Maximus 7.0 - Physics based Multiphase Flow Simulator

Released: June 2019
Maintained until June 2022

About Maximus

Maximus is a very powerful and versatile compositional and black oil production and flow assurance modelling software, capable of simulating the whole production and transport facilities network, from the reservoir to the early stages of separation, throughout the life of the field. Through the native integration of Multiflash and its field planning modelling capabilities, production and flow assurance engineers and project managers can easily model in details the entire asset and access relevant information for their discipline to optimize decision making and minimize the risks associated with production such as formation of solids (hydrates, waxes, asphaltenes, scales etc.), corrosion/erosion of the facilities and other potential obstacles to the correct operations and optimal field development. Engineers can also easily assess options, perform “what if” analyses and compare operating scenarios and design choices, in order to make the best choice, based on the business objectives previously set, and within the real constraints of the asset.

What's new in Maximus 7.0

The release of the version 7.0 of the KBC engineering suite marks a major step in the development of the new generation of our production and process simulation software. The release focuses strongly on capabilities and workflows integration to enable engineers to seamlessly transfer information across the disciplines between production, flow assurance and process engineering. With the release of v7.0, the Maximus network capabilities become also part of Petro-SIM through its incorporation in the hydraulic subflowsheet, which allows engineers to create and run Maximus models within Petro-SIM.

Aside the integration with Petro-SIM, Maximus 7.0 focuses also on several other topics of development aimed at extending its range of capabilities and simplifying internal workflows and enhancing the user experience, to allow simpler and more effective models building and maintenance. We introduce, for instance, the well stabilizer, which allows to estimate the minimum conditions for stable flow in a specific branch (or set of branches).

In terms of modelling capabilities and architectural changes, the integration of the latest version of Multiflash-MT (Multiflash 7.0) allows significant acceleration through wide adoption of multi-thread simulation. V7.0 introduces also a new variant of the Beggs and Brills correleation and the Weymouth and Panhandle model for single phase gas flows. The Salama (2000) and API14E erosion models are also included.

We updated the version of OLGAS and LedaPM to include OLGAS 2016 and LedaPM 2.3 and introduced several enhancements to the user interface and to single unit operations, to extend their modelling capabilities and accuracy and simplify their utilization.

List of changes in Maximus 7.0

  • Integration with Multiflash 7.0 MT - Which includes a significant performance improvement when modelling hydrates and wax phases.
  • A new Well Stabiliser object that allows you to specify subsections of the network to run simultaneously with the main model to run computationally expensive calculations (e.g., minimum stable flowrate).
  • Two new global horizontal single phase gas flow correlations - Weymouth and Panhandle.
  • Three new versions of OLGAS - 2015.1, 2015.2, and 2016.1.
  • Two new versions of LedaPM - 2.2.253.019, and 2.3.254.017.
  • Added a new variant of the Beggs and Brill (Original, Revised, and FEESA) flow correlation which do not cap the Froude value.
  • Maximum relative permeability can now be taken into account when calculating the flowrate through a connector between tanks.
  • Added the option to use the effective viscosity of wax in the oil phase to be taken into account when running a simulation.
  • Added the ability to calculate erosional values using the Salama(2000) or API14E equations.
  • Added "Outlet Pressure" as a new pigging criteria for use in the FloWax object. Also added a series of new outputs (including end composition) to the results and profile results.
  • If you are a Petro‑SIM user, you are able to connect with Maximus via the Maximus sub-flowsheet
  • Further enhancements to the Compressor object to align with the Petro‑SIM Compressor.
  • Added the ability to interact with Maximus via Open Interface using command line and the MaxCMD application.
  • Several other minor improvements and bug fixes.