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Well Test Manual 2

Section 7

Fluid Measurements
Table of Contents
Introduction.........................................................................................................
7-2
Objectives............................................................................................................. 7-2
Fluid & Flow Measurements
........................................................................... 7-3
Well Effluent Tests............................................................................................... 7-5
Determining Shrinkage.......................................................................................
7-5
Other Measurements..........................................................................................
7-7
Field Data.............................................................................................................. 7-8
Corrected Oil Rate..................................................................................................7-10
Water Rates..................................................................................................
7-12
Ratios............................................................................................................
7-13
Sampling Of Well Effluent.............................................................................
7-14

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Introduction

The section contains information on the Well Effluents and Oil Calculations.
Objectives
After completing this section, you should be able to

Understand what we mean by fluid measurements

Know what a well effluents Test is.

Know how to carry out a shrinkage on separator.

Know what field data to take during a test.

Know how to use this data to work out an oil rate.

Know how to work out a water rate.

Know some of the ratios used.

Intro to Sampling Well effluent.

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Fluid & Flow Measurements
The information obtained from a production test is used to evaluate the well's
performance. The information is basically pressures, temperatures, rates and
composition of the produced well effluents. Information is the essence of the test.
The equipment hook up, controlling the flow, the wastage of valuable reservoir
products, the inevitable resulting pollution, supplies, work and costs are carried out
only to enable the gathering of the flow performance information. The equipment
must function properly and the operations must be carried out in a safe manner with
the primary objective of the test being to obtain and record reliable information at
regular time intervals.
To do this, we must be sure that all measurement instruments are properly
connected and calibrated. The tours of observing and recording information must be
carried out deliberately, on time, without haste, and all pertinent additional
observations must be recorded clearly and briefly in the notes. As the test
progresses, the specialist reviews the accumulated information, by use of preliminary
plots and calculations, in order to continuously assess the well's performance and to
help detect early indications of possible difficulties with the test equipment or the
well.
The following should be noted on the test report at the appropriate times or
frequently checked for proper operation of the test equipment.
Measurements upstream of choke
1. Bottomhole pressures
2. Wellhead pressures
3. Casing pressure
4. Bottomhole temperature
5. Wellhead temperature
6. ESD (emergency shut-down) supply pressure
7. Chemical injection rate (if applicable)
Choke Sizes
1. Wellhead choke sizes
2. Manifold choke sizes
3. Heater choke sizes
Post Choke Measurements
1. Downstream pressure
2. Downstream temperature
3. Basic sediment and water (BS&W)
4. Mud weights
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5. Liquid viscosity
6. Heater temperature
Fluid Measurements
1. Gas flow rate

Separator static pressure

Differential pressure

Gas meter run temperature

Gas gravity

Orifice plate size

Gas meter run size

Hydrogen sulphide content of gas (if present)

Atmospheric pressure and temperature

2. Oil and/or condensate rate

Oil meter readings

Oil or condensate gravity

Oil meter run temperature

Shrinkage

Oil BS&W

Oil tank readings

3. Water rate

Water meter readings

Water salinity

Water acidity, alkalinity

Water tank readings

4. Gas / condensate / oil / water samples taken for analysis

Oil burner supply pressures
1. Oil supply
2. Air supply
3. Water supply
4. Igniter gas supply

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Comments
1. Occurrence of anything pertinent to test
2. Test procedural changes
3. Rate estimates
4. Equipment malfunctions
5. Safety issues
Well Effluent Tests
Each of the following measurements should be made at least twice during each
choke size, and possibly more, depending on customer requirements.
1) Oil

Shrinkage

Specific gravity (A.P.I. gravity)

2) Water

Salinity

Specific gravity

3) Gas

Specific gravity

H2S, CO2, etc. (if applicable)

Determining Shrinkage:
We covered this subject in Well Test Manual 1, this is therefore a refresher on
Shrinkage.
Measurement of Shrinkage with Shrinkage Tester
A diagram of the shrinkage tester is given. It operates as follows:
1. Close liquid inlet valve.
2. Open liquid bleed valve.
3. Close gas decompression valve.
4. Open gas inlet valve slowly, purge shrinkage tester by allowing gas
to flow out oil bleed valve.
5. Close oil bleed valve and allow shrinkage tester to reach separator
pressure.
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6. Open oil inlet valve and allow oil level to reach zero on graduated
scale.
7. Close oil inlet and gas inlet valves.
8. Record tester pressure and temperature.
9. Allow tester to decompress by opening decompression valve (this
should have a 1/64th calibrated orifice in the valve).
10. Leave it 30 minutes to decompress.
11. Read the shrinkage percentage and temperature.
12. Close decompression valve and drain oil.

Meter Test and Shrinkage Measurement in Tank

Should be taken at least once during each flow rate where conditions permit.
1. Divert flow to tank.
2. Allow stroke of oil dump valve to stabilize.
3. Simultaneously take initial tank and meter readings.
4. Wait (allow sufficient volume to significantly reduce any errors larger volume smaller the error). Note oil meter run temperature.
5. At the exact end time, take the final meter reading.
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6. Simultaneously operate the tank bypass valve to direct oil to the
other tank compartment or the burner.
7. Wait until the surface of the liquid in the tank is calm and there is no
froth i.e. until liquid is fully degassed. Take final tank level.
8. Take mean tank temperature. If necessary, take a sample to
measure gravity.
9. Correction Meter Factor = Tank Final Initial Volume x K(tank) /
Meter Final Initial Volume x K(meter)
NOTE:
The above applies to an atmospheric test tank and the meter factor
calculated in this way will include shrinkage.
NOTE:
A pressurized vessel should be depressurized to atmospheric pressure
to calibrate meters accurately.
Other Measurements
We covered all the following measurements in Well Test 1, and therefore for any
information regarding the following, please refer to that manual.
BS&W
H2S and CO2 Sampling
Salinity
Oil API Gravity
PH
Gas Gravity
The only two we never covered in Well Test Manual 1 are Liquid weight (mud
weight) and Viscosity. These are very seldom carried out and therefore not common
in occurrence.
Determining Mud, Water Density
Primarily used during clean-up operations the mud scale provides a means of
determining the density of a mud or water. The normal scale available is used for 818 pounds per gallon fluid.

The simple procedure is to fill the scale's cup with the liquid sample and replace the
lid allowing some sample to squeeze out the vent. After wiping off the cup's exterior
place the scale on the base's fulcrum rest. Move the rider until the scale is in

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balance, as determined by the spirit level. Read the density at the edge of the rider
nearest the fulcrum.
Determining Liquid Viscosity
The most common means of determining a mud viscosity (resistance to flow) in a
field location is the Marsh Funnel. The funnel is 6" in diameter at the top and 12"
long. A mesh screen fitted across one-half of the top removes foreign material from
the mud to be tested.

Procedure
With a finger plugging the lower outlet, pour the sample through the top screen until
the level reaches the under side of the screen. Remove finger immediately from
outlet and measure the number of seconds for a quart of sample to run out. Report
funnel viscosity in seconds.
Note: Time for a quart of clean fresh water at 70oF is 26 (+.5) seconds.
Field Data
Time
Day and Time. Record date and time for each reading - for time use 24 hour
clock.

Flow or shut in time. Use to record actual flow time or shut in time in hours.

Wellhead Data
Wellhead temperature. Temperature of flow stream measured upstream of
any choke.

Tubing pressure. Surface pressure of well measured upstream of any choke.

Casing pressure. Pressure of casing annulus recorded with the same

frequency as tubing pressure.

Heater choke. A record of the choke(s) sizes used on the heater during the
test. Normally recorded in 64th inch increments.

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Manifold choke. A record of the choke sizes used on the manifold during the
test. Notation should be made as to type (positive or adjustable) and exact
time that any size change occurred.

Downhole Data
BHP w/ depth. A record of bottom hole pressures during the test obtained
from a certain depth in the well, usually near the perforations.

BHT w/ depth. A record of bottom hole temperatures during the test obtained
from a certain depth in the well, usually near the perforations.

Gas Metering
Orifice size. The sizes of the orifice plates used during the course of the test.
Ensure the size is recorded accurately or inaccuracies in the gas rate will
result.

Static pressure. A record of the pressures at the separator's gas meter run,
downstream of the orifice plate.

Temperature. This column is to record the temperature of the gas

downstream of the orifice on the gas meter run.

Differential pressure. The difference of pressure measured across the orifice

plate in units of inches of water.

Gas gravity. A record of the gas gravity as compared to air with a specific
gravity of 1. Usually measured by a Ranarex, its frequency will depend upon
operational conditions.

%N2, %H2S, %CO2. The percentages of non-hydrocarbon constituents that

will be deducted from the calculated gas rates. Measurements are typically
determined by use of Draeger tubes or similar devices.

Oil or Condensate Metering

#1 Tank. Used to record the readings from the primary oil or condensate
tank. Header should note whether barrels or inches are being registered. It is
extremely important that these readings are taken at exact time intervals or
significant errors could result.

#2 Tank. Used to record the readings from the secondary oil or condensate
tank. Header should note whether barrels or inches are being registered. It is
extremely important that these readings are taken at exact time intervals or
significant errors could result.

#1/#2 Oil temperature. This column is used to record the measured oil
temperatures at the volume measurement points. For meter readings, the
temperature should be obtained from the oil meter run and not from the
separator vessel or gas meter run. For tank readings, the temperature should
be an average tank temperature obtained during the tank strap.

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Oil gravity. This column is used to record the measured API gravity corrected
to 60oF. If the gravity is not corrected to 60oF at the time of measurement with
a hydrometer, the temperature of the sample should be recorded.

Meter reading. Used to record the readings from the primary oil or
condensate meter. Column is a running total of barrels being registered by
the meter. It is extremely important that these readings are taken at exact
time intervals or significant errors could result.

Wf. Weathering factor is 1 - shrinkage. Shrinkage is the amount of volume

reduction caused by changes in temperature and pressure from the separator
conditions to the final stock tank conditions. Weathering factor is the amount
of oil remaining after shrinkage has occurred.

Example: After using a shrinkage tester, the shrinkage was determined to be 8%.
The weathering factor would therefore be .92.
Wf = 1 - shrinkage
Wf = 1 - .08
Wf = .92

BS&W. Basic sediment and water is measured by centrifuging a sample of oil

being metered and determining the amount of sediment and water as a
percentage. The oil BS&W should not be confused with the clean-up BS&W
obtained prior to separation, normally at the data header or choke manifold.
Each should be recorded in a different appropriate place.

Water Metering
#1 Tank. Used to record the readings from the primary water tank. Header
should note whether barrels or inches are being registered. It is important
that these readings are taken at exact time intervals or significant errors could
result.

#2 Tank. Used to record the readings from the secondary water tank.
Header should note whether barrels or inches are being registered. It is
important that these readings are taken at exact time intervals or significant
errors could result.

Salinity. A record of the salinity of produced water indicating the degree of

formation water present. Value is obtained by titration, resistivity,
refractometer or hydrometer method.

Meter reading. Used to record the readings from the primary water meter.
Column is a running total of barrels being registered by the meter. It is
extremely important that these readings are taken at exact time intervals or
significant errors could result. Since temperature has minimal effect on
water's thermal expansion, water temperature is not needed.

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Corrected Oil Rate
Three forms of the corrected oil rate calculation exist since the location of oil
measurement will have different factors involved. If measurement is occurring at the
oil meters, a meter factor and shrinkage factor must be included. If measurement is
occurring at the tanks then the meter/shrinkage factor has already been included in
the volume reading and no further adjustment for those factors are necessary.
Abbreviations used in the Oil Calculation
Vt

Volume Tank. Used to determine the Cmf during each flow rate.

Vm

Volume Meter. Used to determine the Cmf during each flow rate.

This factor corrects for volume changes caused by temperature changes

above or below the temperature designated as the standard temperature,
usually 60oF. The temperature used to make the correction is measured
during the tank strapping. If temperature varies at different levels, then an
average is suitable.
Before locating the K value, the API gravity corrected to 60oF must first be
determined. Once this is achieved, the K factor can be located between the
appropriate API group and observed temperature. Errors will occur if the
hydrometer temperature is mistakenly used instead of the tank temperature.

Cmf

Correction for Meter Factor. This Factor correct the meter for temperature
above or below the standard temperature range and also corrects for
shrinkage.
Cmf = Vt (Final reading) - Vt (Initial reading) X K
Vm (Final reading) - Vm (Initial reading) X K

1 - BSW/100 This factor is a means of converting the BS&W percentage to a

non-BS&W or remaining oil factor.
Example:
Upon centrifuging a sample of oil obtained from the oil dump line, a
BS&W of 2% was measured. The factor for the remaining oil is .98.
(1 - BSW/100) = (1 - 2/100) = (1 - .02) = .98
Therefore, multiplying the measured volumes times .98 would discount the water and
sediments.
Vo

This volume is the volume of stock tank oil at standard conditions produced
during the time interval between successive meter readings. It is found by
multiplying the various factors times each other.
Vo = Vm x Cmf x K x (1 - BSW/100)

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Qo

This corrected rate is achieved by converting the corrected oil volume (Vo) to
a daily rate STO BPD (stock tank oil barrels per day) by using a suitable
multiplication factor.
A corrected volume (Vo) produced in x minutes would require a multiplication
factor of y to determine a daily rate. Factor equals (24 x 60) / x.
X

15

96

30

48

60

24

120

12

Calculation 1
Cmf = Vt (Final reading) - Vt (Initial reading) X K
Vm (Final reading) - Vm (Initial reading) X K
Vo = Vm x Cmf x K x (1 - BSW/100)
Qo = Vo x Time factor
Note: The Cmf is worked out this way when we use the tank to calculate the
shrinkage (Wf). The tank must be given enough time to allow for total shrinkage.
This would be the preferred method of calculating the oil rate as the shrinkage would
be more accurate.
You must take the K factor into consideration when calculating the Volume Tank, as the
temperature in the Tank will more than likely be different from 60oF (Standard
temperature condition). This should be taken into consideration for the other
calculations as well.
Calculation 2
In this calculation we use two other factors:
Mf

This a meter factor and only takes into consideration the difference in fluid
flowing through the meter under standard conditions and not with shrinkage.
The shrinkage is calculated next.

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Mf = Vt (Final reading) - Vt (Initial reading) X K
Vm (Final reading) - Vm (Initial reading) X K
Wf

Weathering factor (Shrinkage Factor) is calculated by using a shrinkage tester

situated on the separator. (See earlier in this section on how to carry out a
shrinkage test)

Cmf = Mf x Wf (From this point on the calculation is the same as in Calculation 1)

Volume Oil = Volume Meter x Cf x K factor (1-BSW/100)
Q oil = Volume oil x Time factor
Calculation 3
Calculation 3 is based on a situation when you are two phasing and only measuring
gas and liquid leaving the separator. (not separating the oil and water).
In this case the only difference from Calculation 1 is that the BS&W is taken from
downstream side of the choke. All other calculations remain the same.

NOTE: Shrinkage is the biggest factor we take into consideration when

calculating an oil rate. If we are doing a calculation using the calibration tank
to prove the Mf then the shrinkage done at the separator is not accurate
because flowing to the tank we are continually losing gas from the oil through
the back pressure valve. We therefore have already some shrinkage. Using
the tank and taking the shrinkage from it, is the most accurate measurement.
Water Rates
Since water is virtually unaffected by changes in thermal expansion and shrinkage,
water volume readings do not require the same correction factors as oil. A meter
factor (M) may be necessary if the water meter is registering in error and tank
readings are not being used to measure the volumes produced.
Water flow rate (Qw)
This rate is achieved by converting the water volume (Vw) since the previous reading
to a daily rate (BPD) by using a suitable multiplication factor.
A water volume (Vw) produced in x minutes would require a multiplication factor of
y to determine a daily rate. Factor equals (24 x 60) / x.

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60

24

120

12

Ratios
Ratios are a convenient means of observing the trends of a well's potential and
deliverability. They are the prime indicators of phase changes occurring in the
reservoir or at surface. Ratios are determined by comparing volumes produced per
volumes produced or rates per rates. Possible ratios include:
GOR

Gas Rate (SCF/D) / Oil Rate (BPD)

OGR

Oil Rate (BPD) / Gas Rate (SCF/D)

WOR

Water Rate (BPD) / Oil Rate (BPD)

OWR

Oil Rate (BPD) / Water Rate (BPD)

GWR

Gas Rate (SCF/D) / Water Rate (BPD)

WGR

Water Rate (BPD) / Gas Rate (SCF/D)

GLR

Gas Rate (SCF/D) / Oil + Water Rate (BPD)

LGR

Oil + Water Rate (BPD) / Gas Rate (SCF/D)

Note: Units used for ratios (such as SCF/D, MSCF/D or MMSCF/D) should result in
a significant answer. Example - Suppose the test rates involved produced at a GOR
of 123,003 SCF per barrel of oil. A better indicator would be realized by changing to
MSCF/D per oil BPD, resulting in a GOR of 123 MSCF/BBL. Whatever units are
used should be legibly noted on the test report's column header.
Sampling of Well Effluent
An accurate determination of the characteristics of the reservoir fluids is essential for
engineers to set the parameters on which future production will depend. This section
describes methods by which satisfactory samples of the well reservoir fluids can be
obtained. The pertinent properties of the samples are determined by subsequent
laboratory testing.
The prime objective of reservoir fluid sampling is to collect from a hydrocarbon
reservoir a sample that is representative of the fluid present in the reservoir at the
time of sampling.
The two methods for sampling reservoir fluids are described:

Subsurface sampling

Surface sampling

The choice of method is influenced by the type of reservoir fluid the producing
characteristics and mechanical condition of the well.

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Conditioning the well before sampling is almost always necessary. Well conditioning
is especially important when the reservoir fluid is saturated at the prevailing reservoir
pressure because the reduction in pressure around the well bore which results from
producing the well can alter the fluid composition before it reaches the well bore.
The objective of conditioning the well is to remove the altered (non-representative)
oil. Conditioning normally requires:

Minimum rate

GLR constant

Separator pressure and temperature constant.

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