Development of Statistical Engineering Process for Analyzing Coiled Tubing Experimental Data

Abstract

TX 75083 -3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952 -9435. AbstractThe d evelopment of coiled tubing technology and its applications have been the hot issues in the oil and gas industry for over two decades. Since improper data analysis may lead to quite a different result in the estimation of friction pressure losses and flow regime, the development of precise data processing methodology is an essential tool to provide reliable experimental analysis results. Coiled tubing experimental data are greatly influenced by mechanical system vibrations in coiled tubing reel, delayed response time, and harmonized response of sensors due to long coiled tubing flow loops. However, no reliable standardized experimental data analysis methods are currently available that take into account quantitatively the parameters affecting experimental data.A new highly reliable statistical engineering method for analyzing coiled tubing experimental data has been developed. It is based on an enormous database gathered over a many years of coiled tubing fluid tests using 1,000 and 2,000 ft long coiled t ubing with field-scale equipment. This method provides engineers and researchers statistical tools to differentiate the highly suspected outliers from the experimental data. This paper discusses the risk of the industry method (simple average), which is widely accepted by the oil and gas industry, in removing the outliers from the experimental data. The differences in the eventual data analysis results obtained from the industry method and from the statistical engineering approach are discussed. A spe cific process of the total uncertainty analysis of experimental measurements with a 95 percent confidence estimation in precision limit and the bias limit is also presented. This statistical engineering method, developed by the Well Construction Technology Center at the University of Oklahoma, is disclosed to the public in order to enhance coiled tubing technologies and to broaden its applications.