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, said production prediction module forming at least a portion of a downhole simulation system having a processor and a non-transitory storage medium accessible by the processor, said production prediction module including software instructions stored on the storage medium executable by the processor;
• 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, heat 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 heat transfer data from the production prediction module, said multi-string module forming at least a portion of said downhole simulation system;
• 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 heat transfer data;
• and
• adjusting a feature of the well system based on the predicted pressure buildup caused by the simulated heat transfer.

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 thermal energy output information associated with a heat source disposed in the well system;
• simulating heat transfer in the well system during a production scenario based at least on the configuration information and the thermal energy output information;
• predicting pressure buildup in the annular fluids based on the simulated heat transfer in the well system;
• and
• adjusting a parameter of the well system based on the predicted pressure buildup caused by the simulated heat transfer.

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 heat 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 heat 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.