High Permeability Gas Wells

Monitoring High Permeability Completions

Pressure Transient Testing of high permeability gas producers is one of the most common applications for DRC's SPIDR.  Running wire and pressure gauges downhole is the conventional method for pressure testing a well and this brings it's own list of risks along with significant expense. We define high permeability gas wells as any permeability above ~ 100 md. High permeability gas producers are often completed with using some type of sand control completion.  Cased hole gravel pack or open hole pre-pack screen.  These packs and screens can be a source of reduced flow efficiency and thus demand a regular schedule of transient testing to track these reductions and plan remedial action accordingly.

Risk Factors for High Permeability Completions

There are many concerns related to managing high permeability gas wells. Some common risks are;

• Fines migrating towards the gravel pack (skin) and reducing flow efficiency
• Reservoir compaction (reduction of permeability),
• Reservoir turbulence (non-Darcy skin)
  
• Changing reservoir pressure

All of these risks are reasons why it is important to employ regular interval pressure transient testing on high permeability gas wells.  It is also important to minimize drawdown at the completion to avoid not only the possible failure of the completion but also the prevention of premature water breakthrough.  It is not uncommon to set realistic maximum drawdowns of between 10 and 20% of reservoir pressure for flowing bottomhole pressures.  These are set as a safety margin to minimize failure of the completion and potential failure of the wellbore.

Reducing the Risks for High Permeability Gas Wells

Reducing or mitigating these risks boils down to having accurate and consistent data on the well itself. This is where the SPIDR system shines. The ability to have regular pressure transient monitoring of the well gives the well engineers the ability to make decisions that ensure both the safety and efficiency of the well. The SPIDR is the perfect solution because it offers extremely accurate data, simple implementation, and all of this at an extremely low cost. Compared to traditional down-hole monitoring, the safety, efficiency and cost make it the only solution used by many in the industry today. Contact Us Today to find out if the SPIDR is the right solution for your well.