Acoustic Determination of Producing and Static Bottomhole Pressures

Unipetro Seminar 5/18/2004
Acoustic Determination of
Producing and Static
Bottomhole Pressures
Reference Papers: SPE 14254 and SPE 13810
Purpose of Performing an
Acoustic Fluid Level Surveys?
Pump Submergence Some operators shoot the
well to determine the amount of liquid above the
pump.
VERSUS
Well Performance and Potential Analysis

Other operators shoot the well to determine the
well’s producing efficiency and the maximum
production potential based on calculated bottom
hole pressures.
A. L. Podio, University of Texas 1

Bottom-hole Pressure in Oil Wells

◆ “There is nothing more important in
petroleum engineering than a definite
knowledge of the pressure at the bottom of
an oil well at any existing operating
condition, and the relation of this pressure
to the pressure within the producing
formation ……. yet there is less
information about these pressures than
about any other part of the general problem
of producing oil.”
Millikan*,
Millikan*, C. V and C. Sidwell*,
Sidwell*, Transactions of AIME, 1931, page 194.
* Amerada Petroleum Corporation
Most Used Acoustic

Liquid Level Device:
Paper Strip Chart
Amplifier Recorder

Traveling Wave
Explosion
Pulse
Generation
1. Utilizes an external gas supply to generate an acoustic pulse.

2. Volume chamber charged to a pressure in excess of the well
pressure.
3. Keeps the inside of the chamber cleaner and results in less
maintenance.

Implosion
Pulse
Generation
1. External gas supply not necessary.

2. Well’s casing pressure should be greater than 200 PSI.
3. Uses the well’s pressure to generate a pulse.
4. Lower pressure in gas gun volume chamber by release of gas .
5. Implosion forces sand, moisture and other debris into the gas
gun volume chamber.
6. Requires more maintenance including frequent replacement of
“O” rings.

Liquid Level from Acoustic Velocity
Wellbore Pressure Analysis

Acoustic Velocity/Gas Specific Gravity:
Compression
Echoes Pulse
Implosion
Pulse
in Well Bang! Shot
1. Changes in cross-sectional Collar

area cause sound waves to
reflect back to microphone
Collar
2. Initial kick from gun blast.
3. Series of small kicks Collar
indicate the tubing collars.
4. Low frequency kick from Collar
Liquid level recorded.
5. Recorded signal trace Collar
corresponds to the pulse
traveling from the gun’s
microphone to the liquid Liquid
level and then back to the
surface.

Time to Depth Relationship

1. The Depth from the gun to an
anomaly in the casing annulus is
directly proportional to the time,
RTTT, for the acoustic pulse to
travel from the gun down the
casing to the anomaly and reflect
back to the microphone.
2. Microphone housed in the gas

gun detects the blast from the
shot and reflected sound from
collars, liners, perforations, liquid
level, plus other obstructions in
the annular space.
3. Acoustic data acquired for a

predetermined numbers of
seconds, based on the formation
depth.

Acoustic Trace - RTTT
1. Liquid level automatically determined by the computer from

reflected acoustic signals digitally processed, filtered, and
displayed versus time.
2. Measures time for the acoustic pulse to travel from the surface
through the casing annulus gas to the liquid level and reflect
back to the surface (round trip travel time, RTTT).
Use Marker to Select Liquid Level

Acoustic Trace with Depth Determination

Collars count depth (C) is
noted on the acoustic signal.
The Liquid Level Depth (LL) of 4371 feet is determined by multiplying

multiplying
the RTTT (Seconds) by the collar reflection rate (JTS/sec) times the
average joint length (Feet). (8.152*17.8891*29.97=4371 feet)
Analysis Method: Count Collars
Automatic analysis will determine the depth to the liquid level

for 95% of the wells

ACOUSTIC SURVEYS ANSWER THE

FOLLOWING WELL PERFORMANCE
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the depth to the top of the liquid?
2. Does liquid exist above the pump?
3. What is the percentage of liquid in the annular fluid column?
4. Is gas flowing up the annulus? At what rate?
5. How efficiently is the well being produced?
6. Does the liquid in the casing annulus restrict production?
7. Does the casing-
casing-head pressure restrict production?
8. What is the maximum production rate available from the well?
Producing BHP - TWM Program

Bottom Hole Pressures

◆ Determine BHP from fluid level surveys taken with
acoustic fluid level instruments.
◆ Understand BHP = Surface Casing Pressure + Pressure

due to the columns of fluid in the annulus.
◆ Recognize Annulus Fluid Distribution is a Function of

Well’s Producing Conditions
Accurate BHP Measurement

◆ Requires stabilized conditions
◆ Determination of Liquid Level
◆ Measurement of casing pressure
◆ Wellbore description
◆ Oil, water and annular gas densities
◆ Measurement of casing pressure buildup rate

(at Producing and Static Conditions)

Stabilized PBHP Pt
Pc
◆ Requires a Constant
Production Rate
Gas
◆ Requires a Stabilized Fluid

Level and Casing Pressure
FL
Oil + Gas
Pump
Brine
Gradient
PBHP
Segregation of Fluids Pt
in a Stabilized Well Pc
◆ The Liquid above the pump

intake is 100% OIL regardless
of well test water-
water-oil-
oil-ratio . Gas
◆ Liquid below pump intake

contains more water than well
test water-
water-oil-
oil-ratio. FL
◆ Liquid below pump intake Oil + Gas

exhibits BRINE gradient.
Pump
Brine
Gradient
PBHP

Fluid Distribution in Annulus of Pumping Well
Gas Gradient
Gas &
Liquid
Liquid Mixture
Gradients Gradients
Liquid Level at Formation
1. Casing Head Pressure is the

Major Portion of PBHP.
2. Pressure due to Gas Column is
Generally Small
3. Pump intake and liquid level
are near perforations.

Liquid Level Above Formation with

no Free Gas Inflow from the Reservoir
1. Liquid above tubing intake is

100% oil.
2. Producing BHP =
◆ Casing Pressure +
◆ Gas Columm Pressure+
◆ Oil Gradient to Pump +
◆ Primarily Water gradient
below pump intake.
LIQUID GRADIENTS
Oil has a gradient of approximately 3 feet

of oil is equal to 1 psi.
Salty water has a gradient of approximately

2 feet of water is equal to 1 psi.

No Free Gas in Annulus Liquid

When:
Pt Oil,Water,Gas
Pt Oil,Water,Gas
Pc
Pc
◆ The Operator Closes the

Casing Valve and the
Casing Pressure does not
increase. Gas
Gas
◆ The Casing Pressure is

FL
less than the Flowline FL
Pressure. Oil
Oil
Pump
Pump
100 % Liquid below Fluid Level PBHP
Brine
Brine
Gradient
Gradient
PBHP
Gaseous Liquid Column Exists

When:
Pt
Flowline
Pc
◆ Gas is flowing from the

casing annulus.
◆ The Casing pressure builds Gas
up when the casing valve is

closed. Gaseous Liquid
Pump Column
Dip Tube
Perfs
Gas is bubbling through annular liquid Liquid + Gas
from perforations to gas/liquid interface.

Liquid Level Above Formation

with Free Gas Flow from the Reservoir
1. Gaseous Liquid Column exists

above the Perforations.
2. Producing BHP =
Casing Pressure +
Gas Column Pressure +
Oil Fraction Pressure to Pump +
Water Fraction Pressure to bottom.
Determination of Gaseous
Column Gradient
◆ Computed from mechanistic model

(not accurate in most cases)
◆ Determined experimentally on a given well.
◆ Develop experimental correlation from large

number of tests and apply to measured
pressure and flow rate.

Increase Pressure = Depress Liquid Level
Pressure increase = 230 psi
Fluid Level
2300 ft
Drop
The Pressure at any Depth in a Gaseous Liquid Column is

Independent of Surface Pressure at Stabilized Conditions
Q=constant

Liquid Fraction from Back

Pressure Test
Pt
Flowline
Pc
Back
Pressure
Valve
Given: High Gas
◆ Constant Production FL
Gaseous Liquid
◆ Annular Gas Rate Column with
10 - 15%
◆ Annular Area Liquid
◆ Fluid Properties
Pump
Determine Liquid
Percent in Gaseous
Liquid Column Perfs Low PBHP
Determine Effective Oil Fraction

Using Back Pressure Test
1. Maintain Well at Normal

Producing Conditions.
2. Obtain Liquid Level Depth
and the Casing Pressure.
3. Increase casing pressure
with back pressure regulator
and allow well to stabilized
4. Obtain NEW Liquid Level
Depth and NEW Casing
Pressure
5. Repeat Steps 3 & 4, until
Liquid Level is Near Pump.

Special Test Setup
Casing Pressure vs. Time

Liquid Level vs. Time
Gaseous liquid
column gradient
test using back
pressure valve to
set casing
pressure while
pumping rate is
kept constant.

Pressure versus Depth Traverse in the Annulus
Gradient
Gradientisis
computed
computed
from
from
measured
measured
P1 pressures
pressures
and
andlevels
levels
P2
Gaseous Column Height vs. Casing

Pressure for 150 MCF/D in 5” & 2-7/8”

Gaseous
Liquid
Column
Gradient Actual Field
Correction Collected
Data Point
Factor
Adjusted Liquid Level
Annular Gas Flow – dP/dT Measured
Close
Close Casing
Casing
Valve
Valve
dP
dt Casing
Casing Pressure
Pressure
increase
increase asas aa
function
functionof of time
time
isisaa measure
measure of of
casinghead
casinghead gas gas
flow
flow rate
rate

Time = 0 Casing Valve Closed During Test Time = 4 min.
Gas flow out= 45 MCF/D

46.2 49.4
psi psi
Gas flow into well = 45 MCF/D
PBHP = 572.8 psi
Calculation of annular gas flow rate is based on the

increase in casing pressure per unit time during the
casing pressure buildup test. Using the real gas law:
P1*V1 = Z1n1RT1 at time t1 and Gas Flow

P2*V2 = Z2n2RT2 at time t2 where in the well: Calculation
V1 = V2 = volume of annulus minus volume of liquid
T1 = T2 = average temperature
R = gas constant
P1 =initial casing pressure
P2 = pressure at end of casing buildup test
n2,n1 = number of moles of gas in annulus
Then solve for (n2-n1) which is the increase in gas
mass during the time (t2-t1) and convert to standard
cubic feet per day.

Requirements for Accuracy

◆ Test should be short (2 to 10 minutes) so that
inflow of gas and producing bottom hole
pressure remain almost constant.
◆ Measured casing pressure buildup vs. time
should be linear indicating a constant gas rate.
◆ ID of casing, OD of tubing and well depth data
are correctly entered in well database.
Annular Gas Flow - Calculated

TWM Iterates to Determine:
• Annular Gas Flow Rate
Example
data point

Producing BHP - TWM Program
Gas-Free Liquid Level

Gas-Free
Pt
Pt
Flowline
Flowline
Pc
Pc
“Remove” gas
from annular High Gas
fluid column FL
Gaseous Liquid
Column with
Gas 10 - 15%
Liquid
Gas Free
FL Pump
Gas-Free
Liquid
Perfs Low PBHP Perfs Low PBHP

Reference:
◆ “Acoustic Producing Bottom Hole
Pressure”
download from:
www.echometer.com
Static Bottom Hole Pressure,

SBHP
◆ Energy available to push the
fluids to the wellbore
◆ Generally GUESSED
◆ Need within +/-

+/- 15%
◆ Operator Should Measure

Static Fluid Level and
Casing Pressure in wells
shut-
shut-in for any reason.

Pressure Calculations
Calculation of SBHP
Pt Well Shut-in
Static BHP = Pc
◆ Casing Pressure +
◆ Gas Column Pressure + Gas
◆ Oil Column Pressure + Static FL
◆ Water Column Pressure. Oil
Brine
Note: Fluids Segregated by Gravity SBHP

After-flow WOR
After-flow
Pt Well Shut-in
◆ Cannot Accurately Predict Pc
WOR during after-

after-flow.
Assume same WOR as well
test.
Gas
◆ Best results are obtained by Static FL
closing the casing valve before Oil

shut-
shut-in to increase casing
pressure and minimize height
of liquid.
Brine
SBHP

Pump Intake near Perforations
Liquid Level @ Pump Liquid Level Above Pump

For more accurate Static Bottom Hole

Pressure: Push Liquid Level near Pump
1. Increase Casing
Pressure
2. Push the Liquid Level

near to the Pump
Intake
3. Reduce uncertainties
about the composition
of gaseous liquid
column and the liquid
fill-
fill-up.

Determination w/ High Pump
Liquid Level @ Pump Liquid Level Above Pump

Determination of Accurate SBHP

◆ Accurate calculation of Static BHP requires
knowing the producing Fluid Level, Casing
Pressure, and Casing Pressure Buildup Rate.
◆ Well should be shut-in for a time sufficient to
stabilized casing pressure and fluid level.
◆ Periodic fluid level measurements will
identify stabilized conditions.
◆ If possible reduce amount of liquid in annulus
before shutting-in the well by depressing fluid
level
SBHP from TWM program

Reference
“Acoustic Static Bottom Hole Pressure”
download from:
www.echometer.com

BHP in Gas Lift Wells

◆ Determine
pressure at
depth of
bottom
valve.
◆ Compute
BHP from
2-phase
gradient
curves.
Gas Lift Wells

◆ Reference:
“Acoustic Fluid Level Measurements in

Gas Lift Wells”
Download from www.echometer.com

SINGLE and MULTI

MULTI-- SHOT
ACOUSTIC TESTS
◆ SINGLE SHOT ACOUSTIC TESTS DETERMINE THE
WELL INFLOW PERFORMANCE AND THE NET DEPTH
FROM WHICH LIQUID IS LIFTED
◆ MULTI-
MULTI-SHOT PRESSURE TRANSIENT TESTS
DETERMINE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE
FORMATION, SKIN DAMAGE AND RESERVOIR
PRESSURE.
◆ MULTI-
MULTI-SHOT ACOUSTIC TESTS PERMIT LIQUID
LEVEL TRACKING IN WORKOVER AND DRILLING
OPERATIONS.
Bottomhole Pressure vs. Time
Computed
Computed from
from Casinghead
Casinghead
Pressure,
Pressure, Annular
Annular Fluid
Fluid Level
Level and
and
Density
Density of
of Gas
Gas and
and Fluid
Fluid Columns
Columns

Pressure Transient Analysis ~

Best Method for SBHP
Log ∆p - Log ∆t Plot

MDH Plot
Summary of Determining BHPs

◆ Static and Producing BHP can be determined
from acoustic liquid level surveys.
◆ Accurate casing pressure and casing pressure

buildup rate determines % Liquid.
◆ BHP = Surface Casing Pressure + Pressure from

the column of fluids in the annulus.
◆ Annulus Fluid Distribution a Function of Well’s

Producing Conditions

Well Analysis Worksheet
Determine:
• Annular Gas Flow Rate
• Effective Oil fraction
• Gas Free Liquid Height
• Pump Intake Pressure
• Producing BHP
Well Analysis Worksheet: Wellbore

Well Analysis Worksheet - PBHP
Gaseous
Gaseous
Liquid
Liquid
Column
Column
Gradient
Gradient

Well Analysis Worksheet: SBHP
Well Analysis Worksheet: Qmax

Acoustic BHP Software

◆ AWP 2000 program: use with data
obtained with strip chart instruments
such as Echometer Model M
◆ TWM program: digital acquisition and

processing of acoustic liquid level.
Download from www.echometer.com

Digital Well
Analyzer

Acoustic Determination of Producing and Static Bottomhole Pressures

Загружено:

Сведения о документе

Оригинальное название

Авторское право

Доступные форматы

Поделиться этим документом

Поделиться или встроить документ

Параметры публикации

Этот документ был вам полезен?

Это неприемлемый материал?

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Acoustic Determination of Producing and Static Bottomhole Pressures

Загружено:

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Unipetro Seminar 5/18/2004

Reference Papers: SPE 14254 and SPE 13810

Well Performance and Potential Analysis

A. L. Podio, University of Texas 1

Bottom-hole Pressure in Oil Wells

* Amerada Petroleum Corporation

Most Used Acoustic

A. L. Podio, University of Texas 2

1. Utilizes an external gas supply to generate an acoustic pulse.

A. L. Podio, University of Texas 3

1. External gas supply not necessary.

A. L. Podio, University of Texas 4

Liquid Level from Acoustic Velocity

Wellbore Pressure Analysis

A. L. Podio, University of Texas 5

Acoustic Velocity/Gas Specific Gravity:

in Well Bang! Shot

1. Changes in cross-sectional Collar

A. L. Podio, University of Texas 6

Time to Depth Relationship

2. Microphone housed in the gas

3. Acoustic data acquired for a

A. L. Podio, University of Texas 7

Acoustic Trace - RTTT

1. Liquid level automatically determined by the computer from

Use Marker to Select Liquid Level

A. L. Podio, University of Texas 8

Acoustic Trace with Depth Determination

The Liquid Level Depth (LL) of 4371 feet is determined by multiplying

Analysis Method: Count Collars

Automatic analysis will determine the depth to the liquid level

A. L. Podio, University of Texas 9

ACOUSTIC SURVEYS ANSWER THE

Producing BHP - TWM Program

A. L. Podio, University of Texas 10

Bottom Hole Pressures

◆ Understand BHP = Surface Casing Pressure + Pressure

◆ Recognize Annulus Fluid Distribution is a Function of

Accurate BHP Measurement

◆ Measurement of casing pressure buildup rate

A. L. Podio, University of Texas 11

◆ Requires a Stabilized Fluid

◆ The Liquid above the pump

◆ Liquid below pump intake

◆ Liquid below pump intake Oil + Gas

A. L. Podio, University of Texas 12

Fluid Distribution in Annulus of Pumping Well

Liquid Level at Formation

1. Casing Head Pressure is the

A. L. Podio, University of Texas 13

Liquid Level Above Formation with

1. Liquid above tubing intake is

Oil has a gradient of approximately 3 feet

Salty water has a gradient of approximately

A. L. Podio, University of Texas 14

No Free Gas in Annulus Liquid

◆ The Operator Closes the

◆ The Casing Pressure is

Gaseous Liquid Column Exists

◆ Gas is flowing from the

up when the casing valve is

from perforations to gas/liquid interface.

A. L. Podio, University of Texas 15