High-Speed Downhole Memory Recorder and Software Used to Design and Confirm Perforating/Propellant Behavior and Formation Fracturing

Abstract

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractPropellants, now sometimes combined with perforating guns, have the potential to clean up damaged perfs, penetrate nearwellbore damage, and create formation fracturing. Although some of these dynamic techniques have been available for years, the lack of a standard measurement and analysis method has restricted their widespread use. Now, improved ultra high-speed downhole memory data recorders and computer software fully incorporating well, perforation, and tool details address this issue. Hardware and software are described. Several demonstration cases show the use of this technology in the field for vertical and deviated cased and open hole wells. Dynamic pressure data are compared with calculations and the realism of the results is shown, as well as how to make procedural and design improvements. The combination of the new recorder and software for the design and evaluation of dynamic well treatments allows the optimization of job design, and the evaluation of post-job results to understand tool performance and improve future tools and applications.

Field Application Study of Zinc Based, Low Debris Perforating Charges

“…We have developed a dynamic perforation modeling software that can predict and model risk-related phenomena (shock physics). Over the past few years, several successful validations using high-speed gauge data and other experimental observations have been conducted (Schatz et al 1999and 2004, Schatz. 1992, Schatz et al1989, Bale et al 2014.…”

The Importance of Pre-Job Shock Modeling as a Risk Mitigation Tool in TCP Operations

“…As an alternative, over the last two decades, the perforating community has been developing and exploring the use of numerical models to model dynamic downhole well conditions. Recent works of Schatz et al 1999and 2004, Baumann et al 2010and Burman et al 2011 are worth mentioning. Nevertheless, modeling a dynamic perforating system is not straight forward and involves a number of challenges and requirements as listed in Fig.…”

“…-Small time scales with long working zones -Detonation/Deflagration waves -Complex tooling and perforation geometry Data Analysis and Interpretation -Must build cautious and constrained conclusions -Answer the right questions for risk analysis and mitigation -Field-scale interpretation through lab-scale modeling and experimentation Motivated by the above challenges and requirements, an industry-leading dynamic downhole perforation modeling software has been developed and successfully demonstrated in the last two decades (Schatz et al 1999and 2004, Schatz. 1992, Schatz et al 1989). The modeling software has evolved as a computational model capable of simulating transient, downhole perforating events.…”

Predicting Wellbore Dynamic-Shock Loads Prior to Perforating

“…The physics-based model has been validated (Schatz et al 1999;Schatz et al 2004) many times by using special high speed recorders (Fig. 1) that sense pressure, temperature, and acceleration at a sampling frequency of 115,000 samples per second.…”

“…A timemarching, finite-differences technique is applied as the numerical method for both fluids and solids. The software is installed on a personal computer and typically executes the models within several minutes to several hours, depending on the complexity of the job design.The physics-based model has been validated (Schatz et al 1999;Schatz et al 2004) with special high-speed recorders that sense pressure, temperature, and acceleration at a sampling frequency of 115,000 samples per second.This paper provides data from offshore oil and gas wells in the Gulf of Mexico to demonstrate the success of the design. …”