Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Bergen One Day Seminar held in Bergen, Norway, 5 April 2017.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents
of the paper have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect
any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written
consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may
not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright.
Abstract
This paper describes a unique combination of equipment and techniques that enabled an ESP-DST well
test on a shallow, horizontal well drilled in a faulted and heterogeneous reservoir with complex fluids, in
Arctic conditions.
The technical challenges of the performed well test included designing a bespoke ESP-DST string
compatible with the shallow reservoir and designing a surface well test spread capable of efficient separation
for safe and environmentally friendly disposal, and obtaining accurate flow rate measurements, as well as
performing a test with interpretable data given the uncertainty and complexity of the formation, and the
complexity of the well itself.
The success of the performed well test was the result of an integrated approach to well test design and real-
time support provided throughout. This process included the selection of optimum ESP-DST string design
for multizone testing in a high angle well including an innovative arrangement of an ESP encapsulated in
a POD and installed in the riser. Integration of ESP with the surface well test package was also important
and the design of the surface well test package included a Coriolis type of separator and multiphase flow
meter for accurate flow rate measurements.
During drilling, the contingency plan to mitigate against losses was implemented which had a significant
effect on the well testing program. To address this, and to understand if the well objectives could still
be achieved, an uncertainty-based well test design and interpretation methodology, taking into account
reservoir uncertainties and their interaction with each other, which uses numerical models and a global
sensitivity analysis method was applied. This method identifies which uncertain reservoir parameters can
be interpreted confidently and indicates the test duration. From the hundreds of numerical simulation cases
produced during the design stage of the test, matches were obtained during monitoring to give an indication
of the future pressure behavior, which allowed the duration of final build-up to be optimized.
The ESP-DST well test was successfully performed on a horizontal well drilled in the Wisting discovery
in the Barents Sea. The well was successfully free flow tested giving a maximum achieved flow rate of
5,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. All the well test objectives were successfully achieved, despite the
change to the contingency drilling plan.
2 SPE-185892-MS
Figure 1—Wisting structure and proposed well path intersecting several major faults.
Drilling was expected to deliver a 1450m, 8.5-in horizontal section that would be completed with a 7-
in liner in the Stø Formation to TD, Fig. 2. A contingency plan to drill the horizontal section with a 6-in
bit size was provided as mitigation for drilling problems in the Fruholmen and Stø Formations resulting
in the 7-in liner having to be set early e.g. in the event of severe losses associated with the faults. A 5-in
liner would be set in the 6-in section.
Figure 2—Planned well schematic showing the three zones to be tested in the Stø formation.
4 SPE-185892-MS
Figure 3—ESP POD schematic with auto-flow sub installed in the riser section.
Figure A-1—45 stage-S8000R pump performance curve for water, illustrating the wide operating range that
can be achieved with the combination of compression stages and a VSD operating between 40 and 60 Hz.
As for any oilfield operation, good communication and strong operational coordination between all the
well-test crew members is crucial for performing a successful well test. This is particularly true for ESP-
DST well tests where the typical operational procedures used for individual ESP and DST operations cannot
be applied. Because of the operational complexities, a seamless integration and coordination of operations
and personnel covered by a unified well-test program is crucial. The same is also valid for the integration
of the safety systems. The integration of the ESP data feed, aligned with the surface well test real-time data
delivery system, is of paramount importance.
In addition to the ESP-DST complexity, a multi-zone test in the horizontal section with selective
perforating was proposed. This strategy was selected as the formation properties were expected to
change along the borehole due to the presence of faults and boundaries. It also allows the flow
contribution of each perforated interval to be assessed separately. Additionally, as the reservoir structure
may be compartmentalized, it would be possible to evaluate any possible isolation/interference between
compartments with a multi-zone test. The bottomhole assembly (BHA) developed to meet these
requirements is shown in Fig. 4.
The designed DST string comprised a production packer, several sets of downhole memory gauges,
downhole dual-valve providing downhole shut-in and reverse circulation functionalities, as well as a
downhole PVT sample carrier allowing representative uncontaminated downhole PVT samples to be
collected (Fig. A-2). Multiple pressure and temperature gauges were placed at different depth in the BHA
along the horizontal section to evaluate the pressure drop across the horizontal section. The DST string
also includes an acoustic telemetry system that provides real-time surface-readout of the downhole pressure
gauges during the test.
SPE-185892-MS 7
Figure 4—Planned DST string with 3 compartments in the full horizontal section.
Figure A-2—Completion schematic in three sections illustrates how POD enables integration of ESP
into DST string. This allows operation of conventional DST tools via annulus-pressure commands.
An operational concern in the harsh Arctic conditions was the potential for hydrate formation due to the
cooling effect of the fluid in the riser. The large drop in temperature experienced by the fluid in the riser could
8 SPE-185892-MS
also adversely impact the surface well testing operations due to increased flowing liquid viscosity. This
phenomenon would be aggravated by gas coming out of solution and expanding as the pressure decreases
closer to the wellhead. Temperature-behavior modeling of the wellbore during well clean-up operations,
with analysis of the cooling effect of the fluid in the wellbore during pressure buildup (PBU), was performed
using a transient flow simulator (Fig. A-3, A-4). The results of the analysis showed the need for a subsurface
chemical injection sub at seabed for injection of hydrate inhibitors during the test for hydrate prevention.
Based on this temperature analysis, reverse circulation of the tubing contents and replacement with base
oil during the PBU was also added to the test plan to mitigate surface risks without affecting the well test
objectives.
Figure A-3—Well head temperature during well clean-up operations simulated using transient flow simulator.
Figure A-4—Temperature modeling results along the wellbore during the flow and pressure build-up.
SPE-185892-MS 9
Drilling problems occurring in the Stø Formation that result in an early set of 7-in liner and the
contingency solution (6-in hole and a 5-in liner) will have a knock-on effect on the DST program. The DST
string configuration would be simplified to a single zone. The Stø reservoir section will then be opened by
overbalance perforations, using 3 ⅜-in oriented guns installed at the bottom of the DST string (Fig. 5).
Although the contingency configuration of perforating the horizontal section as one compartment is
considered as a proven and simple technique, a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the zonal flow
contribution would not be possible along the horizontal borehole section. Moreover, a major concern with
respect to the downhole data acquisition is the potential for wellbore dynamics phenomena making the
pressure transient analysis of this data very challenging, which can only be mitigated to a certain extent.
In a later section, we consider how test design sensitivity analysis with new methodologies and numerical
models can be used to reduce uncertainty if this contingency plan is required.
Surface well test spread design and considerations for Arctic conditions
The surface well test package is designed to provide fluid handling capabilities at surface, safe and
environmental friendly disposal of the well effluent, and provide accurate and reliable flow rate
measurements during the test.
Using proprietary design software, pressure and temperature modelling was performed across the surface
well test spread to have confidence that all the equipment would function within its operating envelope
throughout the test. Despite low operating pressures due to the high anticipated production rate of 10,000
boe/day, increased attention was paid to the calculation of net force applied to the temporary pipework (pv2),
as well as to the analysis of hydrate formation in the cold, Arctic conditions. To mitigate the risk of hydrate
formation, the surface well test package was equipped with several chemical injection points (upstream and
downstream of the choke), a steam exchanger, and a heating loop with capabilities to circulate hot fluid
until an optimum temperature is reached before opening up the well for initial flow. As noted earlier, the
Wisting Central II DST string was also equipped with a chemical injection line for injection of hydrate
inhibitor at seabed.
Fluid disposal
Significant attention was paid to ensure correct fluid disposal during the test to safeguard the sensitive
natural environment of the Barents Sea. In general, good burner combustion performance is a function
of burner design and operational conditions. For the Wisting Central II well test, a new type of high-
efficiency burner was selected. New generation high-efficiency burners depend upon superior atomization
that produces smaller hydrocarbon droplets, which vaporize quickly, eliminating unburned oil falling out
of the flame. The high-quality atomization requires sufficient energy to be applied to the liquid, which can
be done either by the liquid itself or by exposure to high-velocity air, or a combination of both. Combustion
performance also depends on the fluid properties and efficient burning can be achieved with 60-70 cP
viscosity and high water cut. The surface design simulations indicated that high-efficiency oil burning could
be achieved for the planned well test by applying extra heat using the steam exchanger, as well as utilizing
six air compressors.
Separator
Accurate flow rate measurements are one of the main results acquired during the well test. Separators have
been used as the conventional means of flow rate measurement during well test operations for decades.
Despite the fact that they are required for effective separation and disposal of well effluent, the accuracy
of flow rate measurements with traditional separators equipped with positive displacement meters and
orifice plates has remained static during this period and still remains in question. Introduced in 2007, a
new generation of well test separator, with enhanced fluid handling capabilities and improved metrological
performance, has quickly become the standard for well test operations in the North Sea. This well test
separator is capable of handling limited amounts of solids, so it eliminates the need to flow through a low-
pressure surge tank or gauge tank during clean-up which further reduces health, safety and environmental
(HSE) hazards, an important consideration in Arctic well testing. Equipped with Coriolis flow meters, the
SPE-185892-MS 11
new generation well test separator can also provide accurate flow rate measurements with carry over and
carry under detection (Shumakov et al, 2014).
Choke manifold
In ESP-DST well testing, unlike standard tests, the pump is used to control well flow rate. However,
the choke size has to be adjusted regularly in response to the changes in the pump drive frequency to
control wellhead pressure. Based on previous experience and practical application, it is often not possible
to use the positive fixed choke due to the high risk of plugging. The bean size change in a fixed choke
is also a time consuming operation and requires temporary flow diversion through the adjustable choke.
An adjustable choke provides cycling capabilities, thus preventing choke plugging, and has a simplified
pressure control and the ability to change choke size quickly, therefore maintaining pressure at required
level. In this operationally complex well test, an adjustable choke was used throughout, which allowed the
operators to change the choke size quickly as the pump drive frequency or operating conditions changed.
The designed surface well test package is relatively standard for the North Sea operations but with
optimization designed to meet the specific well test objectives and environmental considerations of the
Wisting Central II test. It was designed to safely handle up to 1600 m3/day and included steam exchanger,
safety shut-in valve, separator and burner with series of surge and gauge tanks. The schematic of the surface
equipment layout is presented in Figure A-5.
Under these conditions, it was not possible to design and interpret the well test with conventional methods
that currently exist in the industry. To address this, a new uncertainty-based well test design methodology,
termed global sensitivity analysis, was introduced using the base case reservoir simulation model and a
description of the reservoir uncertainties that existed in advance of the test. This method was focused mainly
on the contingency option, which posed the most challenge to achieving the test objectives.
Global sensitivity allows the individual contributions of the uncertain input parameters to the total
variance of the model prediction to be quantified via sensitivity indices. GSA sensitivity indices allows the
input parameters to be ranked according to their contribution to the uncertainty (variance) of the model
prediction using the first-order and total contributions to the variance of model prediction (transient pressure
and pressure derivative) at each experiment point of interest and providing a time dependent ranking
of the individual sensitivities. The difference between the first-order and total sensitivities represent the
relative contribution from the higher-order interaction effects. Put simply, a high value of total sensitivity
to a particular parameter implies that one can have high confidence on the interpretation results for this
parameter, with the given test design. A low value of the total sensitivity index indicates negligible
contribution to the total variance due to uncertainty of a given input parameter. Therefore, total sensitivity
can be used to reduce the dimensionality of the model by assigning a fixed value to the identified
"unimportant" parameters. Full details of the technique are described for the naturally fractured reservoir
in Morton et al (2013).
For the Wisting Central II well test, the main uncertain parameters were fault transmissibility, horizontal
permeability, anisotropy, and oil water contact (OWC) depth.
The reservoir model is a sector of the overall reservoir model and includes the Wisting Central II well
and the surrounding fault blocks. The well is modeled with a multi-segmented well model to account for
pressure losses within the test string. The reservoir model is refined around the well of interest using local
grid refinement. The sector model is shown in Fig. 6. The initial design of the test includes a short clean up
period, a first flow of 12 hours to allow for sampling and buildup period, then a main flow period and a final
48-hour buildup. To allow the full sensitivity of the test to be determined, the buildup period was extended
to 100 hours in the simulation model. A total of 274 cases were run in advance of the test to perform the
sensitivity analysis on the four uncertain parameters.
Global sensitivity indices were calculated to investigate which of the four uncertain reservoir parameters
are contributing the most to the observed uncertainty in the predicted pressure and pressure derivative, and
how this contribution evolves during the well test. The color-bin plot of the 274 cases are for the derivative
response of the main buildup is shown in Fig. 7.
Figure 7—Color-bin plot showing the total sensitivity to the uncertain parameters prior to the test.
GSA indicates biggest impact on derivative behavior is uncertainty in the permeability throughout the
build-up. As indicated in Fig. 7, the early time behavior is constant. Derivative sensitivity to anisotropy
is observed until 0.1 hours, which is highly likely to be observed with downhole shut-in. Uncertainty in
the OWC is a contributing factor to derivative behavior in middle to late time. The fault response can be
observed at late times, starting around 100 hours. Long duration build up is recommend to characterize
this feature.
The GSA test design process helped to clarify that the test would be interpretable for important reservoir
parameters at specific test times but that a longer test, longer that the initially-planned 48-hr main build
up, would be required to investigate the OWC and fault behavior. While there was sensitivity to the fault
behavior, OWC sensitivity is stronger; and if further information is available to characterize this parameter,
the understanding of the fault behavior would be improved.
30-60 m/hr. The losses triggered the decision to secure the 8 ½" section about 600m prior reaching the well
TD and continue with the 6-in hole-size contingency solution and subsequent impact on the test BHA design.
The final well length was 2354 m long with a 1402-m horizontal section. The well was geosteered
throughout the drilling of the horizontal section. The well encountered an oil column of 22 m thickness
with 1250 m of net light oil pay. An interval of 600m was drilled in the reservoir, which provided sufficient
length of 460 m for well test operations.
The surface well testing equipment was rigged-up several months before the well test operations began
and was fully functionally-tested by performing electrical, mechanical and calibration checks prior to
opening up the well. Checks included a separator liquid flow meters test performed by flowing water through
the meters at a stable flow rate, and then checking the cumulative measurements on the meter against the
cumulative level in the surge tank in the same period of time.
Figure 8—Final well schematic showing the 6-in hole contingency solution.
During clean-up flow, the ESP being part of DST string configuration provided assistance with
continuous artificial lifting of well effluent, improving the well outflow performance and eliminating a need
for fluid displacement prior to testing operations. During the initial part of well clean-up, monoethylene
glycol (MEG) injection was conducted at subsurface injection sub and choke manifold as per requirements
to prevent hydrate formation.
The ESP located above the BOP showed promise for aiding cleanup operations. However, while
progressing further with the well test, a significant increase of gas-to-oil ratio was observed during the main
flow of the well. This increased the complexity of fluid handling at the surface due to the slugging effect of
the well and unstable production regime of the ESP with high free-gas content at the pump intake. Several
attempts were made to mitigate the pressure fluctuation by manipulating the adjustable choke. As the ESP
was not necessary for production i.e. the reservoir produced in free flow due to high free gas content, the
pump was stopped and not used during the main flow periods of the test. In this case, the presence of the
SPE-185892-MS 15
auto-flow sub in the POD section was extremely beneficial as it allowed fluid to move upwards bypassing
the ESP pump housing, thus minimizing the pressure drop in this section.
During the test, all environmental conditions including wind were carefully analyzed and accordingly the
air supply was adjusted to achieve the optimum burning conditions. During well shut-in and flow diversion
from one boom to another, the surface lines to the burners were flushed with base oil to prevent them from
plugging with the reservoir crude as the fluids cooled down. Photo of the flare during the test is presented
in Fig. A-6.
The real-time ESP monitoring and well testing services are not entirely new concepts and have been
successfully utilized over several years in many operations across the North Sea. With almost one hundred
real-time well tests performed across the North Sea with an established infrastructure, defined workflows,
and 24/7 collaborative environments in practice, real-time-enabled value to operators have become more
apparent with tangible results (Sikandar et al, 2010). The fully operational Artificial Lift Surveillance Centre
based in UK has also demonstrated the value of 24/7 ESP surveillance and monitoring in terms of extended
ESP run-life and reduction in ESP downtime. The support center provides coverage for over 100 wells
equipped with ESPs across Europe and Africa (Camilleri and Macdonald, 2010). However, ESP-DST well
testing requires seamless integration of both acquisition and data delivery systems, optimized for monitoring
each particular operation and delivering data from the ESP and the surface well test package in different
formats to the dedicated operational support center. The deployed DST also included an acoustic telemetry
system that provided real-time surface readout of downhole pressure gauges installed at different depth.
Large quantities of data, both surface and downhole, with more than 80 channels were acquired during
the test. Significant modifications were applied in the real-time data delivery infrastructure to achieve the
required level of synergy for aggregating the acquired ESP data, information from downhole memory gauges
and surface well test data, at the well site. More than 80 data acquisition channels were delivered in real-time
to the remote web-based server where, with proprietary software capable of supporting both ESP, downhole
and surface well test data, remote experts could access large amounts of real-time information, visualize
data and perform quick evaluations (Fig. A-7). Additionally, together with the chat functionalities, data
16 SPE-185892-MS
exchange, screen sharing and conference call facilities at the core of the real-time operations enabled all the
team members to communicate, share ideas and provide recommendations. By this means, the entire work
force is used, even if the team members are in different locations. Such a fast information turnaround across
all the involved parties also improves the decision-making process and makes conventional well testing
operations more interactive and data quality oriented.
The benefits and value of providing real-time data delivery infrastructure, whereby enabled collaboration
of experts at multiple sites and at operation support center was crucial for continuous data quality assurance
of real-time data and optimize well test program toward achievement of test objectives within optimum time
frame. The implemented real-time data confluence process of acquiring ESP and surface well test data has
also significantly improved collaboration between the experts at well site and facilitates the performance
of a seamless operation.
The real-time data delivery of bottomhole pressure data during the test, has enabled a real-time quick look
well test interpretation and assisted in optimizing the duration of pressure build-up. Looking at the cases run
during the GSA design process, and the match against the real data, it was clear that a good pressure match
could be achieved using the actual reservoir simulation model which did not include sealing boundaries.
The real-time quick-look interpretation gave a good indication that the data would be interpretable using
the simulation model defined for the well test design.
During the test oil, water and gas flow rates were accurately measured by using dual energy gamma ray
multiphase flow meter and well test separator equipped with Coriolis meters (Fig. A-8). More than 12,000
stb of reservoir crude was successfully burned using new generation high efficiency burners with no HSE
incidents.
SPE-185892-MS 17
The well results are expected to provide an increase of in-place volumes in the Central South and Central
West segments of Wisting discovery and further reduce the overall uncertainty of contingent resources in
the license area.
test data, reducing turn-around time for interpretation and giving confidence in the numerical model used
for field planning.
Real-time data transmission with real-time collaboration of experts at multiple sites was instrumental in
acquiring high quality data, providing concurrent feedback and optimizing well test program. The ability
to ensure data interpretability while the test was ongoing ensured that the test met the objectives and added
significantly to de-risking of the future field development of the Wisting discovery.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to OMV and Schlumberger for permission to publish this paper. We also thank the
license partners Idemitsu, Petoro, Statoil and Tullow. The authors would also like to recognize all the OMV
departments, as well as the service providers, who contributed to the success of the project.
Conversion Factors
bar × 1.0* E + 05 = Pa
bbl × 1.589 873 E – 01 = m3
ft × 3.048* E − 01 =m
ft3 × 2.831 685 E − 02 = m3
in. × 2.54* E + 00 = cm
mile × 1.609 344* E + 00 = km
* Conversion factor is exact.
References
Beck, D., Shumakov, Y., Hetherington, G., & Ovchinnikov, V. 2014. Unlocking Future Heavy Oil Development in the
North Sea: A Well Testing Success in the Kraken Field. Presented at SPE/EAGE European Unconventional Resources
Conference and Exhibition, 25-27 February, Vienna, Austria. SPE 167798-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/167798-MS
Brennan, B., Lucas-Clements, C., Kew, S., et al. 2011. Methodologies, Solutions, and Lessons Learned from Heavy
Oil Well Testing with an ESP, Offshore UK in the Bentley Field, Block 9/3b. Presented at the SPE Canadian
Unconventional Resources Conference, 15-17 November, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. SPE 148833-MS. http://
dx.doi.org/10.2118/148833-MS
Camilleri, L.A.P., Macdonald, J. 2010. How 24//7 Real-Time Surveillance Increases ESP Run Life and Uptime. Presented
at SPE Annula Technical Conference and Exhibition, Florence, Italy, 19-22 September. SPE 134702-MS. http://
dx.doi.org/10.2118/134702-MS
Hollaender, F., Shumakov, Y., Sarac, S., & Theuveny, B. 2015. Real Time Well Testing: A Game Changer – Experience
and Lessons Learned Over 100 Well Tests Performed In the North Sea. Presented at the SPE Middle East Oil and
Gas Conference and Exhibition, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 15–16 September. SPE 176808-MS.SPE 176808-MS. http://
dx.doi.org/10.2118/176808-MS.
Hollinger, G., Trauner, S., Dupuis, C. et al. 2017. Transformation of Mindset - Cost-Effective Collaborative Well
Engineering and Operation Delivers Record Horizontal Appraisal Well in the Barents. For presentation at the SPE/
IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition, The Hague, The Netherlands, 13-16 March. SPE 184654-MS. http://
dx.doi.org/10.2118/184654-MS.
Morton, K.L., Booth, R.J.S., Chugunov, N. et al. 2013. Global Sensitivity Analysis for Natural Fracture Geological
Modeling Parameters from Pressure Transient Tests. Presented at SPE EUROPEC / EAGE, London, United Kingdom,
10-13 June. SPE 164894-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/164894-MS.
Pinguet, B.G., Pechard, P., Guerra, E. et al. 2008. Methodology of Calibration for Nucleonic Multiphase Meter Technology
for SAGD Extra Heavy Oil. Presented at SPE International Thermal Operations and Heavy Oil Symposium, Calgary,
Alberta, Canada, 20-23 October. SPE 117562-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/117562-MS
SPE-185892-MS 19
Shumakov, Y. A., Akbayev, B., Vigo, M., & Theuveny, B. C. 2014. Five Years' Experience Using Coriolis Separators in
North Sea Well Testing. Presented at AbuDhabi International Petroleum exhibition and Conference, 10-13 November.
SPE 171752-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/171752-MS
Sikandar, A.S., Badr, A., Shumakov, Y.A. et al. 2010. Remote Real Time Well Testing – Experience in the Grove Gas
Field in the North Sea. Presented at SPE Intelligent Energy Conference and Exhibition, Utrecht, The Netherlands,
23-25 March. SPE 127909-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/127909-MS
Theuveny, B.C., Sereral, G., Pinguet, B. 2001 Multiphase Flowmeters in Well Testing Applications. Presented at the SPE
Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, Louisiana, 30 September – 3 October. SPE 71475-MS.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/71475-MS