Ultrahigh H2S Well-Testing Operations Using Automated Surface Solutions

Abstract

Abstract Automation of surface well-testing solutions has enabled the oil and gas industry to safely explore and produce high-risk wells and formations with unprecedentedly high levels of process assurance and quality. Surface well-testing operations are regularly performed throughout the lifecycle of oil and gas wells to evaluate potential reserves in exploration wells initially, and later to monitor changes in well or reservoir parameters in producing wells. The collected information is critical to optimizing hydrocarbon asset management. Such surface well-testing operations present risk associated with control, evaluation, and disposal of produced hydrocarbon at the rig/wellsite. Additionally, these operations can be demanding in terms of manpower because considerably large crews are necessary to operate equipment safely and efficiently. Furthermore, risks are elevated when high levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas are present in well effluent because it can present imminent and elevated hazards to personnel health and equipment integrity. To help address risks associated with high H2S concentrations in an exploration well located in a remote desert location, A new automated surface well-testing technologies for automated control and operation of critical surface well-testing equipment was recently deployed. Incorporated as part of this automated process was a zero-emission gas sampling and analysis technology. Additionally, new criteria for equipment selection and acceptance were adopted to help reduce risks to as low as reasonable when flowing hydrocarbon at the surface with such ultrahigh concentrations of H2S. Using automated well-testing, sampling, and analysis technologies enabled the safe and efficient completion of three well tests with observed H2S concentrations up to 40% while reducing crew size and removing them from the red-zone area; there were also zero emissions in the working area.