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Taking Advantage of Unplanned Shut-ins in the Gulf

By Adam Swartley | Wed, 6 Aug 2008

 Is it possible to see your next unplanned shut-in as a blessing in disguise?

When operating oil and gas properties in the Gulf of Mexico and along the US Gulf Coast, storms and hurricanes are an unfortunate eventuality.  The inescapable reality of hurricane season is the possibility of having to shut-in a well. Normally, the disruption of production is not something that operators are willing to do for the sake of routine well analysis.  In addition to production interruptions caused by weather issues in the Gulf there are other opportunities to capture pressure data associated with routine pipeline, facilities shutdowns or even rig moves that occur on a routine or "as needed" basis, which require a well to be shut-in.

It is important to plan ahead and take advantage of these weather and facilities related shut-ins to gather quality reservoir information that otherwise would be lost.  Unfortunately, the operator may not have sufficient notice of the resumption of well production to call out a SPIDR gauge. To avoid this problem, DRC proposes that SPIDR gauges be installed in advance of returning to production for those wells of interest. There will be NO CHARGE for up to 7 days for a SPIDR gauge until the well is brought on-line.  After the well is brought on-line, we require a minimum 5 day rental period.

Data Retrieval Corporation's SPIDR Surface Well Testing System is the ideal system to utilize for Gas and Gas Condensate Wells that flow and unload produced fluids, it is a NO RISK and LOW COST alternative to running wire and gauges downhole. When the wells are ready to bring back online, the installation of a SPIDR beforehand provides the opportunity to obtain a static reservoir pressure.  However, the maximum benefit to be derived from the extended shut-in is a 30 day draw-down.  The extended draw-down can determine not only skin and permeability, but also reservoir boundaries and other reservoir properties.

To determine if a particular well is suitable for surface drawdown testing, we require the following information:

1)      Recent Production History (or at least last test separator rates & pressures)

2)      Tubing Schematic

3)      Deviation Survey (if > 45° deviation)

4)      Line Pressure

5)      Estimated SITP

The SPIDR well testing system can be delivered anywhere on the USA Gulf Coast on the same day as receipt of order. We always have gauges on hand for immediate delivery.