Numerical modeling of self-potential in heterogeneous reservoirs

Monitoring water movement toward production wells through downhole measurements of self-potential (SP) was a promising new technology. However, there were uncertainties about its applicability in heterogeneous, multilayered reservoirs. Using numerical modeling, we investigated the likely magnitude and behavior of SP during oil production supported by water injection in two different models of such reservoirs. We found that the magnitude of the SP signal that would be measured along a production well increased as water approached the well, exceeding an assumed noise level of 0.1 mV before water breakthrough. We also found that, in the reservoir models tested, the maximum value of SP at the well skewed toward the fastest waterfront before water breakthrough. The trend of SP increasing at the well with time, together with the shape of the SP profile, were the prime indicators used to investigate water movement. In the reservoir models tested, before water breakthrough the fastest approaching waterfront could be detected approximately 20 m away from the well. However, subsequent waterfronts approaching the well in other layers could not be detected before breakthrough. The effect of these later waterfronts on the SP profile at the well was only detectable at breakthrough. We attributed this to the fact that the SP generated in these layers is masked by the high SP created by the fastest waterfront. Our findings emphasized the importance of an enhanced understanding of reservoir geology and rock electrical properties for better prediction and interpretation of SP.

Overcoming Challenges of Mechanical Lifting Capabilities on Offshore Installation by Utilizing Coiled Tubing Boat Spooling Technique

Coiled tubing (CT) operations in the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) often require a long and large-outside-diameter pipe due to big diameter completions, deep wells, and the need for high annular velocity during fluid circulation. However, getting the CT string onboard becomes a challenge when the crane lifting limit is 35 t, and using a standalone crane barge increases the cost of the operation. The alternative is spooling the CT from a vessel to the platform. Boat spooling is done by placing the CT string on a floating vessel with dynamic positioning while the standard CT injector head is secured at the edge of the platform to pull the pipe from the vessel to an empty CT reel on the platform. The boat is equipped with a CT guide; special tension clamps; and an emergency disconnect system, which consists of a standard CT shear-seal blowout preventer. The technique requires careful study of the platform structure for placement of the injector head support frame, metocean data of the field, and equipment placement on the vessel and platform. The boat spooling operation of a 7,700-m long, 58.7-t, 2.375-in.-outside-diameter CT string was successfully executed for a platform at 70-m height from mean sea level. The total operating time from hooking up the vessel to successfully spooling the string only took 12 hours. Historically for the region, the method has been attempted in sea state of up to 4-m wave height and 16 knots maximum wind speed. For this operation, the spooling was carried out during an average sea state of 2-m wave height and 15-knot wind speed. The continuous CT string allows a telemetry cable to be installed inside the pipe after the CT is spooled onto the platform reel, enabling real-time downhole measurements during the intervention. Such installation is not possible or presents high risk if the CT string is taken onboard by splicing two sections of pipe together with a spoolable connector or butt welding. From a cost perspective, the boat-spooling operation had up to 80% direct cost saving for the operator when compared to other methods of lifting a single CT string onboard, such as using a motion-compensated barge crane. The planning for the boat spooling included several essential contingency plans. Performing a CT boat spooling operation in a complex environment is possible and opens new opportunities to use longer and heavier CT strings, with lower mobilization costs. Such strings enable more advanced and efficient interventions, with the option of using real-time CT downhole measurements during the execution of a wide range of production startup work. This, in turn, is critical to support the drilling of more extended reach wells, which allow access to untapped reservoirs.

A Methodology that Enables Real Time Large Volume Reservoir Testing for Deeper Reservoir Targets in Old Wells Without Damaging the Existing Upper Reservoir Layers

Pressure transient testing has been significantly revamped and various types have been applied for numerous motives over the past decades. In this paper, a methodology and adapted technology have been discussed in detail for enabling downhole testing operations with existing open perforations above the test packer. This methodology enabled successful downhole testing operations where conventional annulus hydraulic pressure pulse system was ruled out for numerous reasons, such as existence of perforated zones above zone of interest and/or well integrity constraints. The proposed method is based on an acoustic, wireless, bi-directional downhole to surface communication telemetry system. The process utilizes acoustic signals to control downhole tools and transmits downhole measurements in real time through a secured network connection. The procedure used in this well testing methodology is proven successful in numerous well test operations for exploration and appraisal wells in Algeria. The continuously unfolding downhole data has enabled end users and stake holders to take actions and decisions that maximized the value gain while optimizing the test durations and drilling rig utilizations. The successful application of this proposed methodology has enabled parameter estimation during the execution phase of the well testing operations. Data measured in real time is coupled with reservoir engineering interpretation to ensure meaningful sub-surface evaluation. Wellbore dynamics and several other inherent noise sources have been successfully identified to avoid snags of misinterpretation. Wells needing stimulation treatment or longer clean-up durations to enhance the well to reservoir communication quality have been handily identified in real time. The methodology has proven hydrocarbon existence in unexplored layers while enabling incorporation of additional test objectives with further assessments of zones of interest. Real time data greatly reduced uncertainties in well behavior and assisted in informed-decision-making process to adapt well test programs in real time. All well testing objectives were achieved by addressing various challenges that are inherent to conventional memory mode downhole testing operations. The methodology presented will enable the downhole testing operations through drill stem testing (DST) in complex wellbore geometries where conventional well testing approaches were rendered unattainable. The proposed solutions will warrant downhole testing of previously un-appraised formation layers that are overlain by perforated producing reservoirs. The methodology is described in detail and systematically so that the procedure and learnings from Algerian hydrocarbon producing basins can be adapted and applied to other well tests elsewhere around the globe.

An Industry First - A Successful Managed Pressure Horizontal Open Hole Gravel Pack Project: Its Preparation, Integration, Modeling, Procedures, and Execution Results

This paper presents how a Controlled Mud Level (CML) Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) system was used to place Horizontal Open Hole Gravel Packs (HzOHGP) in low Pore Pressure Frac Gradient (PPFG) margin reservoirs. This industry-first accomplishment took extensive preparation and precise on-site coordination between CML and gravel pack operations. In the target reservoirs, the margin between the pore and fracture pressures is too small to place gravel packs using conventional methods. CML was identified as an opportunity to resolve this problem. A primary design phase goal was to develop a deep understanding of the flow paths and fluid properties at every stage of the gravel pack operation. This information is critical to evaluating the frictional pressure drops effecting the pressure in the open hole. The team developed procedures that incorporated step rate tests and real-time downhole measurements to calibrate the friction models, which were then used to precisely control the CML during the pumping jobs. CML was able to limit the downhole treating pressures to stay within the low PPFG limits. The post-job analyses showed that total screen coverage was achieved for all the jobs in the campaign, demonstrating the project team's high level of coordination, cooperation, and cross-discipline understanding. While the industry had adopted CML and HzOHGP systems separately prior to this project, this operation marks the first time they have been combined.

New geophysical memory-logging system for highly unstable and inclined scientific exploration drilling

We established a cable-free memory-logging system for drill-string-deployed geophysical borehole measurements. For more than 20 years, various so-called “logging while tripping” (LWT) techniques have been available in the logging service industry. However, this method has rarely been used in scientific drilling, although it enables logging in deviated and unstable boreholes, such as in lacustrine sediment drilling projects. LWT operations have a far lower risk of damage or loss of downhole logging equipment compared with the common wireline logging. For this purpose, we developed, tested, and commissioned a modular memory-logging system that does not require drill string modifications, such as special collars, and can be deployed in standard wireline core drilling diameters (HQ, bit size of 96 mm, and PQ, bit size of 123 mm). The battery-powered, autonomous sondes register the profiles of the natural GR (gamma radiation) spectrum, sonic velocity, magnetic susceptibility, electric resistivity, temperature, and borehole inclination in high quality while they are pulled out along with the drill string. As a precise depth measurement carried out in the drill rig is just as important as the actual petrophysical downhole measurements, we developed depth-measuring devices providing a high accuracy of less than 0.1 m deviation from the wireline-determined depth. Moreover, the modular structure of the system facilitates sonde deployment in online mode for wireline measurements.

Real-Time Prediction of Mud Motor Failure Using Surface Sensor Data Features and Trends

Mud motor failure is a significant contributor to non-productive time in lower-cost land drilling operations, e.g. in North America. Typically, motor failure prevention methodologies range from re-designing or performing sophisticated analytical modeling of the motor power section, to modeling motor performance using high-frequency downhole measurements. In this paper, we present data analytics methods to detect and predict motor failures ahead of time using primarily surface drilling measurements.We studied critical drilling and non-drilling events as applicable to motor failure. The impacts of mud motor stalls and drill-off times were investigated during on-bottom drilling. For the off-bottom analysis, the impact of variations in connection practices (pick up practices, time spent backreaming, and time spent exposing the tools to damaging vibrations) was investigated. The relative importance of the various features found to be relevant was calculated and incorporated into a real-time mud motor damage index.A historical drilling dataset, consisting of surface data collected from 45 motor runs in lateral hole sections of unconventional shale wells drilled in early to mid-2019, was used in this study. These motor runs contained a mix of failure and non-failure cases. The model was found to accurately predict motor failure due to motor wear and tear. Generally, the higher the magnitude of the impact stalls experienced by the mud motor, the greater the probability of eventual failure. Variations in connection practices were found not to be a major wear-and-tear factor. However, it was found that connection practices varied significantly and were often driller-dependent.The overall result shows that simple surface drilling parameters can be used to predict mud motor failure. Hence, the value derived from surface sensor information for mud motor management can be maximized without the need to run more costly downhole sensors. In addition to this cost optimization, drillers can now monitor motor degradation in real-time using the new mud motor index described here.

Improved Drilling Operations with Wired Drill Pipe and Along-String Measurements – Learnings and Highlights from Multiple North Sea Deployments

Over the last few years, multiple wells have been drilled in the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) and the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS) using wired drill pipe (WDP). This paper captures highlights from using real-time downhole measurements provided by WDP, for improved drilling operations. It presents learnings on how WDP measurements have been used in the operator's decision process. As part of WDP, along-string measurement subs (ASM) are equipped with temperature, annular/internal pressure, rotation and vibrations sensors. Data is transmitted to surface at high speed and is available in real-time, even when flow is off. The data provide great insight into the hole conditions along the drill string and at the bottom hole assembly (BHA). Based on this insight, drilling parameters at surface can be accurately adjusted, resulting in increased overall efficiency. Large data amounts can be communicated to and from surface with negligible time delay and independent from fluid circulation. Displaying the downhole measurements in real-time, both at the rig site and in remote operations centers has proven essential when optimising well construction activities. All parties need to access the same information in real-time. Moreover, the data need to be presented in an intuitive manner that enable improved operational decisions. To maximize WDP values, the Operator has learned that downhole data must be used to adjust drilling operations in real-time.

Analysis of Torsional Stick-Slip Situations from Recorded Downhole Rotational Speed Measurements

Summary The use of recorded downhole rotational speed measurements with a bandwidth up to 9 Hz gives new insights into the conditions under which stick-slip torsional oscillations occur. Observations made while drilling two reservoir sections have shown that, out of all the stick-slip situations identified, 72% of them for one well and 64% for the other well occurred in off-bottom conditions. In these off-bottom conditions, stick-slip was systematically observed while starting the topdrive (TD) until a sufficiently high TD rotational velocity was requested. For these two sections, off-bottomstick-slip was either related to using TD speeds below 120 rev/min or to reaming down during reciprocation procedures. In on-bottom conditions, stick-slip events occurred predominantly when the TD speed was less than 120 rev/min (53 and 32% of the on-bottom cases) but also in association with downlinking to the rotary steerable system (RSS) (23 and 46% of the on-bottom cases), and this, even though the TD speed was larger than 120 rev/min. These on-bottomstick-slip situations did not necessarily occur at a very high weight on bit (WOB) because 98% of them for one well and 46% for the other well took place when the WOB was lower than 10 ton. Downhole measurements have shown that when the drillstring is subject to strong stick-slip conditions, the downhole rotational speed changes from stationary to more than 300 rev/min in just a fraction of a second. Direct observations of downhole rotational speed at high frequency help in discovering conditions that were not suspected to lead to large torsional oscillations. This new information can be used to improve drilling operational procedures and models of the drilling process, therefore enabling increased drilling efficiency.

Field Measurements Validate Transient Annular Pressure Buildup Model

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 199561, “Validation of Transient Annular Pressure Buildup (APB) Model Predictions With Field Measurements in an Offshore Well and Characterization of Uncertainty Bounds,” by Rahul Pai, Anamika Gupta, and Udaya B. Sathuvalli, Blade Energy Partners, et al., prepared for the 2020 IADC/SPE International Drilling Conference and Exhibition, Galveston, Texas, 3-5 March. The paper has not been peer reviewed. The average geothermal gradient in the subject deepwater field in Nigeria is 4.37°C/100 m, nearly twice the gradient in most fields. As a result, the magnitude of the expected annular pressure buildup (APB) during steady-state production is large enough to threaten well integrity. Therefore, an insulating packer fluid (IPF) was used in Annulus A to reduce heat transfer to the outer annuli and to regulate the APB within acceptable values. The complete paper reports the results of a study that compares the temperature and pressure measurements from these wells with model predictions. Introduction Though APB has been studied by well designers for decades, the use of downhole measurements to study APB has been somewhat limited. Previous uses of downhole instrumentation to study APB phenomena principally have centered on monitoring the magnitude of the APB and managing the risk. None, as far as the authors are aware, use the results gathered from downhole measurements to verify the results of the models that routinely are used in the design of the wellbore tubulars and APB-mitigation technologies. Notwithstanding the wealth of literature on the subject of APB, several crucial and fundamental questions remain unanswered. Chief among these are: What is the accuracy of thermal-model temperature predictions during various well operations? How do temperature uncertainties influence APB predictions? When APB magnitudes are large enough to require installation of APB mitigation devices? How do the mitigation devices perform over the life of the well? The complete paper seeks to address these questions through an examination of downhole pressure and temperature measurements and a parallel analysis of model predictions. Furthermore, field data and model predictions are juxtaposed, sources of uncertainties in the measurement data and model inputs are considered, and overall uncertainties in the APB predictions (i.e., model estimates) are characterized.

Numerical simulations of wave fields for acoustic logging while drilling tools in a fluid-filled trough

Examinations of acoustic logging tools in the workshop are significant for checking the performance of every unit before field downhole measurements. It is more convenient to test the tools in a horizontally placed open trough rather than in a vertical closed pipe. To ensure the tools can excite and receive the signals from the trough well (i.e. the pipe waves), we should figure out the wave propagation in such an asymmetric structure. We aim for acoustic logging while drilling (LWD) signals from the fluid-filled trough. Both monopole and quadrupole wave fields are studied through the 3D finite difference model. For monopole acoustic logging, first-arrival full waves are the major concern. The propagation velocities of first-arriving pipe waves do not change with opening angles of the trough. The pipe wave speeds are exactly the same as those in closed pipes of the same sizes; while the amplitudes decrease with increasing opening angles. For quadrupole LWD, velocities of pipe waves have few correlations with opening angles and transducer azimuths. The quadrupole source can even excite the monopole collar waves in the trough, which become the first arrivals of the full waves. The quadrupole pipe waves show a trend of being weaker with increasing opening angles. If the opening angle of the trough is too large, the quadrupole pipe waves could totally be covered by other wavelets. To excite clearer pipe wave signals in the trough, it is suggested that an opening angle as small as possible is optimal for the tests.