System and method for simulation of downhole conditions in a well system

A computer-implemented method of simulating downhole conditions in a multi-string well system, comprising:

• receiving, with a production prediction module, a completion configuration definition of the multi-string well system, the completion configuration definition describing annular fluids within the strings of the multi-string well system;
• receiving, with the production prediction module, heat source information associated with a heat source disposed within the well system;
• simulating, with the production prediction module, temperature transfer in the well system during a production scenario based at least on the completion configuration definition and the heat source information;
• receiving, at a multi-string module, simulated temperature transfer data from the production prediction module;
• and
• predicting, with the multi-string module, pressure buildup in the annular fluids within the strings of the multi-string well system based on the simulated temperature transfer data.

A computer-implemented downhole simulation system, the system comprising:

• a processor;
• a non-transitory storage medium accessible by the processor;
• and
• software instructions stored on the storage medium and executable by the processor for:
• receiving configuration information about a well system in a production configuration, the well system including annular fluids disposed therein;
• receiving heat source information associated with a heat source disposed in the well system;
• simulating temperature transfer in the well system during a production scenario based at least on the configuration information and the heat source information;
• and
• predicting pressure buildup in the annular fluids based on the simulated temperature transfer in the well system.

A method for drilling wellbores in a reservoir, the method comprising:

• receiving configuration information about a proposed well system in a production configuration, the proposed well system including annular fluids disposed therein;
• receiving heat source information associated with a heat source defined in the proposed well system;
• simulating temperature transfer in the proposed well system during a production scenario based at least on the configuration information and the heat source information;
• predicting pressure buildup in the annular fluids based on the simulated temperature transfer in the proposed well system;
• based on the predicted pressure buildup, selecting construction components for at least one physical wellbore corresponding to the proposed well system in the reservoir;
• preparing equipment to construct a portion of the at least one physical wellbore;
• and
• drilling and constructing the at least one physical wellbores in accordance with the selected construction components.