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SPIDR captures build-up without scheduled shut-in!

Tue, 31 Jul 2007

An independent Gulf of Mexico Shelf operator was trying to capture pressure information on a new completion as required by the Minerals Management Service (MMS).  However production demands precluded shutting in the well just to determine skin, perm and reservoir pressure. The engineer mentioned on-going compressor issues offshore so it was suggested he look at his monthly operational report to see if there were any well/platform shut-ins that took place due to compressor shut downs.  There were numerous shut-ins of the well in question over the course of the previous month, some of which lasted more than 12 hrs.

Given the high permeability of this newly completed zone, it was estimated that a shut-in time of 6-12 hrs would be sufficient to reach radial flow and provide a good analysis for skin, permeability and P* or reservoir pressure.  Based on this information, the engineer rented a SPIDR gauge anticipating that during the rental period a shut-in would occur and it would be of sufficient duration to reach radial flow.

The SPIDR recorded multiple shut-ins over the course of the 90 day period and DRC was able to isolate 2 separate PBU’s that were suitable for analysis.  A test report was generated using inputs from the operator for gas gravity, liquid yields, and a wellbore schematic.  DRC's proprietary software allowed accurate conversion of surface pressure data to BottomHole conditions and analysis of skin, permeability and P*.

The SPIDR is quickly mobilized and easily installed by field personnel who may have no previous experience using it.   The SPIDR is the instrument of choice for pressure transient work in gas or gas condensate reservoirs offshore.

Domestic offshore pricing is structured so that the monthly rental fee is achieved after 15 days of use.  After 15 days of rental, the customer has use of the SPIDR for an additional 15 days without cost, thereby cutting the daily fee in half over the course of the month and any subsequent days after the first 30.  This pricing allows the customer to maximize data capture on 1 or more wells during the rental period.

This example of  use of the SPIDR in an offshore environment, where mobilization of conventional downhole equipment is expensive and time consuming, illustrates the opportunity to collect pressure transient data even when shut-in’s are not scheduled.  Because production managers are reluctant to shut-in production for pressure transient testing, we encourage engineers to look for opportunities to capture pressure transient data when wells are shut-in for rig moves, compressor, facility, pipeline or general maintenance work..  Even if the shut-in and PBU was not anticipated, by capturing the static shut-in pressure immediately before the well returns to production and during the subsequent drawdown, it may be possible to supply you with almost the same information as derived from a PBU.