Multiprobe Pressure Analysis and Interpretation

 

by

Tao Lu, Minggao Zhou, Yongren Feng and Yuqing Yang

China Oilfield Services Limited, Beijing

and

 

Wilson Chin

Stratamagnetic Software, LLC, Houston, Texas

 

 

 

October 2020

 

John Wiley & Sons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

Preface viii

Acknowledgements xi

1. Formation Testing Background, Perspectives and New

Industry Requirements . 1

1.1 Formation Testing A Brief Introduction 1

1.2 Conventional Formation Testing Concepts 6

1.3 A New Triple Probe Tool Design Concepts and Well

Logging Advantages 7

1.3.1 Azimuthal flow signal strength

(circumferential probes) 9

1.3.2 Axial signal strength (centerline oriented dual

probes) 14

1.3.3 Hardware and software considerations

simulation considerations 21

1.3.4 Closing remarks 24

1.4 References 24

 

2. Visual Tour in Formation Testing, Design and

Manufacturing 25

2.1 Detailed Mechanical CAD Animation 26

2.2 From Drawing Board to Engineering Prototyping 35

2.3 Manufacturing Highlights and Production 39

2.4 Laboratory Facilities with Formation Testing

Fixtures 40

2.5 Beijing Test Well and Logging Facilities 42

2.6 Tool Positioning in Beijing Test Well 44

2.7 Field Operations Bohai Bay and Middle East 45

2.8 Closing Remarks 48

2.9 References 48

 

3. Triple Probe Formation Tester from Idea to Design to

Field Evaluation 49

3.1 Laboratory Highlights Triple Probe Formation

Tester 50

3.2 Triple Probe Close-ups in Field Test 53

3.3 Positioning the Tool in the Well 56

3.4 Example Pressure Testing Well Logs 59

3.5 References 61

 

4. Project Background Analysis, Modeling and

Interpretation 62

4.1 Well Logging Advantages 64

4.2 Math Model Perspectives 65

4.3 Related Formation Testing Literature 68

4.4 Background Schlumberger Results 71

4.5 Analysis of MDT Pressure Data 73

4.6 References 74

 

5. Dual Probe Analysis for Thamama Formation 76

5.1 Thamama Formation Problem Definition 76

5.2 FT-Multiprobe Simulation 78

5.3 FT-00 Forward Simulation 87

5.4 FT-01 Inverse Analysis 89

5.5 References 91

 

6. Dual Probe Application for Wara Formation . 92

6.1 Wave Formation Data Description 92

6.2 FT-Multiprobe History Matching 93

6.3 FT-00 and FT-01 Analysis for Sink and Vertical

Probe Data 100

6.4 References 103

 

7. Multiprobe Flow Modeling Strategies 104

7.1 Triple-probe Formation Testing Instrument 104

7.1.1 Background remarks 104

7.1.2 Multiprobe tool introduction 106

7.2 Dual and Triple-probe Steady Flow Modeling 112

7.2.1 Background Sources, sinks, doublets and more 112

7.2.2 Modeling hierarchies 112

7.2.3 Exact steady flow pressure analysis 114

7.2.4 Exact streamline tracing and geometric analysis 117

7.2.5 Unbalanced doublet flows a new approach 118

7.3 Transient Numerical Model 123

7.3.1 Simulator overview 123

7.3.2 Computational details 125

7.3.3 Flowline volume storage modeling 125

7.3.4 Active flowline volume coupling at

observation probes 126

7.3.5 Mud filtrate invasion and supercharging, and

underbalanced drilling 126

7.3.6 Periodicity conditions in flows from circular

wells 127

7.4 References 130

 

8. Multiprobe Applications Detailed Examples and

Assessment 132

8.1 Drawdown for Round and Slot Nozzles With and Without

Mud Filtrate Migration Through the Sandface 134

Example 1. Simple drawdown, round nozzle, no

invasion 134

Example 2. Simple drawdown, round nozzle, invasion

with supercharging, 200 psi overbalance 143

Example 3. Simple drawdown, round nozzle, invasion with

strong supercharging, 2,000 psi

overbalance 147

Example 4. Simple drawdown, round nozzle, underbalanced

drilling, 100 psi underbalance 149

Example 5. Simple drawdown, slot nozzle, no

invasion 151

Example 6. Simple drawdown, three pumping slot nozzles,

no invasion 156

8.2 Highly Transient Applications, Drawdown and Buildup,

Multiple Round or Slot Nozzles, No Invasion 160

Example 7. Simple drawdown and buildup, single round

nozzle 160

Example 8. Three round nozzles executing drawdown and

buildup simultaneously and independently,

no invasion 165

Example 9. Two round nozzles, one withdrawing fluid, the

second simultaneously injecting, no

invasion 170

Example 10. Invasion or supercharge characterization

in transient problems 174

8.3 Additional Topics 178

Example 11. A complicated simulation, effect of pore pressure

in output displays 178

Example 12. Batch processing capabilities 183

Example 13. Spherical flow evaluation and geometric

factors 191

Example 14. Pressure behavior at permeability

extremes 194

Example 15. Comparing problems with and without

supercharge 197

 

9. Special Topics Gas Release, Convergence Acceleration,

Big Data and Inverse Methods 200

9.1 Suppressing Dissolved Gas Release 201

Bubble point considerations 201

Example 1. Undesirable dissolved gas release 202

Example 2. Dissolved gas remains in solution 207

9.2 Steady Flow Convergence Acceleration for Interpretation

Applications 212

Interpretation applications 213

Validating convergence accelerations 214

Big data inverse applications 219

9.3 Heterogeneity and Dip Detection Using Multiple Firings 219

9.4 Triple Probe Tools with Different Nozzle Geometries 225

9.5 Inverse Problems for Azimuthal and Axial Probe

Applications 229

9.5.1 Azimuthal inverse problem 229

Steady flow forward calculations 231

Limited (kh,kv) range example 231

Inverse permeability predictions 241

Algorithm analysis 241

Wider (kh,kv) permeability example 247

Inverse method recapitulation 251

Data integrity in "big data" implementation 254

Azimuthal inverse strategies 256

9.5.2 Axial inverse problem for any dip angle 257

9.5.2.1 Dual probe anisotropy inverse analysis 257

Existing source model simulators 258

9.5.2.2 Supercharging Effects of nonuniform initial

pressure 267

Conventional zero supercharge model 268

Supercharge "Fast Forward" solver 269

9.5.2.3 Multiprobe "DOI," inverse and barrier

analysis 275

 

9.6 Closing Remarks 282

9.7 References 283

10. Integrated Multiprobe Modeling System 284

Section 1 General transient 3D simulator 286

10.1 Overall Capabilities and Enhancements 286

10.2 The "Steady" Check-box Option for Low and High

Permeability Flows 291

    1. Flows with Mixed Nozzle Designs and Different

Pumping Schedules 294

Run 1. All round nozzles with staggered flow rates 294

Run 2. All slotted nozzles with staggered flow rates 296

Run 3. All slotted nozzles with identical flow rates 297

Run 4. Slot, round, slot combination with identical

flow rates 300

Run 5. Round, slot, round combination with identical

flow rates 301

10.4 Geometric Factor Role in Model and Tool Calibration 303

10.4.1 Model calibration 303

10.4.2 Tool and software calibration 306

10.5 Pad Nozzles with Different Orifice Sizes and Shapes 307

10.6 Pore Pressure Determination with Triple Probe Tool

and Effects of Supercharge 309

Section 2 Steady Simulator and Inverse

Applications . 312

10.7 Software Reference Overview 312

10.8 General Transient 3D Simulator in Batch Mode 315

10.9 Rapid Steady 3D Simulator in Batch Mode 319

10.10 Big Data Inverse Approach and Examples 333

10.10.1 Run 1. Center pumping probe, two

observation probes with a first viscosity guess 333

10.10.2 Run 2. Center pumping probe, two

observation probes with a second viscosity guess 348

10.10.3 Run 3. Three pumping probes in drawdown

mode 350

10.10.4 Run 4. Two pumping probes in drawdown

mode 359

 

10.11 Closing Remarks 361

 

Cumulative References 362

Index 377

About the Authors 387