The introduction of downhole fluid analysis (DFA) two decades ago was a major addition to the wireline formation testing suite of measurements previously available in the industry, both in to optimize the sampling operations real-time and to provide additional fluid measurements as an integral component of integrated fluid property interpretations. The progression from basic measurements such as fluid resistivity to advanced optical analysis has paved the way for much improved definition of reservoir fluids, including the variation of fluids within reservoirs. Downhole Fluid Analysis is a continuously evolving field, so we will begin this paper by looking back at the history and evolution of various types of sensors for operational real-time decision making as well as post-operational fluid evaluation. Our emphasis will be to catalogue the strengths and limitations of each method and highlight the importance of integration. We will then highlight current capability gaps, focusing on the need for improved real-time contamination monitoring in some environments of interest and our desire to measure additional fluid properties and specific species concentrations.

The introduction of downhole fluid analysis (DFA) two decades ago was a major addition to the wireline formation testing suite of measurements previously available in the industry, both in real-time to optimize the sampling operations and to provide additional fluid measurements as an integral component of integrated fluid property interpretations. The progression from basic measurements such as fluid resistivity to advanced optical analysis has paved the way for much improved definition of reservoir fluids, including the variation of fluids within reservoirs. Downhole Fluid Analysis is a continuously evolving field, so we will begin this paper by looking back at the evolution and application of various types of sensors for operational real-time decision making as well as post-operational fluid evaluation. We will then highlight current capability gaps, focusing on the need for improved real-time contamination monitoring in some environments of interest and our desire to measure additional fluid properties and specific species concentrations.

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The use of pressure transient data in the field of Formation Testing in efforts to describe productivity and permeability of reservoirs is considered mature technology, particularly when applied to data collected through production testing. The extension of this technique to data obtained using Wireline Formation Testers, where either a single probe or a straddle packer is used to propagate a pressure pulse into a reservoir, has been gaining momentum in the industry over the past decade, however the integration of these outputs with other measurements of rock and fluid data is not always straight forward. This paper presents different methods of using pressure transient data from Wireline Formation Testers such as quantitative permeability determination, identification of permeability discrepancies in homogenous clastic formations, upscaling of permeability in a complex stacked reservoir and comparison of Wireline Formation Tester and conventional well test derived permeabilities. Additionally, this paper highlights the challenges one faces while planning, acquiring and interpreting pressure transient data from Wireline Formation Testers, as well as the importance of real-time monitoring and control of data.