WELL TESTING

Wells are tested in a test separator for : Reservoir management, Providing production forecasts Testing pumps. In certain cases wells are tested by using a special in-line multi-phase measurement device without the need for a test separator. Compositional data from the test streams is obtained by laboratory analysis of samples.

WELL TESTING
Frequency and Duration of Well Tests The reservoir depletion rate will determine the test frequency of a well. A normal well test shall be carried out over a 24 hour period such that the night and day effects on oil viscosity etc. can be discounted. In some areas, where the number of wells is high in relation to the test facilities available, the duration of tests may have to be significantly reduced in order that the desired monthly frequency can be achieved

WELL TESTING
Test Principles The test separator operates in parallel to the first stage production separator. It is fitted with special instruments to measure the the mass flow of oil, gas and water and also the BS&W in the oil stream. The fluid from a well to be tested is routed through the test separator The test separator operating conditions are approximately the same as those in the production (or bulk) separators such that the accurate measurement of gas, oil and water leaving the test separator closely reflects the 'producing' situation

WELL TESTING
Measured flows are corrected to take into account pressure and temperature effects. Density measurements are made such that the mass flow of fluid is computed. Samples are taken from the separated streams so that, after analysis, the composition of each stream and, by computation, the composition of the well fluid can be ascertained. The tests that do not require a test separator have a multiphase measuring system installed directly in the flowline. Well fluid passes through the instrument, which is able to assess the quantity of oil and gas, provided certain physical properties of the streams are known.

WELL TESTING
Equipment Manifolds are standard PDO sectionalised design and are used to make up station inlet manifolds, the number of 'modules' installed being dependent on the number of wells (or flowlines) supplying the station. Manual Block Valves are installed at most stations for diverting flows around the manifold but some are automated such that the appropriate selection on the control panel will initiate automatic valve changeover. Test Separators are similar to bulk separators except that a 'boot' is normally provided in which water collects after separation.

WELL TESTING
Instrumentation is selected on the basis of its accuracy, coupled with reliability and ease of maintenance. Daniel boxes with changeable orifices are the normally preferred method of flow measurement from test separators. BS&W measurement on the separated oil stream is made using a capacitance probe installed in the line. CORIOLIS, NOCs and MCF (Multi Component Flowmeter) are used directly in flowlines. They are all methods of arriving at a MASS flow of fluid, taking into account density, dielectric, pressure and temperature factors.

WELL TESTING
Method The Area Coordinator will select the well to be tested according to programming requirements. Divert the flow from this well to the test header, through the test separator by-pass, and then to the production header. Check that the test separator is ready to accept well fluids, level of oil present in the vessel, etc. Initiate the well test logic on the control panel / change valves to allow flow into the test separator and out of the production header. When conditions are stable or after one hour, whichever is sooner, take integrator readings and start the test --noting the time.

WELL TESTING
Take samples as appropriate. The Production Programmers will specify these. After a full 24 hours of test (or shorter in areas where a reduced duration is necessary to enable monthly well tests) take integrator readings, note the time, and terminate the test on the panel logic or by valve changeover. Reset the manifold valves to route well fluid back to the production header and away from the test header. The Production Foreman will enter the well test report at the completion of the test into SAP. The Area Programmer will validate the test results into SAP. The well test results and samples are then forwarded to the Production Programmers and the laboratory respectively.

Control Procedure - Activity Matrix

Business Process: Symbols:
Activity Decision
ST MA

Well Testing- Procedure

oor din ato r Are aC

Return from/forward to another activity Meeting Attendee Continuation 1

ST

E Start/End

No. 1

Abbreviated Activity Description Select well to be tested.

Pro d

uct io

nO

per ato rs

10

11

Divert well to test header by-pass.

Check test separator is ready.

Initate well test logic/configure valves. Allow conditons to stabilise in test separator (apprx 1 hour). Start test: take initial integrator readings and note time.

Take samples as required.

Terminate test after 24 hours.

Take final integrator readings and note time. Reset /configure manifold valves for normal production.

10

11

Authorise well test report.

12

Forward test results to Programmers.