Pipesoft-2® - FAQs
Questions answered in this document:
|
|
Q. Is training available?
A. Yes. Training is held in our Dallas and Houston offices, about 2-4 times a year. It is free for clients who are current on support. Training dates are announced periodically on our web site. On-site training at client's offices is available for a fee.
Return to top of page
Q. In the graph screen for link graphs, the yellow dot that shows the (x,y) values, moves too fast (or too slow). How can I adjust the speed?
A. The speed of the yellow dot is a function of two things - your PC's speed and the amount of segments the device was divided into. You cannot do much about the former. If you have used say 10-foot calculation increments, the dot will show you data every 10 feet in that device. In a device that is 1000s of feet long, this will appear to be a very slow display. You can speed this up by adjusting segment calculations to be performed at greater intervals (use Calculation Control menu). The submenu for adjusting speed for the flow animation in networks will have no effect on the speed of this yellow dot.
Return to top of page
Q. Why don't I get "system graphs" in the output when I run single-link cases?
A. System graphs are only available for network runs. In case of a single link, the link itself is the total system. So, only link-level graphs are available.
Return to top of page
Q. Sometimes - in networks with many links - I have difficulties in selecting a link & end up selecting a nearby link instead. How do I overcome this?
A. Before you click the mouse, point the cursor to the arrow of the link you want to select. This problem occurs only in very crowded networks, or, when you place links very close together.
Return to top of page
Q. How do force calculations to ignore heat transfer?
A. You may use a very small value of overall heat transfer coefficient. In this case, there is not heat loss (or gain) involved. Or, you can set the fluid temperature profile for tubing to override heat transfer calculations.
Return to top of page
Q. I cannot see any graphs on behavior of some devices such as pump, compressor, choke, etc. Why?
A. All these devices are "point" devices since their length is essentially zero. So, in graphs of a parameter (such as pressure or temperature) vs. length (or depth), there is no data available for these devices.
Return to top of page
Q. How do I modify the display for the graphs?
A. When the graph is displayed, a small icon appears on the top right hand side of each graph. Use this icon to change the x,y headings, change the scale (log-log form, etc), change line thickness / color, etc.
Return to top of page
Q. My network calculations do not converge. What do I do?
A. Please refer to sections on correctly setting up networks and common errors in an earlier chapter in Pipeosft-2 Manual 2.
Return to top of page
Q. What is the difference between "Detailed Heat Transfer" and normal "Heat Transfer"?
A. In normal calculations, where the "detailed Heat Transfer" option is not specified for a pipe / tubing etc, the value of overall heat transfer coefficient (U) is input by the user. Heat transfer calculations base heat loss/gain using this U value. For detailed heat transfer runs, the program internally calculates the value of U. This requires additional data to be entered.
Return to top of page
Q. When do I use the RISER device?
A. RISER is a surface device that represents flow up the riser pipe in offshore platforms. It should be used for upward flow only. Riser allows for "vertical" flow type of correlations found for the tubing device (but not in pipes). For downward flows, use the PIPE device.
Return to top of page
Q. Can Pipesoft2 do transient calculations?
A. No. Pipesoft2 is a steady-state simulator.
Return to top of page
Q. Can I print the network diagram?
A. Yes - in 2 different stages:
- If you are in the "draw" mode, you can print the network you have drawn by clicking on the print icon. You will be able to see the node / link names provided, under the View menu, you have checked on the "Show Node and Link Names" option.
- After the calculations, you can also print the network diagram but it will always be without node/link names. These are diagrams with color and show up nicely only on a color printer.
Return to top of page
Q. When should I use the MODWELL feature?
A. The MODWELL feature, based on work done by Chevron's R&D, is designed to give you an idea of the pressure drop contribution of different parts of a completion. In general, we prefer that you use actual well test data if it is available. If not, MODWELL can be used to get an approximate idea of the wellbore performance. Note that most correlations for prediction pressure drops are only approximate and also require input of parameters (such as SPF etc) which cannot be easily determined. This explains our preference for well tests.
Return to top of page
Q. How can I change the black background color when (a) drawing networks (b) when viewing networks or (c) in link graphs?
A. Under Tools/ Options, select background color. Three choices are offered - black (default), white and gray. The color changes will apply for drawing networks and for viewing results. Make sure that you are in input mode to effect the change. You cannot access the above choices when you are viewing results, as it will show up as a "grayed out" item.
Color changes described above do not apply to the link graphs. For link graphs, the real concern is not for display but more for printing. When you attempt to print the link graphs, you will see that a white background is generated automatically which will not result in a printout with a black rectangular blob on the printer!
Return to top of page
Q. Can I save *.ps2 files as *.ps3 files, and vice-versa?
A. Yes - see instructions in Manual2.
Return to top of page
Q. I am a new user - what is the easiest way to start using Pipesoft-2?
A. Pipesoft-2 manual2 comes with over 55 examples in the form of 35 case studies. There is a table in Manual2 (and also in the HELP for Pipesoft-2) that summarizes this comprehensive example list, which can usually help you choose an example that matches your case. All the 55+ examples are included in the Pipesoft-2 shipment. Detailed descriptions of setting up are also included in Manual2 for all examples.
Return to top of page
Q. Can I link Pipesoft-2 to a reservoir simulator?
A. Yes, but not using the calculation module you currently have. Chevron has already hooked Pipesoft-2 with CHEARS (Chevron's internal reservoir simulator). Please refer to SPE 71120 ("Advances in Tightly Coupled Reservoir / Wellbore / Surface Network Simulation"). This state-of-the-art paper coupling Pipesoft-2 to a reservoir simulator was published in April 2001 issue of SPE Reservoir Evaluation and Engineering. Please contact us if you want your simulator to be linked to Pipesoft-2.
Return to top of page
Q. How long can I use the application on a trial basis?
A. With a trial license you can use our fully functional software for 15 days.
Return to top of page
Q. What is the best method to register my product?
A. The best way to register your application is, what's best for you. Our phones have basic coverage from 6:00am to 6:00pm CDST. You are welcome to leave a voice mail, or you may send email to, register.psg@ihs.com. What ever way you choose, please be prepared to give us your 4 digit user-id and 3 digit registration number.
Return to top of page
Q. I recently switched from Windows 95/98 to Windows NT/2000, and my bitlock application no longer works, what happened?
A. Windows NT/2000 has a different internal architecture than Windows 95/98/ME, and requires a special driver to be installed before accessing the bitlock. We have included bitlock drivers and the utility required to install them with your application product in a self-extracting zipfile named "Rainbow.exe".
Return to top of page
Q. Can I move the application after installation?
A. You can move your application after installation, only if you have a bitlock or you unregister and uninstall the application. To receive a new installation password, you must present the unregistration number.
Return to top of page
Q. What happens if I misplace the bitlock? (This applies to hardware-protected version).
A. If you misplace the bitlock, we will assume that the copy you have is lost. Under no circumstances we replace the bitlocks for free. However, if you are current on support and the bitlock you have malfunctions, we will be happy to take a look at the bitlock and repair or replace it at no charge.
Return to top of page