LAYER PULSE TESTING USING THE REPEAT FORMATION

TESTER

J. SAEEDI

this article begins on the next page F

JCPT89-01-13 Am.lk AM Wr COMPLETIONS AND EVALUATIONS Layer pulse testing using the Repeat Formation Tester J. SAEEDI Schlumberger of Canada Calgary, Alberta ABSTRACT A conventional pulse test provides estimates of average transmissibility and storage capacity between the pulsed and the observation wells. In a layered reservoir the pressure waves, instigated by pulsating the active well, travel at dif- ferent velocities in individual layers. These velocities are func- tions of layer transmissibilities and storage capacities. The measurement and recording of these complete pressure waves at
the observation well will require pressure sensors lodged, in individual layers, behind the casing. This is not practical with current technology. This measurement dilemma can be resolved if the observa- tion well is newly drilled and still uncased. Instead of measuring the complete pressure wave for every layer, a sequence of discrete pressure points can be recorded for these layers, at known times, using a Repeat Formation Tester. The Repeat Formation Tester (RFT) measures point pressures generally in an open-hole behind the mud-cake. A base RFT survey is done in the
observation well prior to initiating a pressure wave in the pulsed (active) well. After this time a rate change is implemented at the active well. Subse- quently, at pre-designed time intervals one or more RFT surveys are done at the observation well. These discrete data from base and subsequent RFT surveys, together with the measured flow or injection profile in the pulsed well, are then amenable to conventional analytical interpretation for estimating layer permeabilities in non-communicating layers. If the layers are communicating, a numerical interpretation method is available
based on vertical pressure profiles. The RFT data is plotted as vertical pressure profiles at different times. The differences between the base and subsequent RFT pressure profiles are history-matched using a three-dimen- sional numerical reservoir simulator. The history-match pro- vides an estimate of layer horizontal and vertical permeabilities between the pulsed and observation wells. This paper describes the measurement and the analysis methodology of a layer pulse test. The numerical simulator, necessary to analyze a layer pulse test in communicating layers, is validated using
analytical methods. The description also includes the successful application of this technique in a pin- nacle reef having communicating layers. Now with Schlumberger Middle East S.A., Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Keywords-. Formation tester, Layered reservoir, Pulse testinl' Analytical interpretation, Numerical interpretation, Application;: Pinnacle reef, Flow-profiling. Introduction Reservoir permeabilities over a scale which spans interwell distances, govern the performance of the reservoir in that interwell area. Single well pressure transient tests, if con- ducted
long enough, help determine permeabilities over large scales, but the permeabilities are not directional in nature. Conventional pulse and interference tests do give directional permeabilities in the interwell area but are limited to a single permeability in any one direction. A layer pulse test which con- sists of suitable measurements in both the observation and pulsed wells together with simple but elegant interpretation techniques helps in estimating directional interwell perme- abilities at different depths based on the lithological layering of the interwell area. This paper will
propose measurement and interpretation methodology for estimation of layer permeabilities in com- municating and non-communicating layers. The utilization of the RFTrm(l) Service in openhole in the observation well and production or injection logging (2) in the pulsed well are an in- tegral part of this testing scheme. The interpretation pro- cedures available could be analytical or numerical in nature based on the complexity of the reservoir. Analytical solutions or type curves can be used to describe homogeneous reservoirs only, while numerical procedures should be used to interpret
a heterogeneous reservoir('). Analytical interpretation techniques are available(I 4) to inter- pret a conventional pulse test. It has also been documented that the wellbore storage effect and non-zero skin has to be corrected(6,11) for, in a conventional pulse test. WoodsO has touched on the problem of a conventional pulse test response in a two-layer reservoir. He also suggests produc- tion logging in the pulsed wen to estimate layer flow rates. Because a conventional pulse test measures one pressure in the observation well, at best, Wood's technique could give a layer
transmissibility (or permeability) ratio between the two layers. This computation also required for the skin to be zero or same in both the layers. A layer pulse test in a reservoir having non-communicating layers but with commingled production or injection in the pulsed well could be analyzed both analytically and numerical- ly. In a reservoir in which the layers communicate and the pulsed well has commingled production or injection a numerical reservoir simulator(II) can be used to analyze the results. The RFT pressures in observation well also preclude the correction required for
wellbore storage effects. The numerical reservoir simulator, RFTSIM, is a three- dimensional, multi-phase, single equation simulator(IO). in this simulator it is implicitly assumed that the saturations do not Paper reviewed and accepted for publication by the Editorial Board of the Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology. 126 The Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology

I)
COMPLETIONS AND EVALUATIONS
Layer pulse testing using tllte Repeat
Formation Tester
J. SAEEDI'
Schlumberger of Canada
Calgary, Alberta
ABSTRACT
A conventional pulse test provides estimates of average
transmissibility and storage capacity between the pulsed and
the observation wells. In a layered reservoir the pressure
waves, instigated by pulsating the active well, travel at dif-
ferent velocities in individual layers. These velocities are func-
tions of layer transmissibilities and storage capacities. The
measurement and recording of these complete pressure waves
at the observation well will require pressure sensors lodged, in
individual/ayers, behind the casing. This is not practical with
current technology.
This measurement dilemma can be resolved if the observa-
tion well is newly drilled and still un cased. Instead of measuring
the complete pressure wave for every layer, a sequence 0/
discrete pressure points can be recorded for these layers, at
known times, using a Repeat Formation Tester.
The Repeat Formation Tester (RFT) measures point
pressures generally in an open-hole behind the mud-cake. A
base RFT survey is done in the observation well prior to
initiating a pressure wave in the pulsed (active) well. After this
time a rate change is implemented at the active well. Subse-
quently, at pre-designed time intervals one or more RFT
surveys are done at the observation well. These discrete data
from base and subsequent RFT surveys, together with the
measured flow or injection profile in the pulsed well, are then
amenable to conventional analytical interpretation for
estimating layer permeabilities in non-communicating layers.
If the layers are communicating, a numerical interpretation
method is available based on vertical pressure profiles. The
RFT data is plotted as vertical pressure profiles at different
times. The differences between the base and subsequent RFT
pressure profiles are history-matched using a three-dimen-
sional numerical reservoir simulator. The history-match pro-
vides an estimate of layer horizontal and vertical permeabilifies
between the pulsed and observation wells.
This paper describes the measurement and the analysis
methodology of a layer pulse test. The numerical simulator.
necessary to analyze a layer pulse test in communicating layers,
is validated using analytical methods. The description also
includes the successful application of this technique in a oin-
nacle reef having communicating layers.
Now with Schlumberger Middle East S.A., Abu Dhabi, United
Arab Emirates
Keywords: Formation tester, Layered reservoir, Pulse testing,
Analytical interpretation, Numerical interpretation, Applications,
Pinnacle reef, Flow-profiling.
Paper reviewed and accepted for publication by the Editorial Board of the Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology.
126
..JCPT gCj' - 0/- 13
Introduction
Reservoir permeabilities over a scale which spans interwell
distances, govern the performance of the reservoir in that
interwell area. Single well pressure transient tests, if con-
ducted long enough, help determine permeabilities over large
scales. but the permeabilities are not directional in nature.
Conventional pulse and interference tests do give directional
penneabilities in the interwell area but are limited to a single
permeability in anyone direction. A layer pulse test which con-
sists of suitable measurements in both the observation and
pulsed wells together with simple but elegant interpretation
techniques helps in estimating directional interwell perme-
abilities at different depths based on the lithological layering
of the interwell area.
This paper will propose measurement and interpretation
methodology for estimation of layer permeabilities in com-
municating and non-communicating layers. The utilization of
the RFfTM(1) Service in openhole in the observation well and
production or injection logging(2) in the pulsed well are an in-
tegral part of this testing scheme. The interpretation pro-
cedures available could be analytical or numerical in nature
based on the complexity of the reservoir.
Analytical solutions or type cm:ves can be used to describe
homogeneous reservoirs only, while numerical procedures
should be used to interpret a heterogeneous reservoir(S).
Analytical interpretation techniques are available(J4) to inter-
pret a conventional pulse test. It has also been documented
that the wellbore storage effect and non-zero skin has to be
corrected{6.IJ) for, in a conventional pulse test.
Woods(7) has touched on the problem of a conventional pulse
test response in a two-layer reservoir. He also suggests produc-
tion logging in the pulsed well to estimate layer flow rates.
Because a conventional pulse test measures one pressure in the
observation well, at best, Wood's technique could give a layer
transmissibility (or permeability) ratio between the two layers.
This computation also required for the skin to be zero or same
in both the layers.
A layer pulse test in a reservoir having non-communicating
layers but with commingled production or injection in the
pulsed well could be analyzed both analytically and numerical-
ly. In a reservoir in which the layers communicate and the
pulsed well has commingled production or injection a
numerical reservoir simulator(lO) can be used to analyze the
results. The RFf pressures in observation well also preclude
the correction required for wellbore storage effects.
The numerical reservoir simulator, RFTSIM, is a three-
dimensional. multi-phase, single equation simulator(IO}. In this
simulator it is implicitly assumed that the saturations do not
The Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology
 '~,----------------------------------.
I, MUD CAKE

li~~
.,,,,,
;

Ii K'=Md
.""

ANALYTICAL
JJP ,w2doys FROM
,'.

LINE SOIJRCE SOLUrJON

PULSED WEll OBSERVATION WELL 9.82pJl (617IrPo)
CASED OPEN HOLE

FIGURE la. Single-layer reservoir model.

I 24,. ~
IlP,2duys

I------------j;
K: IOOOMd.
I'
"2~04 4 - 24946
"9 8M' (67.:571rFb) 0

PULSE Q. 2000 STB/d (.3IBm 3/d)

"'~~O------~------~'------~3------~4~----~'
TIME (DAYS)

FIGURE 2a. Single-layer model response in observation well.

14ooft. (42.6.73m)
PUlSED WELL OPEN HOLE
CASED

FIGURE lb. Three-layer reservoir model. .. '--,.

"
: ....
change over the short duration of the pulse. In this paper,
RFfSIM is validated using the line-source solution (9) to the
diffusivity equation, the analytical method of Brigham(3) for
pulses of equal duration and the analytical technique of Ehlig-
Economides(') for commingled flow in the pulsed well, At this
point the measurement methodology is included. A synthetic
pulse test is then interpreted. This synthetic pulse was . ,,~'

~,
generated using RFTSIM and was for non-communicating
layers. Another synthetic pulse test generated for com-
municating layers, will be discussed. Finally an actual layer
pulse test done in a pinnacle reef in Alberta having com-
municating layers is described. F'NY:~ -'-.. ~.
'.'
Validation of the Numerical Simulator I J-'L 02139d /-;
The numerical simulator has to be validated and used to ,,
1.-.1 (.3067m~

generate synthetic pulses in a single layer and a three-layer -------~._------~i-!~------._------_1

system. This will demonstrate the underlying differences in the
nature of pulse propagation in the two systems,
Line Source Solution
A single-layer reservoir model is simulated on RFfSIM. Figure
la shows the schematic of the observation and pulsed wells.
The pulsed well is drawn down and the pressure-time response
at the observation well is shown in Figure 2a. The line-source
solution for a single drawdown is (no skin and no wellbore
storage):
2
-9330qB
E'[ -7,036(IO)4"Sr
6p = kh"' kt
] ,
(S.1. uruts) " ........ ,,'" (I)
If we substitute the values used as input to the numerical
simulator in Eq. (I) which are q=318 m 3 /d; B= 1.2;
1'=1.6 mPa.s; k=looo md; </>=0.19; c,=3,7(IO)-6kPa-';
h = 7.62 m; r = 426,73 m; and T = 48 hrs, the pressure drop
(Ap) is calculated as 67,7 kPa, RFfSIM gave a pressure drop
of 67.57 kPa, The numerical and analytical results agree very
well.
The numerical model was a radial r - 0 - z model with 30
(30 x I x I) grid blocks. The pulsed well was in the centre of
the radial model while the observation well was at R = 21.
~~o 2 4 6 8
TIME (DAYS)
FIGURE 2b. Single-layer model Oayer kb = 1000 md).
Brigham's Method
The single-layer numerical model was used to generate pulses
of equal duration. The rate was maintalned at 318 m'/d for 48
hrs and then the well was shut-in for 48 brs and this sequence
was repeated. Figure 3a shows the pressure response at the
observation well. First even pulse measured in the observation
well (Fig, 2b) is analyzed using Brigham's (3) method, The
time-lag (tJ is 0,213 days while the pulse amplitude (Ap",) is
38.53 kPa (5.5876 psi). From Tables I and 2 of Brigham's
work (3) at a dimensional time-lag (toJ of [(0,213/2) = 0.1065]
the following values are picked:
(6tmo)(tm ) = 0.322: (6PmO)(t20v = 0,()()57 ."""".".".".".,,. (2)
The transmissibility, based on the above parameters is '.- .. '
,
estimated to be 49996 md-m/mPa's (15239 md - ftlcp). Using '.
"...... ,'"
the viscosity and net pay thickness values given above the ~ <0';

The outer radius of the reservoir model was at 2179 m and was
considered far enough for the duration of the pulses to have
any boundary effect on the pressure response in the observa-
tion well.
JanuaryFebruary 1989, Volume 28, No, 1
permeability is estimated to be 975 md as compared to 1000
md, input to the simulator, A 2.5 '10 difference in the
permeabilities is not surprising as the tables in Brigham's work
were also generated using a numerical procedure.
127