US 6,305,470 B1Granted

Method and apparatus for production testing involving first and second permeable formations

AssigneeShore-Tec AS

InventorRune Woie

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

When production testing a permeable first formation, fluid flowing out from the first formation is subjected to a pressure measurement and a flow rate control. In order to avoid bringing up the fluid flowing out during the production test to a surface position, where the fluid's inherent explosion and fire risk as well as poisonousness could cause substantial problems, a fluid flow path is arranged for fluid transfer only between the first and second formations. The fluid flow path which, in a suitable apparatus, is constituted by a channel-forming pipe. From this channel, the second permeable formation receives the fluid and keeps it for some time. In the position of use, the apparatus is assigned sealing devices such as annulus packers, which are placed such that fluid flow between the formations is limited to only follow the fluid flow path.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A production test method for production testing an expected permeable first formation subjected to subsurface formation pressure, said first formation being penetrated by a well, comprising:

establishing at least one defined fluid flow channel between said first formation and a permeable second formation subjected to subsurface formation pressure, said second formation also being penetrated by the well, and said formations being situated at different levels of the well, which formations are expected not to be in fluid communication with one another outside of the well, the fluid flow channel(s) thus providing the only fluid communication means between said formations;
conducting, entirely within the well, a reservoir fluid provided by the first formation through said fluid flow channel(s) to the permeable second formation, which second formation receives and keeps said fluid at least temporarily, utilizing, in a well situation where the formation pressure of the first formation exceeds the formation pressure of the second formation, a natural formation pressure differential between said formations to conduct said fluid, or utilizing, in a well situation where the formation pressure of the first formation is less than the formation pressure of the second formation, or in a well situation where the pressure of the first formation is insufficient for providing fluid flow, a pump means connected to said at least one fluid flow channel to provide sufficient pressure to conduct said fluid between said formations;
and
subjecting said reservoir fluid flowing between said formations and along said fluid flow channel(s) to production test measurements, including measurements of fluid pressure and flow rate.

1 more element

An apparatus to be mounted in a well penetrating an expected permeable first formation to be production tested and, at a different level of the well, a permeable second formation, both formations being subjected to subsurface formation pressures, which formations are expected not to be in fluid communication with one another outside of the well, comprising:

at least one channel-forming pipe positioned within a surrounding bore hole or casing of the well, the or each channel-forming pipe extending between the first and second formations and being provided with at least one opening adjacent said first formation, and at least one opening adjacent said second formation;
sealing means positioned with said channel-forming pipe(s), which means are sealingly arranged within the well to provide flow restrictions that confine a reservoir fluid to flowing between said formations through said channel-forming pipe(s) and openings only;
control means positioned with said channel-forming pipe(s), the control means controlling fluid flow rate through said channel-forming pipe(s);
and
at least one sensor or meter provided with said channel-forming pipe(s) for sensing, measuring or recording at least one property of said fluid flowing through said channel-forming pipe(s), including measurements of fluid pressure and fluid flow rate.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.