Optimizing Reservoir Testing Operations With Downhole Wireless Telemetry System

Abstract

Abstract A new wireless telemetry system has been field tested in a variety of conditions in Middle East with excellent reliability. This wireless system enables bidirectional communication between the surface and downhole tools during testing operations by using acoustic signal. The wireless telemetry is used to transmit bottomhole pressure and temperature to the surface and permits control of downhole tools. This paper will describe the operating principle of the wireless system, present examples of how this system has been used to optimize the testing operations and summarize the key benefits achieved. The real time downhole data, compared with memory data has shown good match, has been streamed to client office successfully in real time, realized benefits from the operation and reservoir aspects for a vertical deep offshore well: Efficient management of wellbore events; providing operational awareness about tools status; refining the test sequences in real time, verifying underbalanced prior to perforation, monitoring stimulation pressures at sandface to avoid fracturing, updating the reservoir interpretation in real-time, optimizing the duration of flowing well sequences (clean up) and verifying the achievement of test objectives prior to retrieving DST string. Introduction Exploratory well testing to evaluate hydrocarbon bearing zones in new fields is normally performed with a drilling rig on location. The main objective of exploration well testing is to capture representative data on the reservoir and fluids by acquiring surface and downhole measurements in optimum time and cost manner. Wireless telemetry system that can transmit data from the bottom hole to the surface instead of solely relying on surface data and waiting for downhole sensor retrieval at the end of the test enables achieving this objective. There are some systems in use in the industry while they are far from the efficiency due to following reasons: 1- Wireless System providers and overall downhole testing operations providers are different that usually brings the integration of the service issues 2- The Wireless System providers lack of the testing operation sequence and data flow 3- Wireless system providers do not have the testing real time capability and domain expertise that can upgrade the service level to solution level 4- The Available wireless telemetry systems within the main testing service providers has been limited to certain environments. Onshore and Low noise environments.