SPE

SPE 21174
Computerized Well Analysis
by A. L. Podio* - UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN and J. N.
McCoy* - ECHOMETER CENTER
* SPE members
Copyright 1990, SocIety 01 Pelroleum Englnee,.
This paper was prepared lor presentation al the SPE latin American PlllroleumEngineering Conlerence held In Rio de Jenelro, October 1 1910.
This Paper waa selected lor presentallon by an SPE Program Coomlttee lollowlng review oflnlorma1lon contained In an alllllrllCt .,bmlI1ecI by the E
author(s). Contents ollhe peper, as presented, have not been reviewed by lhe SocIety 01 Petroleum Englnee,. and era .,bjee:l1O correction by
the author(s). The malerlal, as pr_ted, does nOI _rtly reflect any p<IlIIlIon of the SocIety of Pelroleum Engineers, 118 ofllcera, or
membe,.. Papers presenled at SPE meetings are subject to publication review by Editorial ConwnIttaea of the SocIety or Petroleum Engineers.
Permission to copy la res1rlcted to an abslrllCt 01 nol more than 300 word&. llIuetralloM may nol be copied. The abltrec:t should conlaln
conspicuous adtnowledg.....enl 01 where and by whom the paper Is preeented. Wrtta Publlca1lona SPE POBox lI33II3e
TX 75083-3838 USA. ..... .........
Abstract
A system has been developed based on a
powerful portable microcomputer and an inte-
grated data acquisition package which allows
real-time visualization of pumping well per-
formance.
The system combines all the necessary ele-
ments to obtain a complete analysis of the
performance of the pumping system which in-
cludes the pumping unit, the wellbore, and the
reservoir.
The data acquisition package is connected to
the expansion slot of the computer and consists
of the necessary analog and digital channels to
process data from standard transducers such as
acoustic, pressure, temperature, rod load,
displacement. etc. Detailed surface unit
performance curves such as dynamometer,
speed, acceleration, power etc. can be obtained
and analyzed. When the instrument is used in
conjunction with an acoustic pulse generator and
receiver, it digitizes and stores the reflected
acoustic signals which are digitally filtered and
automatically processed to determine the liquid
level. This is undertaken under program control
so that a continuous recording of fluid level vs.
time is obtained along with the pumping unit
performance parameters. Fluid level data is
processed by the software to calculate bottom-
hole pressure as well as flow into and out of the
well bore. Changing the well from flowing to
shut in conditions allows recording of pressure
of reservoir parameters.
The Well Visualization display can be used
as a diagnostic tool to optimize pumping well
performance on a periodic basis. The present
performance of the well is compared to its
recorded past performance and in the case where
significant differences are noted, a more detailed
analysis is undertaken to recommend changes in
operation or remedial actions. In critical well
applications, the system can function as a stand-
alone dedicated controller.
Well Performance Visualization
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the Well
Visualization System which results from the
integration of various surface measurements
with well data base information and with
software packages designed for diagnostic
analysis of well performance, The sy.stem's
objective is to yield an accurate and timely
analysis of the well for the present operating
conditions and to predict the effect of
operational changes on well performance.
Integration of these elements has been made
possible only recently through the development
of portable microcomputers and hybrid data
acquisition electronics, improved low cost
transducers, and PC-based analysis, data base
management and graphics software.
2 CDMPOTERlZED WELL ANALYSIS
SPE 21174
Well performance in the context of this
paper addresses the complete well system in-
cluding: the reservoir, the wellbore and the
pumping components. Visualization of well
performance is thus defined as: the ability to
understand how these elements interact
to yield the present conditions of
pressure, flow rates, loads, efficiency,
etc.
This ability allows the production engineer
to evaluate the effect of changes in the operating
parameters such as speed, stroke, surface
pressure, on/off time, etc. and/or changes in the
well configuration such as pump depth, rod
sizes, surface unit geometry, well stimulation,
etc. on the overall performance of the well.
For many years, the industry has had access
to the individual components of this system:
acoustic well soundings, dynamometer
measurements, well test records, pressure
sensors, transient well test data, etc. The Well
Visualization System unifies all these elements
to provide the complete picture of the
performance of the well. Figure 2 is a schematic
that allows visualization of the well's
performance.
The data presented in this graphic display
give at a glance the principal parameters to make
an initial evaluation of the well's performance.
'fhe operator controls the data in the boxed
fields and performs any of four operations
depending on the nature of the parameter:
Enter a new value.
Acquire data.
Recall stored values.
Request More Details.
For example: values such as gas, oil and
water production are parameters that are gen-
erally entered manually or recalled from a
data base; polished rod load, annular liquid
level, motor current, are generally acquired
using the Analyzer. Plunger travel, pump
efficiency and flowing bottom-hole pressure are
parameters that are calculated in detail from
analysis of the other data.
Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the
hardware and software configuration that are
required for implementation of the Well
Visualization System for which the two corner-
stone elements are Acoustic Well Soundings and
Pump Performance Measurements.
Acoustic Well Soundings
Acoustic echo-ranging techniques to gener-
ate well soundings have been in effect for over
fifty years to aid in the analysis of pumping
wells 1. Early application was limited to
determining the presence of liquid in the annulus
above the pump. If liquid was found over the
pump then the operator knew that additional
production was available if a larger pump "Yas
installed; or, if the pump were not operatmg
properly, that the pump should be pulled and
repaired.
Soon after the development of these in-
struments, some operators realized that proper
interpretation of the records could yield
additional information. In particular bottom-hole
pressure was calculated from the summation of
the surface casing pressure plus the gas column
hydrostatic and the liquid column hydrostatic
pressures. This presumed some knowledge of
the density and distribution of the oil and water
in the liquid column especially in the case of
shut-in wells where relatively high liquid
columns were observed.
Operators also observed that in those in-
stances where gas was vented from the annulus
the calculated bottom-hole pressure was ex-
cessively high. This was attributed to the
lowering of the effective liquid gradient by the
presence of gas bubbles in the liquid column
above the perforations. C. P. Walker
2
patented
a method for determining the density of annular
liquid columns whiCh are by gas
bubbling upward through the hqUld. Walker
presented a technique wherC?by a
valve is used to control and mcrease the casmg-
head pressure causing the annular liquid level to
fall a distance corresponding to the pressure
increase. The gradient of the gaseous liquid is
calculated by dividing the change in pressure at
the top of the gaseous liquid column by the
corresponding drop in liquid level. This gradient
is then used to calculate the bottom-hole pres-
sure.
If the back-pressure valve setting is further
increased until the the top of the gaseous liquid
column is stabilized in the vicinity of the pump
intake, which generally is near the perforations,
then the producing bottom-hole pressure can be
estimated quite accurately since the contribution
of the hydrostatic pressure from a short
gaseous-liquid column is small in. relation to. the
casing-head pressure, and errors m the
estimate will not significantly affect the resultmg
total pressure. In the majority of producing
wells in the United States, the liquid level is
near the pump inlet and the casing-head pressure
plus the gas hydrostatic will yield a very close
estimate of the producing bottom-hole pressure.
This method which was presented over 50
years ago is still one of the most useful methods
SPE 21174 A. L. PODIO AND J. N. MOODY 3
of obtaining accurate producing bottom-hole
pressure.
Recent studies by Podia, McCoy, et a1. 3
have presented a technique of obtaining the
casing annulus gas flow rate by measurement of
the casing annulus gas pressure buildup rate.
Utilizing the casing annulus pressure buildup
rate and the void volume in the annulus, a
reasonably accurate casing-head gas flow rate
can be obtained. Knowing this flow rate, an
estimate of the liquid column gradient is
made. using an experimentally determined field
data correlation. This permits to calculate a
reasonably accurate producing bottom-hole
pressure even when gaseous liquid columns
exist above the pump.
~ operator can also determine the specific
graVIty of the gas when an acoustic well
sounding is made since the acoustic velocity and
the pressure are measured and the average gas
temperature can be estimated. Determination of
the annular gas specific gravity permits a more
accurate calculation of the gas column pressure.
Funher refinements in obtaining bottom-
hole pressures by improvements in determining
the gas column pressure and the liquid column
pressure along with electronic and mechanical
improvements in processing and automation de-
vices resulted in the development of equipment
tQ obtain acoustic liquid level data and casing
pressure data automatically without the need of
operator assistance
4
Computer-based Acoustic Measurements
Digital signal processing, utilized so ex-
tensively by the geophysical industry, and the
availability of small lap-top computers offer
significant advances and improvements in
acoustic well sounding. Three important
achievements are possible by utilization of a
microcomputer. First, the computer can process
the acoustic data digitally to obtain more
accurate liquid level depths, automatically.
Second, the determination of bottom-hole
pressures from the acoustic liquid level
measurement, the surface pressure, and prop-
erties of the produced fluids is automatically
available. Third, the computer offers automatic
operation of the equipment in that the computer
can be programmed to perform well soundings
and obtain casing pressure measurements on
command, without operator attention.
The Well Analyzer's computer and AID con-
verter can be used in conjunction with any
modern manually or remotely operated acoustic
gas gun and microphone. The gas gun gener-
ates an acoustic pulse. The microphone con-
verts the reflected acoustic pressure pulses to
electrical signals. These signals are digitized by
the analog to digital (AID) converter and stored
in the computer. This configuration is illustrated
in Figure 4. The computer displays these signals
and processes the data as instructed by software
to automatically determine liquid level depth.
The analysis yields not only the distance to
liquid level, but also the producing bottom-hole
pressure, therefore, the casing pressure must be
measured at the time of liquid level
determination. If liquid is present above the
formation and gas is flowing upward in the
casing annulus, the casing vent valve should be
closed and sequential measurements of casing
pressure should be made for approximately 10-
15 minutes so that an accurate casing pressure
buildup rate can be obtained. From this and the
annulus void volume, the casing annulus gas
flow rate is calculated. This allows
determination of the gaseous liquid column
gradient if liquid exists above the pump.
Software performs multiple functions in this
analysis. First, well data are recalled from the
database. This includes the well depth, pump
depth, average tubing joint length, formation
fluid properties, formation temperature, well test
data and other parameters. These data are
necessary for accurate bottom-hole pressure
determination. Software also processes the
signal echoes from the well and determines the
distance to the liquid level. The operator is
alerted if liquid exists above the formation and a
computer analysis of the background noise
indicates the probability of a gaseous liquid
column. Further analysis based on inflow
performance includes an estimate of the
maximum production rate of the well if the
producing bottom-hole pressure were reduced to
a minimum value.
Detailed Acoustic Analysis
When the acoustic liquid level is determined,
the display, shown in Figure 5, is observed by
the operator after an acoustic pulse has been
generated at the surface of the well and reflected
signals are received by the microphone. The top
insert shows the raw data. The beginning is at
the left. The background noise, the initial
acoustic pulse and the reflected signals are
shown. Data are recorded past the time at which
the liquid level reflection is expected. The
vertical line at the liquid level kick indicates the
exact time which the software selected as the
onset of the liquid level signal. The liquid level
kick is at 8.113 seconds.
Automatic selection of the liquid level
reflection is undertaken by a pattern recognition
scheme that involves the amplitude, polarity,
4
CXMPUTERlZED WELL ANALYSIS
sPE 21174
width and phase shift of the received signals.
The software scans the digitized record and
selects all the signals that satisfy the pattern
requirements, then selects the most probable to
present to the operator. The arrow keys can be
used to scan through the other possible liquid
level signals.
The lower right hand inset shows the detail
of the liquid level signal.selected by the
software. Note that for this well, which is
typical of many pumping wells with the fluid at
or I1ear the perforations, the liquid level signal is
preceded by a negative-going signal produced
by the tubing anchor ( at about 7.9 seconds).
The presence of the perforations just above the
liquid level is observed as a positive-going
signal prior to the large negative spike caused by
the liquid reflection.
The two vertical lines shown in the main
upper window at 3.5 and 4.5 seconds delimit
data which are shown as raw signal on the
lower left hand insert. This raw signal is
processed to accent collar reflections and is
displayed immediately above the raw signal.
The software determines an estimate of the total
number of collars from the surface to the liquid
level using the frequency of this processed
signal as an average value of collar count per
unit time;
Using the PAGE-UPIPAGE-DOWN keys
the operator controls the signal scale for the top
presentation of the data. This allows detailed
examination of the raw signal as a means of
quality control and to insure that the proper kick
has been selected for the liquid level response.
Observation of this display allows the op-
erator to visualize the background noise present
in the well before the shot, the transmitted
pulse, the reflections from the collars and the
liquid level kick. In general the software
selection of the liquid level will correspond to
the correct determination. However, if a tubing
anchor, upper perforations, a paraffin ring or
other obstructions exist in the annulus, the
program may select one of these signals as the
liquid level. In these instances the operator can
use the arrow keys to displace the liquid level
marker to the proper time. After this is done in
subsequent tests the software will not accept the
earlier signal arrivals. In some extremely
difficult conditions, identification of the proper
liquid level reflection may necessitate artificially
moving the liquid level either by shutting down
the well or increasing casing pressure in order to
verify that the proper signal has been identified
as the liquid level reflection.
After the raw data has been displayed the
operator has the choice of a display of the well
analysis sheet, a display of the acoustic data
which was processed to accent and count the
collars, or a display of the raw signal and
processed signals from which the operator can
count joints and analyze the signals. When the
operator acknowledges that the raw data and
selected liquid level kick and indicated collars
are satisfactory for analysis, the software
processes the raw data and counts the number of
joints to the liquid level. The operator can
display these processed data if desired, so as to
visualize the quality of the signal obtained from
the well and the accuracy of the count of tubing
joints to the liquid level. If the display of the
processed signal showing tubing joints is not
satisfactory to the operator, he has the option to
request a sideways printout of the raw signal
and processed signals including a band-pass
filtered signal to accent the deep collars and a
high-pass filtered signal to accent all of the
tubing collars in the well. This display and
printout of the raw data in conjunction with
filtered data allows the operator to perform a
detailed study of variations in cross sectional
area of the annulus. The printout will show
anomalies such as different tubing joint lengths,
salt rings, paraffin deposits, submersible pump
cable splices, casing holes, casing leaks, tubing
leaks, multiple tubing strings, gas lift valves,
upper perforations, changes in tubing and
casing diameters, and any other condition which
affects the area of the annulus. Examples are
shown in Figures 6a,6b and 6c. The bottom
graph displays data which has been processed to
accent deep collars by filtering so as to obtain
sinusoidal signals which are easily counted in
terms of number of collars. The upper chart
shows the raw signal processed with a high
pass filter to remove the DC and low frequency
components. The collar reflections and signals
from small anomalies are accented in this
presentation.Figure 6a shows the portion of the
signal from 1 to 2 seconds (time increases to the
right) after the shot.Collar reflection are easily
noted as sharp negative spikes. The maximum
peak to peak amplitude of the signal is 17.486
mv. at the beginning and about 1/3 of that
amount at the end of the frame. .
Figure 6b shows a detail of the signal
between 3 and 4 seconds. The peak to peak
amplitude has decayed to 2.716 mv. At about
3.6 seconds a large positive cycle can be
observed. This corresponds to the annular
enlargement caused by the change of tubing size
from 2-1/2 to 2 inch.
Figure 6c shows the signal from 7 to 8
seconds, just before the arrival of the liquid
level reflection. The negative pulse at 7.9
seconds corresponds to the annular restriction
caused by the tubing anchor and should not be
SPE 21174 A. L. PODIO AND J. N. MCCDY. 5
mistaken by the fluid level which was identified
correctly at 8.113 seconds in Figure 5.Also note
in Figure 6c that the filtered signal greatly
improves the ability of the operator to recognize
and count the collars which are hardly visible in
the raw signal which at this time has decayed to
a peak to peak amplitude of 1.657 mv.
The complete signal record, after digital
processing using a narrow-band fIlter (15.8 to
18.8 Hz. in this case) is shown in Figure
6d.Superimposed on the signal are a series of
unit spikes in phase with the signal's negative
cycles, and at a frequency which matches the
prevailing frequency of the signal.These
frequencies are indicated on the display for each
group of ten cycles beginning from 1/2 second
after the shot and ending just before the fluid
level reflection. The first group frequency is
used to extrapolate back to zero time (yielding
8.7 cycles) and the last group frequency is used
to extrapolate forward to the fluid level
reflection yielding 1.4 cycles. The total number
of cycles is summed to yield 140.1 cycles
corresponding to an equal number of tubing
joints.Using the tubing tally or average tubing
joint length the distance to the fluid level is then
calculated to be 4260 feet
The operator thus can use these screens and
printouts to analyze the conditions in the well
and to insure that the data is satisfactory and
further computations can proceed and will yield
accurate results.
Detailed Well Analysis Display
Acceptance of the computer's interpretation
of the acoustic data, results in the detailed well
analysis screen display shown in Figure 7.
The objective of this display is to provide
complete visualization of the wellbore
conditions at the time of the measurement. The
figure is divided in two sections: on the right is
a schematic diagram of the wellbore and
reservoir configuration, on the left are several
blocks containing quantitative infonnation about
the well and its past performance.
The quantitative data on the left half of the
figure is designed to present vital information
about the well. In the upper left hand block, the
well, company, operator and data are shown.
Well data are shown in the block immediately
below. In the bottom block recent BHP
measurements are summarized. In the upper
right block, the results from the latest
production test are included. The central block is
used to present the results of well performance
analysis based on a Vogel-type IPR
relationship. This includes the current producing
rate efficiency and the maximum potential
production achievable by reducing bottom-hole
pressure to a minimum value.
The well schematic includes important pa-
rameters such as tubing depth, perforation depth
and other characteristics. The currently
measured casing pressure, casing pressure
buildup rate and the calculated casing annulus
gas flow rate and gravity are printed opposite
the gas portion of the well. Just below are
printed the depth to the gas-liquid interface and
the percentage of liquid present in the gaseous
liquid column. At the bottom of the well are
printed the calculated producing bottom-hole
pressure (PBHP) and the most current value of
static reservoir pressure (SBHP).
Every fifteen seconds during the time since
the fluid level shot was fired, the computer
automatically acquires the casing-head pressure
to determine the annular gas flow rate.For this
well this is shown in Figure 7a, which indicates
an increase in pressure of 1 psi in 2.5 minutes.
The linearity of this increase is also an indication
that steady state flow has been established in
this well. An erratic pressure profile would
indicate that additional pumping should be
continued before additional testing is to be
undertaken. This rate of casing pressure buildup
is used to calculate the annular gas flow rate in
conjunction with the annular geometry and the
gas fraction in the fluid column is determined
using a correlation determined from numerous
field measurements 3
In this example, the 82-ft fluid column
above datum consists of a mixture of oil and gas
with about 59% liquid. This column's
hydrostatic, plus the annular gas hydrostatic and
the casing-head pressure result in a producing
bottom-hole pressure of 103 psia.Considering
that the stabilized formation pressure is 1214
psia, and using Vogel's IPR relation, the
program determined that this well is being
produced at 98% of the maximum producible
rate.
Analysis of Wells With i ~ Fluid Levels
Operators often interpret the existence of a
high fluid level as an indication that a well is not
being produced as efficiently as possible.
Remedies for this situation include increasing
pump displacement by varying pump stroke and
strokes per minute, lowering the pump and/or
replacing the pumping unit with a larger one.
Often however, the desired production increase
does not materialize because the well's
performance was not accurately analyzed
Figure 8 shows an example of a well in
which it was detennined that an annular fluid
column of about 3050 feet in height is present
above the datum. Figure 8a shows that casing
6 COMPlJTh'RIZED WEilJ ANALYSIS sPE 21174
pressure buildup which was measured during
the test and which yields an increase of 33.8 psi
in 13.7 minutes. The software determined that
this corresponds to an annular gas flow rate of
147.9 MCF/Day, which yield an annular fluid
column which is a gas-oil mixture with only
23% liquid. The resulting flowing bottom-hole
pressure of 321.4 psia indicates that the well is
being produced at 96% of the maximum flow
rate. In this case any attempts at decreasing the
fluid level above the formation will result in
virtually no increased production.
''On the other hand the well analysis shown
in Figure 9, which indicates a fluid column of
1835 feet above datum which is determined to
consist of 88% liquid based on the casing
pressure buildup of 0.4 psi in 4.3 minutes
shown in Figure 9a. In this case the producing
bottom-hole pressure of 631.1 psia when
compared with the reservoir pressure of 1003
psia indicates that additional drawdown is
possible and the present rate is only 56% of the
maximum achievable rate. The well is thus a
good candidate for a study to determine the
appropriate actions needed to reduce the fluid
column above the formation.
Automatic Qperation
The automatic acoustic liquid level con-
figuration (Figure 4) consists of the computer,
AID converter and the remote-fire wellhead
including the gas gun, microphone, and
pressure transducer. A 12-volt battery (which is
similar to batteries used in automobiles) and a
larger gas supply bottle for operating the gas
gun are used when undertaking long duration
tests.
The operator programs the computer to ob-
tain data points. Each data point consists of the
time, the distance to the liquid level and the
casing pressure measurement. Data points are
obtained as programmed by the operator. Data
points can be obtained on a shots per hour or
shots per log cycle basis. This offers
considerable versatility in the acquisition of
data.
The software obtains data points as pro-
grammed by the operator. This data is pro-
cessed to obtain bottom-hole pressures. The
casing pressure, liquid level depths and bottom-
hole pressures are utilized in conventional
buildup analysis plots to determine well and
reservoir characteristics as shown in Figure 10.
Software also includes type-curves to aid in
analysis of data.
Acoustic Data Storage
The computer and AID converter convert the
analog signal from the microphone to digitized
data. This data along with time and casing
pressure are stored on a floppy disk. This data
can be transported to another computer for
further processing.
Beam Pump Performance Measurements
In The United States rod pumping contin-
ues to be the most widely used method of ar-
tificiallift. Current economic conditions dictate
that maximum efficiency be maintained in these
installations at all times so that new and easier
methods of design and analysis are being
developed almost continually. These methods
are principally based on Gilbert's5 and Fagg's6
development of the beam pump dynamometer
where the load at the polished rod was recorded
graphically as a function of the travel to generate
a chart which represented the work undertaken
at the surface unit for every pump stroke.
Modern developments have concentrated in
refining the techniques for interpretation of the
characteristics of this load-displacement curve
so that a detailed analysis of the system can be
undertaken which yields among other:
Load distribution in the rod
string
Load-displacement at the pump
Valve operation and leakage
Surface torque, counterbalance
efficiency.
Fatigue loading, rod buckling
Motor performance
Recently, with the advent of high perfor-
mance digital data acquisition systems, attention
has been given to an even more complete
analysis of pumping unit performance. Lea and
Bowen7 present results from simultaneous
measurements of ten dynamic parameters
(Kilowatts input,power factor, motor torque,
gear torque,polished rod position, velocity,
acceleration and load, motor speed and unit's
strokes per minute. Their study concluded that
this type of data was very useful in calculation
of pumping unit losses which are needed for
accurate torque calculation and prime mover
sizing. They also indicate that these data
combined with simultaneous measurement of
downhole pump performance and wellbore
pressures would yield a complete analysis of the
beam pumping system.
Dynamometer measurements
The Well Analyzer provides means to ac-
quire data from load and position transducers in
L- -'- ~ __. .-l
SPE 21174 A. L. PODIO AND J. N. MCCOV
7
order to undertake conventional and/or advanced
dynamometer analysis.
In this mode the system's principal objective
is to provide the maximum flexibility with
regard to data acquisition, so that the operator
can select various types of commercially
available transducers or use custom units of his
own design. The analyzer provides means for
acquiring and displaying the dynamometer data
and to store the same information on diskette for
further processing and analysis.
Loatl Measurement
The accuracy required for quantitative dy-
namometer analysis limits load measurement to
using some type of strain gage load cell
8
Ac-
cordingly rod load input from multi-element
resistive bridges is provided with the capability
of determining if accurate cell balance is
maintained. The display alerts th operator of any
potential problems. A regulated power supply is
used for accurate bridge excitation.
Position Measurement
Various types of position transducers can
be used. The unit provides the necessary ex-
citation voltage for resistive type position
indicators as well as for accelerometers in-
corporating signal conditioning and amplifi-
cation. The operator selects and enters the
necessary parameters through the set up menus.
Data Acquisition
The load and position input channels can be
sampled at a rate of up to 1000 per second,
which for normal pumping speeds will yield
more data than necessary. The operator thus
selects adequate sampling rates from a menu of
suggested values which depend on the pumping
speed. Similarly the operator has the choice of
continually recording the data stream over
numerous pumping cycles or for a specified
number of cycles as necessary. Data is stored
as pairs of values of load and position (or
acceleration) as a function of time (time series).
This is the preferred data set for subsequent
digital processing in dynamometer analysis
programs.
Depending on memory and storage media
limitations the length of the data series that can
be captured for a given sampling rate will be
different in every case. In the continuous
recording mode the most recently acquired data
will be available at a given time. When the
operator determines from the display that
adequate data has been acquired he may then
stop acquisition and the data is transferred to the
diskette.
Data presentation
Due to the speed of the lap-top computer,
the dynamometer data is displayed in real time,
either as separate load and displacement time
series or in the conventional dynamometer
presentation of load vs. displacement.
The operator can select special portions of
the data series for display in more detail so as to
study special characteristics of the signal over
one specific cycle or series of cycles. The
selected data can then be stored in separate data
files for subsequent processing, analysis and
plotting.
This is illustrated in Figure 11 which shows
the computer screen during acquisition of the
dynamometer data. The upper trace represent the
load vs. time recording.The middle trace shows
either the position, velocity or acceleration
signal vs. time depending on the type of
transducer used and the operator's choice. Data
may be acquired for a fixed length of time
(selected by operator) or continuously in a free-
running mode until interrupted from the
keyboard which freezes the display:
When the operator is satisfied with the
dynamometer waveforms, he branches to the
dynamometer visualization display which is
shown in Figure 12.
The principal objective of this display is to
give immediate indication as to whether the
pumping unit is operating properly or not. This
is achieved by presenting the current dy-
namometer card as well as typical surface cards
obtained previously for the particular well. The
left portion of the display contains quantitative
data describing the pumping system
configuration, last well test results, current
operational parameters and a directory of
dynamometer data files acquired in the past.The
right portion of the display comprises three
graphic windows. The upper window shows
the dynamometer card that corresponds to the
data in Figure 11. (note that if the selected data
contains several pump strokes these. will be
superimposed). The middle window allows the
operator to display any of the previously
recorded dynamometer cards. The data
displayed in the figure corresponds to what has
been identified as a NORMAL surface card for
this well. Any of the other cards in the directory
could have been displayed. The bottom window
always displays the surface dynamometer card
that has been identified as representing partially
and fully pumped-off conditions for this well.
8
CDMPUTERIZED WELL ANALYSIS SPE 21174
In of the windows is also printed data for
the flUId level, pressure, pumping
speed and stroke whIch were present at the time
that the data was recorded. Numeric values of
the standard key parameters as defined in API
RP 11 - L9 are tabulated for the current
dynamometer card and for the "type" cards as a
means of quantitative comparison of critical
values.
. The dynamometer visualization display thus
gIVes to the operator immediate indication that
the pumping unit is operating normally or that
some abnormal condition is present. When
further dynamometer analysis is required the
current data is assigned an identifier and stored
in the data base for subsequent processing.
Dynamometer Analysis
Acquiring the dynamometer data and storing
it in diskette files in text form, allow the
operator to export this information to other
dynamometer analysis packages so as to gener-
ate conventional or customized reports on pump
performance etc. Recently developed expert
systems
lO
and pattern recognition software for
dynamometer analysis also allow importing
data in time series format. These advanced
programs can generally operate in medium
p'erformance lap-top microcomputers so that
some of this analysis can be undertaken in the
field.
In particular, given the time series data of
polished rod load and displacement shown in
Figure 11, it is possible to calculate the
vs. displacement diagrams
at pomts m the sucker rod string and in
partIcular at the pump, as shown in Figure 13
reprinted from Gibbs and Neely!!. This gives
accurate description of the stresses in the rods as
well as definitive evaluation of the efficiency
and conditions at the down-hole pump.
Integration with Fluid Level Data
From the Dynamometer mode it is possible
to return to Acoustic Well Sounding mode and
perform measurement of the liquid level vir-
tually simultaneously with the acquisition of the
dyn.amometer data. This presumes that the
eqUIpment has been previously set up to per-
form acoustic measurements. Correlation be-
tween the acoustic and dynamometer data can
then be undertaken since the system automati-
cally records the time of day when all mea-
surements are made. This capability allows the
operator to monitor the dynamometer data as a
function of varying fluid level above the pump.
When this is carried out until pump-off takes
place it is possible to identify accurately the
features in the dynamometer card that correlate
with the onset of pump-off.
A special mode of dynamometer data acqui-
sition allows automatic continuous monitoring
of the load and travel data for extended periods
of time while capturing data for a given number
of pumping cycles at specified time intervals or
only when the dynamometer data deviates from
a predetermined base case or exceeds certain
values.
Since the system is capable of automatic
acoustic liquid level measurements, the operator
can specify that at any time when dynamometer
data is recorded then measurement of the liquid
level be also undertaken. This capability greatly
enhances the diagnostic potential of this system.
In addition, since liquid level data allows
calculation of bottom-hole pressure, the pump
intake pressure can easily be calculated and used
in more accurate analysis of pump dynagraphs
since knowledge of this parameter allows a
better estimate of the rod system's friction and
damping factors.
Well Performance Data Acquisition
In certain applications to well performance
analysis it may be necessary to have access to
data which is not normally recorded for the
majority of producing wells. For this purpose,
the Well Analyzer includes three general
purpose input channels, in addition to the
channels previously discussed, which greatly
enhance its versatility. These channels allow the
acquisition of data from general purpose
transducers so as to be able to generate time
histories of specific variables such as pressure,
temperature, flow, composition, current,
voltage, power, etc. with the only limitation
being that appropriate must be
available to measure the varible of interest and
that they generate appropriate electrical signals.
These applications may include monitoring
of a number of additional parameters during
dynamometer measurements, such as the tubing
pressure or temperature or the electric current
and power drawn by the prime mover. During
flowing well testing, the data from a portable
testing unit, such as gas flow rate, liquid flow
rate and water cut, could be monitored
continuously. In submersible pumping instal-
lations, it is possible to monitor the motor
current, wellhead pressure and flowing tem-
perature in order to characterize the performance
of the system. In unloading and tuning of gas
lift installations the acoustic liquid level data can
be recorded while monitoring both the casing
References
Conclusions
1- Walker, C. P.,"Determination of Fluid Level
in Oil Wells by the Pressure-wave Echo
Method," AIME Transactions,
1937,pp.32-43.
2- Walker, C. P. , Method of Detennining Fluid
Density, Fluid Pressure, and the
Production Capacity of Oil Wells, U.S.
Patent No. 2,161,733 ftled October 26,
1937.
A portable, compact and complete system
has been developed for acquisition of acoustic
well soundings, polished rod dynamometer data
and other surface measurements and for
integration of these data in a series of co-
ordinated graphic displays on a portable mi-
crocomputer. These displays allow the operator
to the current conditions and present
perfonnance of the well and to immediately
identify existing or potential problems. Access
to a data base of past well parameters and to
application programs for interpretation of
pressure buildup data, beam pump design,
dynamometer analysis, etc. further enhances the
system's diagnostic capability and pennits
operation at higher levels of efficiency and
lower costs.
SP,..E_2_11_7_4 A_.:..- L. IWIO AND J. N. Mccx)v 9
and the tubing pressures so as to have detailed 3- Mc Coy, J. N., Podio, A. L., and K. L.
infonnation about downhole valve operation. Huddleston :"Acoustic Detennination of
Producing Bottomhole Pressure" SPE
Fonnation Evaluation, Septembet 1988,
pp. 617-621.
4- Godbey, J. K. and Dimon, C. A.: "The
Automatic Liquid Level Monitor for
Pumping Wells," J. Pet. Tech., August
1977.
5- Gilbert, W. E., "An Oil Well Pump Dyna-
graph," API Drilling And Production
Practice, 1936, pp.94-115.
6- Fagg, L. W.: "Dynamometer Charts and Well
Weighing," Petroleum Transactions,
AIME, Vol 189, 1950, pp.165-174.
7- Lea, J. F. and J. F. Bowen,: "Dynamic Mea-
surements of Beam Pump Parameters"
SPE Preprint No. 18187, October 1988.
8- Svinos, J. G.: "Effect of Input Data Errors
on Diagnostic Analysis of Rod Pumps,"
Southwestern Petroleum Short Course,
Lubbock Tx.1989.
9- API RPI1L,Recommended Practice for
Design Calculations for Sucker Rod
Pumping Systems, February 1977.
10- Foley, W. L. and Svinos, J. G.:
"EXPROD: Expert Advisor Program for
Rod Pumping,: SPE Preprint No.
16920, September 1987.
11- Gibbs, S.G. and A. B. Neely, : "Computer
Diagnosis of Down-Hole Conditions in
Sucker Rod Pumping Wells," J. Pet.
llih.. January 1966, pp. 93-98.
DATA BASE
AcoustiC
Well Surveys
Well Configuration
Pumping system
Well Testing
Reservoir
History
/
WEll. PERFORMANCE
VISUALIZATION
SYSTEM
/
Dynamometer
Measurements
Other
Diagnostic
Measurements
Figure 1 - Schematic diagram of the Well Performance Visualization
System
SPE 21174
/0
I . tee....,..
IN. ".f SI'II
\ \ ~ I".,.,.ZWIIUS I
1 ...... 1 ..1 ..
I ...u ROO I'TMU, ."A.....- I
1----,--1
1 104 ,,..,111O-F'T
I ~ ~ ~ - 11,--_'"_"_'__-"
Well Number _BROWN # '0' __
Lease __ABC USA__
Figure 2 - Well Visualization Schematic
OfL:f.STIIO ]
Acquisition Data Processor and
APPLICATION
and
SOF1WARE
control control unit Analysis
software
Modemng
!
Simulation
INTERFACE
DATA ACQUISITION
AND
Ga'ffilOLEL.ECTRONICS
I
f J
I I
ACOUSTIC
EJ
GENERAL
SOONDINGS PURP<X3E
CXlNTROLLER
HARDWARE SB\f3CflS
Figure 3 - Hardware and Software Configuration
SPE 21174
WELL
ANALYZER
Nitrogen
gas
supply
ToWell
Figure 4 - Computer-Based Acoustic Liquid Level System
11
t
1
8
II
y
rOStD32.id1 81-82-1998 13:36
2 4 6Stc
f4-MultiTl'lct J'5-WtIl Data r6-IIIP
Data Display
SPE 21174
We 11: rOSTER32, Ad! 1. m to 2. 999 Seconds afte!' sho t
6,592""
Raw Signal
Peak-Peak:
11.486 !IV
-lU95 !IV
1fJ-
J'i Itmd Data
-Anow keys Move Si gnal-
Isc-SavelExit Fl-llain FHollll'S fHuing f4-Multi bace F5-Nell Data r6-l11P
Figure 6a - Detail of Acoustic Signal, 1.0 to 2.0 seconds.
Well: fOSTER32, ad! 3.M to Ull Seconds arte!' shot
1.368 llIJ
Raw Signal
Peak-Peak:
2,116 IIY
-1.348 IIY
Fi IteJ'l!d Data
-1.121 !IV
8,536 ""
Raw Signal
Peak-Peak:
1.651 IW
-Al'l'Ow keys Move Signal-
Isc-Save/Exi t Fl-llain fHollll'S fHuing F4-lkIlti tl'ace FS-Nell Pata 16-BIIP
Figure 6b - Detail of Acoustic Signal, 3.0 to 4.0 seconds.
Well: FOSIEm.ad! 7,. to 8. Seconds artel' shot

-ArJ'OW keys Move Si gnal-
Isc-SavelExit Fl-llain fHollars FJ-CaSing f4-llulti T1'iCe i'S-WeIl Data f6-IlIlP
Figure 6c - Detail of Acoustic Sianal. 7.0 to 8.0 seconds.
rOSrIR32.ad1 148.1 Joints 426U Vt SPE 21174
13
I seclsJ1t
2Sec 7,8
4Sec
nee
I
rilteJl IIi dth:l5.8 18.8 Hz
Uelocity:1B59 It/sec
Esc-Saue Exit T!-Main rHuing Buildup r4-lIulti TNCe l'5-llell Data '6-BIIP
Figure 6d - Complete Acoustic Signal after filtering and Processing
to Obtain Collar Count.
rOSTIR32 PJ'oduction Casing
r--
PHILLIP! 25 BOPD dr/dT

298 BNPD !.9psi Casing(Psig): 61.3
35 IICFID 2.5 Mins
IIILL MIA lJOGIL IPR AHALYSIS fMInulaJ' CiS Flaw
35 API Oil PBHP/SBHP:U8 (MCr/D): 28.4
1.85 \IateJl SC EHiciency:98X
CiS SC:8,82 Max PJIOducing Rate
tl. HaS

@
t,: 112 69 It
8Y. CO2 MSeJlU01Jl PJleSSllH
TelmJlatllH:
1214 5'X Liquid
78 r SUJllace test thod-
138 r BottOM GAlICE
2.875 luLing
4 Shut-In
5.588 Casing Test ate:5-H8
.... m
Datu.-
:1214
4342
Plppp
PBIIP(Psia)
: 192.8
Esc-SauelExit n-Main fHolliJ'S n-Casing Buildup F4-Multi T!'ace l'5-Well Dita..
Figure 7 - Detailed Well Analysis Visualization Displav
Casing PNSSUN Buildup-test In PJ'ogHSS-
2.8: :: 63.3
,
62.9
C
a
S
62.5 i
n
g
62.1
P
S
I
61. 7 C
1.6 -:, ,.. ,-: ,., .. ,.:-, , , ..
"
"
.
.
1.4 ':.... . .. ' , :'., :., .
. .
. .
6 1.2' . .. .. .: .. ... .. .. ........ ':" ....... :" .......
"
.
P
S 8.8 : , :. .. : ..
I
I
, 61.3
-9,4 r----r.r-r--"T"""!"-....... 68.9
I I ,8
6Tilll! Minutes
Esc-SavelExit T!-Main F2-CollaJ' FHlultill'ace l'5-Data f6-BIIP r1a-OO IlIILDIIP
Figure 7a - Casing Pressure BUildup Data, for Well in Figure 7.
SPE 21174 /i 1
iridlk
PJIoduction Casing
.---
84 BOP dP/dT
NORXDl 163 BUP 33.8 psi
Casing(Psig): ,51.6
91-93-1998 159 ItCr/D 13.1 Mins
IIILL DAtA VOGEL IPR ANALYSIS
Gas Flow
39 API Oil PBHPISBHP:8.12
(1U1D):147.9
1.85 Ilatel'SC Etriciency:96Y.
Gas SC:U9 Max Pl'oducing Rate
8'/. H2S

Li id'

8'/. H2 rt

tI. CO2 P1'eSSlll'f

'. m: Liquid
T l'itlll'e :
2644 '1
79 r SUl'tace Test thad- 'I
136 r BottoR BOP
:1
2.788 Tubing
3 SlIut-in

,I,
5.588 Casing Test te:4-8-99


;2644
Datu

n793


PIIP(Psial
: 321.4
:Sc-SavelExi t rHlain rZ-CollaP5 r3-Cising Buildup TNet F5-IItH hta..
Figure 8 - Well Analysis Display for Well With a High Annular Fluid
Column Containing 77% Gas.
C
a
s
78.1 i
n
g
P
S
I
G 64.5
11.3
84.9
.. , -:. ....... , , ..:., " ..
. .
.................... " , , .
. ' .
27.2 : : ; : ..
. '
6.8 .,
6 29.4 .,."
P
S 13.6 .
I
-
ure UI up aa or e In I)
JOlU148L PI'oclucti on Casing
.---
BIPCO 11 BOP dP/dT
G.tlIHARD 273 BWPD 8.4 psi
Casing(Psig): 44.1 .
87-92-1998 6 IICfID U Mins
NELL DATA UOCIL IPH AllALYSIS AnnuliJI Gas Flo.
38 API Oil PBIIPISBHP:8.63
(MCfID): 6.7
1.85 Watu SC Utici ency:56Y.
Cas SC:9.88 Max PI'oducing Rate
tI. H2S


8'/. HZ 3 4t
&Yo CO2 FNssW'e
W
TeMpmtlll'f:
1883
88y. Liquid
79 r SUI'ace Test thad-
I
129 r BottOM GAUCE
t
2.387 tulling 3 Smt-In i
7.989 Casing test ate:5-S-99
'I' t
t
)atWil
WL!
:1993

, 4929

PBIIP( Psi a)
: 631.1
Isc-SavelExi t Fl-Main rZ-Collm F3-casing Buildup rHalti t!'ace I'S-Ilell Data,.
II II ----:-----:-----:----...:----l 57.7
'''III ."
. . .
. . .
. . .
-6.8 : 59.9
, I I .i
6TiM Minutes
Isc-SavelExi t fl-Main rHolliJI r4-l'1ltit!'ace I'S-Data F6-BHP F19-00 B11ILD11P
Figure Sa Casing Press 8 'Id 0 t f W II' F ure 8.
Fiaure 9 - Well Analvsis Disolav for Well With a Hiah Annular Fluid
15
45.2
45.9
Cuing PreSSUN Buildup-Test Finished-
1.1 : : :
. . .
1.8 -: : : .
C
a
s
44.8 i
n
g
44.6
P
S
I
44.4 C
44,2
44,8
9,2
. .
6 8.6' .. . .. <.........:.. .. .. ":" .. .. ... .. .......
p
S 9,4 : :." .. " .. ; .
I
-9.2 )r----;I""ll'""-""'l""l!r----.r""ll""""-"T'"Il'"-.,.-J
I .9
Ali. Ninlltes
Esc-SavelIxit Fl-Main F2-CoIlU' f4-lliltiTl'iCf FBah. r6-BIIP r1&-DtD IIJILDIIP
Figure 9a - Casing Pressure Buildup Data for Well in Figure 9
262,5
325,9
",
.'
,.'
,
,,'
.'

III'
,
-++,' -+ ,
137,5
,
"
"
"
"
"
"
I '
15,99 1( 19
,1 MDH-- BMP (PSIG) US dT (MRS)
WELL: GEMJ 1 MTE: 92-19-1988
pm: 59,8 17,41 13.96 SXIN: -3.4
Figure 10 - Plot of Acoustic Bottomhole Pressure Data from
Automatic Buildup Test.
DYNAMOMETER WAVEFORM ANALYSIS
( t"1/r2 Mo Cue,orl I 0 - ".In MIInu __._ ...... 1 _
Figure 11 - Dynamometer Data Acquisition Screen
,
,
,
SPE 21174 16
DYNAMOMETER VISUALIZATION
Brown f 1 lAST TESt 24000
1!C llS.&
10 IOtD

".ck saith
"
10/3'89
4S I:F/O
_tt ""TA
"".A!:N' "" 12000
,_11\9 ""It
N 15."
-'J'rpe:CoGYeatiooal
S .. "".0
aod! 16
CUNU:.NT oyHNtOHEnll
PPP.L 214'75
...= .2.00 indl 1G'1lL ,on 0
-1Io<t: Fill
12421
24000
IKlIVtAL
cadav: !-112
Cb .. 15000
Dl'HAHOtIETER
... Depth: 1500 ft
C..laQ .. 125 pd
.- c:==:?J
Aoc:bor: 1
013.1 API on
FLOID UVEL
l.n SG WAt.r
1!1275 rt
ItECEttt D'tHAHOttETER DATA I"u .. z01:,01 ' .... IL. 1125 I r;-:"'i';':J1

FLU VEL - rF CoUJIIG nUSIIJlC 110 'IU
611411' 11:))0 ,UC
1221'
.. 15 fUtU'ED orr DYNAHOIC1'Ek CUD
'It"..
uns .,J5 uuo .. 15.'
20000

d
lit _L
"WIO LEVU - 149S It I
1.-15.515-1. I 11'1./" 'lJIGI'tD-orr
11.,;,+';"+__.._'-'_c... _--Il___.... _---..JI ' - ,-1 -.-,... I --..J
Figure 12 Dynamometer Visualization Screen.
-4 .)
.... /
-2 o )
SURFACE
I-'..CH AJloO 7,._,,,,,,
ROO T'O" AT_,
'47) FEET
P.\IMP AT ')i!) f E[ T
_----GROSS Pu""P STROott: 7, 11------1
O...AGRAPH CARDS AT SuRFACE.
ROO T10..5. ANO Pu,,"P
11,000

zo.ooo
..,
1&.000
:e
!
12,000
1000
4000
()
-4000

Disp1acc:ment. foet
Figure 13 - Dynagraph Cards Calculated from Load and Displacement
Time-series (Gibbs, 1966)