Formation Testing: Low Mobility Pressure Transient Analysis / Edition 1

by Wilson C. Chin, Yanmin Zhou, Yongren Feng, Qiang Yu

Overview

Traditional well logging methods, such as  resistivity, acoustic, nuclear and NMR, provide indirect information related to fluid and formation properties.  The “formation tester,” offered in wireline and MWD/LWD operations, is different.  It collects actual downhole fluid samples for surface analysis, and through pressure transient analysis, provides direct measurements for pore pressure, mobility, permeability and anisotropy.  These are vital to real-time drilling safety, geosteering, hydraulic fracturing and economic analysis.

Methods for formation testing analysis, while commercially important and accounting for a substantial part of service company profits, however, are shrouded in secrecy.  Unfortunately, many are poorly constructed, and because details are not available, industry researchers are not able to improve upon them.  This new book explains conventional models and develops new powerful algorithms for “double-drawdown” and “advanced phase delay” early-time analysis - importantly, it is now possible to predict both horizontal and vertical permeabilities, plus pore pressure, within seconds of well logging in very low mobility reservoirs.  Other subjects including inertial Forchheimer effects in contamination modeling and time-dependent flowline volumes are also developed.  All of the methods are explained in complete detail.  Equations are offered for users to incorporate in their own models, but convenient, easy-to-use software is available for those needing immediate answers.

The leading author is a well known petrophysicist, with hands-on experience at Schlumberger, Halliburton, BP Exploration and other companies.  His work is used commercially at major oil service companies, and important extensions to his formation testing models have been supported by prestigious grants from the United States Department of Energy.  His new collaboration with China National Offshore Oil Corporation  marks an important turning point, where advanced simulation models and hardware are evolving side-by-side to define a new generation of formation testing logging instruments.  The present book provides more than formulations and solutions: it offers a close look at formation tester development “behind the scenes,” as the China National Offshore Oil Corporation opens up its research, engineering and manufacturing facilities through a collection of interesting photographs to show how formation testing tools are developed from start to finish.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781118925942
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	11/09/2015
Series:	Advances in Petroleum Engineering
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Wilson C. Chin, who earned his Ph.D. from M.I.T. and M.Sc. from Caltech, heads Stratamagnetic Software, LLC in Houston, which develops mathematical modeling software for formation testing, MWD telemetry, borehole electromagnetics, well logging, reservoir engineering and managed pressure drilling. He is the author of twelve books, more than one hundred papers and over forty patents.

Yanmin Zhou received her Ph.D. in Geological Resources Engineering from the University of Petroleum, Beijing, and serves as Geophysics Engineer at the China National Offshore Oil Corporation.

Yongren Feng is Chief Mechanical Engineer at the China National Offshore Oil Corporation with three decades of design experience covering a dozen logging tools. With more than one hundred patents, he serves as Project Leader for the 12th National Five Year Plan in formation tester development, and he was elected as one of China's National Technology and Innovation Leaders.

Qiang Yu earned his M.Sc. in Measurement Technology and Instrumentation from Xi'an Shiyou University and serves as Senior Control Engineer in formation testing and field operations. He is an Associate Project Leader with the China National Offshore Oil Corporation in the national formation testing program.

Table of Contents

Preface xi

Acknowledgements xiii

1 Basic Ideas, Interpretation Issues and Modeling Hierarchies 1

1.1 Background and Approaches 1

1.2 Modeling Hierarchies 5

1.3 Experimental Methods and Tool Calibration 13

1.4 References 24

2 Single-Phase Flow Forward and Inverse Algorithms 25

2.1 Overview 25

2.2 Basic Model Summaries 27

2.2.1 Module FT-00 28

2.2.2 Module FT-01 30

2.2.3 Module FT-03 30

2.2.4 Forward Model Application, Module FT-00 31

2.2.5 Inverse Model Application, Module FT-01 33

2.2.6 Eff ects of Dip Angle 35

2.2.7 Inverse “Pulse Interaction” Approach Using FT-00 37

2.2.8 Computational Notes 40

2.2.9 Source Model Limitations and More Complete Model 41

2.2.10 Phase Delay Analysis, Module FT-04 43

2.2.11 Drawdown-Buildup, Module FT-PTA-DDBU 45

2.2.12 Real Pumping, Module FT-06 48

2.2.13 Closing Remarks 50

2.2.14 References 50

3 Advanced Drawdown and Buildup Interpretation in Low Mobility Environments 51

3.1 Basic Steady Flow Model 51

3.2 Transient Spherical Flow Models 53

3.2.1 Forward or Direct Analysis 53

3.2.2 Dimensionless Formulation 54

3.2.3 Exact Solutions for Direct Problem 55

3.2.4 Special Limit Solutions 56

3.2.5 New Inverse Approach for Mobility and Pore Pressure Prediction 58

3.3 Multiple-Drawdown Pressure Analysis (Patent Pending) 59

3.3.1 Background on Existing Models 59

3.3.2 Extension to Anisotropic, No-Skin Applications 60

3.3.2.1 Method 1 - Drawdown-Alone Test 61

3.3.2.2 Method 2 - Single-Drawdown-Single-Buildup Test 62

3.3.2.3 Method 3 - Double-Drawdown-Single-Buildup Test 62

3.4 Forward Analysis with Illustrative Calibration 64

3.5 Mobility and Pore Pressure Using First Drawdown Data 66

3.5.1 Run No. 1, Flowline Volume 200 Cc 66

3.5.2 Run No. 2, Flowline Volume 500 Cc 69

3.5.3 Run No. 3, Flowline Volume 1,000 Cc 71

3.5.4 Run No. 4, Flowline Volume 2,000 Cc 73

3.6 Mobility and Pore Pressure from Last Buildup Data 74

3.6.1 Run No. 5, Flowline Volume 200 Cc 74

3.6.2 Run No. 6, Flowline Volume 500 Cc 76

3.6.3 Run No. 7, Flowline Volume 1,000 Cc 77

3.6.4 Run No. 8, Flowline Volume 2,000 Cc 78

3.6.5 Run No. 9, Time-Varying Flowline Volume 79

3.7 Tool Calibration in Low Mobility Applications 81

3.7.1 Steady Flow Model 81

3.7.2 Example 1, Calibration Using Early-Time Buildup Data 81

3.7.3 Example 2, Calibration Using Early-Time Buildup Data 86

3.7.4 Example 3, Example 1 Using Drawdown Data 89

3.7.5 Example 4, Example 2 Using Drawdown Data 91

3.8 Closing Remarks 93

3.9 References 94

4 Phase Delay and Amplitude Attenuation for Mobility Prediction in Anisotropic Media with Dip (Patent Pending) 95

4.1 Basic Mathematical Results 96

4.1.1 Isotropic Model 96

4.1.2 Anisotropic Equations 98

4.1.3 Vertical Well Solution 99

4.1.4 Horizontal Well Solution 100

4.1.5 Formulas for Vertical and Horizontal Wells 101

4.1.6 Deviated Well Equations 101

4.1.7 Deviated Well Interpretation for Both Kh and Kv 103

4.1.8 Two-Observation-Probe Models 105

4.2 Numerical Examples and Typical Results 107

4.2.1 Example 1, Parameter Estimates 108

4.2.2 Example 2, Surface Plots 109

4.2.3 Example 3, Sinusoidal Excitation 110

4.2.4 Example 4, Rectangular Wave Excitation 113

4.2.5 Example 5, Permeability Prediction at General Dip Angles 115

4.2.6 Example 6, Solution for a Random Input 117

4.3 Layered Model Formulation 118

4.3.1 Homogeneous Medium, Basic Mathematical Ideas 118

4.3.2 Boundary Value Problem for Complex Pressure 120

4.3.3 Iiterative Numerical Solution to General Formulation 120

4.3.4 Successive Line Over Relaxation Procedure 121

4.3.5 Advantages of the Scheme 122

4.3.6 Extensions to Multiple Layers 122

4.3.7 Extensions to Complete Formation Heterogeneity 123

4.4 Phase Delay Software Interface 123

4.4.1 Output File Notes 126

4.4.2 Special User Features 126

4.5 Detailed Phase Delay Results in Layered Anisotropic Media 127

4.6 Typical Experimental Results 134

4.7 Closing Remarks - Extensions and Additional Applications 138

4.8 References 139

5 Four Permeability Prediction Methods 140

5.1 Steady-State Drawdown Example 142

5.2 Early-Time, Low-Mobility Drawdown-Buildup 144

5.3 Early-Time, Low-Mobility Drawdown Approach 147

5.4 Phase Delay, Non-Ideal Rectangular Flow Excitation 148

6 Multiphase Flow with Inertial Effects 151

6.1 Physical Problem Description 152

6.1.1 The Physical Problem 152

6.1.2 Job Planning Considerations 154

6.1.3 Modeling Challenges 155

6.1.4 Simulation Objectives 156

6.1.5 Modeling Overview 157

6.2 Immiscible Flow Formulation 159

6.2.1 Finite Difference Solution 160

6.2.2 Formation Tester Application 161

6.2.3 Mudcake Growth and Formation Coupling at Sandface 163

6.2.4 Pumpout Model for Single-Probe Pad Nozzles 165

6.2.5 Dual Probe and Packer Surface Logic 166

6.3 Miscible Flow Formulation 168

6.4 Inertial Effects With Forchheimer Corrections 169

6.4.1 Governing Differential Equations 169

6.4.2 Pumpout Boundary Condition 171

6.4.3 Boundary Value Problem Summary 172

6.5 References 173

7 Multiphase Flow - Miscible Mixing Clean-Up Examples 175

7.1 Overview Capabilities 175

7.1.1 Example 1, Single Probe, Infinite Anisotropic Media 176

7.1.2 Example 2, Single Probe, Three Layer Medium 181

7.1.3 Example 3, Dual Probe Pumping, Three Layer Medium 183

7.1.4 Example 4, Straddle Packer Pumping 185

7.1.5 Example 5, Formation Fluid Viscosity Imaging 187

7.1.6 Example 6, Contamination Modeling 188

7.1.7 Example 7, Multi-Rate Pumping Simulation 189

7.2 Source Code and User Interface Improvements 191

7.2.1 User Data Input Panel 191

7.2.2 Source Code Engine Changes 193

7.2.3 Output Color Graphics 195

7.3 Detailed Applications 200

7.3.1 Run No. 1, Clean-Up, Single-Probe, Uniform Medium 200

7.3.2 Run No. 2, Clean-Up, Dual-Probe, Uniform Medium 209

7.3.3 Run No. 3, Clean-Up, Elongated Pad, Uniform Medium 213

7.3.4 Run No. 4, A Minimal Invasion Example 218

7.3.5 Run No. 5, A Single-Phase Fluid, Constant Viscosity example 222

7.3.6 Run No. 6, A Low-Permeability “Supercharging” Example 224

7.3.7 Run No. 7, A Three-Layer Simulation 226

8 Time-Varying Flowline Volume 229

8.1 Transient Anisotropic Formulation for Ellipsoidal Source 230

8.1.1 Formulation for Liquids and Gases 230

8.1.2 Similarity Transform 232

8.1.3 Transient Flow Numerical Modeling 233

8.1.4 Finite Difference Equation 234

8.1.5 Boundary Condition - Flowline Storage With and Without Skin Effects 235

8.1.6 Detailed Time Integration Scheme 236

8.1.7 Observation Probe Response 237

8.2 FT-06 Software Interface and Example Calculations 238

8.3 Time-Varying Flowline Volume Model 244

8.3.1 Example 1, Software Calibration 245

8.3.2 Example 2, Simple Interpretation Using Numerical Pressure Data 252

8.3.3 Example 3, Simple Interpretation Using Numerical Pressure Data 255

8.3.4 Example 4, Simple Interpretation Using Low Permeability Data 257

8.3.5 Example 5, Simple Interpretation Using Numerical Pressure Data 258

8.3.6 Example 6, Simple Interpretation Using Numerical Pressure Data 262

8.3.7 Example 7, Enhancing Phase Delay Detection In Very Low Permeability Environments 264

9 Closing Remarks 270

References 281

Index 287

About the Authors 293