature value estimated for each production zone, based on the comparison;
• determine whether or not the random flow distribution has reached a global optimum, based on the error amount;
• and
• repeat the assigning, the estimating, the comparing, the calculating, and the determining over a plurality of iterations until it is determined that the random flow distribution assigned to the plurality of production zones has reached the global optimum.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored therein, which when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a plurality of functions, including functions to:

• assign a random flow distribution to a plurality of production zones along a wellbore within a formation, based on a flow rate randomly assigned to each of the plurality of production zones as a percentage of a total flow rate assigned to the plurality of production zones along the wellbore;
• estimate a temperature value for each of the production zones, based on the assigned random flow distribution;
• compare the estimated temperature value with an actual temperature value determined for each production zone;
• calculate an error amount for the temperature value estimated for each production zone, based on the comparison;
• determine whether or not the random flow distribution has reached a global optimum, based on the error amount;
• and
• repeat the assigning, the estimating, the comparing, the calculating, and the determining over a plurality of iterations until it is determined that the random flow distribution assigned to the plurality of production zones has reached the global optimum.