Subsea Well Testing at the Subsea Tree - SPE 77626

By Nathan Waldman, SPE, Data Retrieval Corp., Chris Fair, SPE, Data Retrieval Corp., Charlie Tyrrell, Oceaneering | Thu, 9 Jun 2005

Abstract

Operators are often presented with a dilemma when installing
instrumentation in a subsea well. Do they install permanent
downhole gauges? If so, is there a back-up plan in the
eventuality that the downhole gauge fails. In the past, when a
downhole gauge on a subsea well failed, the back-up plan has
either been to "fly blind" or to rely on low-accuracy
measurements from subsea tree gauges or pipeline gauges
(which can also fail). While tree or pipeline gauges may be
adequate to determine if the well is flowing, they are rarely of
sufficient accuracy and resolution to optimize production from
the well. The need for high resolution, accurate pressure data
is greatest in high permeability wells and in unconsolidated
sandstones, where the production of sand can be catastrophic.

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