Visual Analytics: Improving Wellbore Diagnostics with Integrated Video Caliper Datasets

Abstract

Objectives/Scope High quality downhole video footage provides highly accessible, easily understood datasets for users across a wide range of disciplines in the oil and gas industry. Image interpretation is often intuitive, providing immediate understanding of complex downhole situations. This information is used to identify and understand problems relating to restrictions, leaks, corrosion, tubular deposits, fish, the condition and functional status of valves and other engineered components, along with numerous other undesirable downhole conditions. Step changes in downhole video and image processing, along with the evolution of visual analytics has increased the scope and effectiveness of diagnostic services using this technology. Visual analytics is either the direct dimensioning of digital images or their integration with measurements from other sensors. This paper will demonstrate how the combination of video images with wellbore geometry measurements from a multi-finger caliper instrument provide a more comprehensive understanding of well challenges, while reducing operational time, risk and cost. Methods, Procedures, Process In connection with the operational experience, a four-stage workflow will be described detailing: Well fluid preparation, which is generally an underestimated requirement for obtaining high quality video footage. Acquisition of video images from both down and side viewing cameras, allowing overall wellbore conditions as well as specific features of interest to be identified and captured. Recording of multi-finger caliper data over relevant zones of the well providing a high-resolution array of accurate internal diameter measurements. Analysis and reporting of both sensors within an interactive reporting platform. Results, Observations, Conclusions The paper will show how caliper measurements combined with video images were able to confidently determine the exact status of the challenge at hand. Additionally, we demonstrate how the service was able to diagnose and uncover the downhole conditions, which would not have been correctly interpreted in any other form of well intervention. Each of these operational experiences provides an insight into the technical capability of the tool and interpretation platform to provide 3-D images as well as visual referencing across the depth of investigation. Lessons learned from these interventions and subsequent diagnostic analysis provided an opportunity to correctly identify the root causes behind the wellbore accessibility challenges and take appropriate corrective actions. Novel/Additive Information The paper will provide evidence that visual analytics and the integrated video caliper technology can be used to fully understand a variety of downhole conditions. It can further help diagnose root causes of various downhole challenges, which were not correctly identifiable with commercially available technologies previously. Critically, it provides production and well intervention engineers with the unambiguous data required to confidently plan effective remediation of wellbore related challenges.