The Use of Wireline Formation Tester for Optimization of Conventional Well Test Design and Interpretation

Abstract

During the exploration and appraisal phases field data is collected for the determination of reservoir parameters which will govern the Field Development and production strategy. Permeability-thickness, hydrocarbon properties and reservoir extent are critical parameters acquired during this phase which are used to evaluate expected well and reservoir performance. Dynamic Flow tests, combined with Downhole Fluid Analysis and fluid samples are commonly used to obtain this information. The most common flow tests today use either Wireline Formation Testers (WFT) for small scale tests, or Drill Stem Tests (DST) for larger scale flow tests. This paper will describe a workflow in which the information acquired from the small scale WFT tests can be used to optimize the design and execution of the larger, and typically more costly, DST’s. The ultimate goal of the workflow is to increase the value of the information obtained, and the overall success rate of the DST’s performed.

Improved Oil Reservoir Characterization: Offshore Malaysia Field

“…Moreover, without the good prior knowledge on the reservoir pressure and reservoir fluid type, the well testing may face the problems (Kumar et al 2010) including failure to flow to surface, insufficient rates to clean the formation or to lift the liquid loading or non-hydrocarbon production which resulted in non-necessary cost, time and operational risks in exploration phase. However, with such low mobility, the cost for the operation can be very high as the result of stimulation work needed before the well testing.…”