New Wireline Formation Tester Development Makes Sampling and Pressure Testing

Possible in Extra-Heavy Oils in Mexico

Tania Flores de Dios, Maria Guadalupe Aguilar, Rafael Perez Herrera PEMEX and German
Garcia, Emilie Peyret, Edher Ramirez, Abraham Arias, Pierre-Yves Corre, Miroslav Slapal,
Cosan Ayan Schlumberger

Accurate fluid description in the Tertiary sediments of Mexico is important for PEMEX
operating assets because large variations in viscosity over very short intervals have a major
impact on well productivity. Well placement and selection of the completion strategy in this kind
of reservoir strongly depend on characterization of the fluid distribution. This is because the
efficiency of steam injection and the artificial lift system can be severely impaired if a
preferential path, following high mobility values (K/u), exists over the producing intervals, as is
the case for the Samaria-Neogeno project, which has viscosity values up to 40,000 cP at standard
conditions.

Wireline openhole formation testing and sampling in this environment is not short of challenges
and hence is rarely done in the field. The poorly consolidated formations and the high viscosity
of the fluids mean that the pressure differential generated during pumping almost invariably
causes failure of the wellbore wall, sanding the tool out or breaking the seal needed. Other
experiences in the world with straddle packers have been mostly unsuccessful because the
formation collapses in the unsupported interval between the packers once the pressure
differential is applied.

This paper summarizes the recent successful application of a wireline formation tester (WFT) for
testing and sampling extra-heavy oils in Tertiary sandstone formations of South Mexico. This is
the world’s first application of such technology in unconsolidated sandstones. The new WFT
module provides mechanical support to the formation while allowing the application of the
needed pressure differentials to mobilize formation fluid to the tool’s flowline and sample
containers. The case presented shows how 8-API fluid samples with viscosities in the few
thousands of centipoises at downhole conditions were acquired using this new device. Other
applications reviewed are pressure profiling and pressure transient tests for permeability
evaluation.
Tania Flores de Dios. PEMEX Carretera Villahermosa-Cárdenas. Ranchería Cumuapa, Activo
Integral Samaria-Luna. CP 86697. + 52 19931786164. tania.floresdedios@pemex.com

Maria Guadalupe Aguilar. PEMEX Carretera Villahermosa-Cárdenas. Ranchería Cumuapa,

Activo Integral Samaria-Luna. CP 86697. +52 917328 0281.
maria.guadalupe.aguilara@pemex.com

Rafael Perez Herrera. PEMEX Carretera Villahermosa-Cárdenas. Ranchería Cumuapa, Activo

Integral Samaria-Luna. CP 86697. + 52 19932423356. rafael.perez@pemex.com

German Garcia. Schlumberger OFS Servicios, Km 7 Carretera Villahermosa-Cardenas,

Rancheria Lazaro Cardenas. C.P 86280. +52 19932423408. ggarcia@exchange.slb.com

Emilie Peyret. Schlumberger OFS Servicios, Km 7 Carretera Villahermosa-Cardenas, Rancheria

Lazaro Cardenas. C.P 86280. +52 1229 9039638. EPeyret@exchange.slb.com

Edher Ramirez. Schlumberger OFS Servicios, Km 7 Carretera Villahermosa-Cardenas,

Rancheria Lazaro Cardenas. C.P 86280. +52 1993 1600759. ELoaeza@exchange.slb.com

Abraham Arias. Schlumberger OFS Servicios, Km 7 Carretera Villahermosa-Cardenas,

Rancheria Lazaro Cardenas. C.P 86280. +52 1993 2426965. Correa@exchange.slb.com

Pierre-Yves Corre. Cables Vector S.A, ZI, route de Vauchelles, 80100 Abbeville France. +33 3
2225 3586. PCorre@exchange.slb.com

Miroslav Slapal Schlumbeger Technology Corporation, 150 Gillingham Lane, Sugar Land, TX,
77478, USA. +1 281 285 3608. MSlapal@exchange.slb.com

Cosan Ayan. P.O. Box 9261 Dubai UAE . +971 4 3067231, CAyan@exchange.slb.com