Wireline Formation Testers

Wireline formation
testers are used to
obtain
Pressure profiles
Formation fluid samples
Permeability indicators

This information is
crucial during
exploration and
development of oil and
gas fields

Wireline Formation Testers

Different types

Why Wireline Testing?

Proper reservoir management

requires formation pressure
measurements in a wide
range of conditions. Collecting
representative formation fluid
samples and determining
premeability anisotropy are
equally important.
Formation pressure
measurements taken within a
well can be plotted versus
true vertical depth to produce
a pressure profile. The
resulting pressure profile is
extremely valuable in
analyzing virgin and
developed reservoirs.

In developed reservoirs,
wireline testers are used to

Characterize vertical and

horizontal barriers
Assess vertical permeability
Determine hydraulic
communication between wells
Detect fluid contact
movement

In virgin reservoirs, vertical

pressure profiles are obtained
to

Determine fluid contact level

Determine formation fluid
density in situ
Characterize reservoir
heterogeneities

Why Wireline Testing?

Wireline formation testers are

also used to collect formation
fluid samples, the MDT tool
attempts to improve the
quality of samples by using
techniques for downhole fluid
analysis
Tests from wireline testers
provide mobility profiles that
help to pinpoint zones of
better productivity. The
recorded transient pressure
response at each station can
be analyzed to estimate
permeability

In homogeneous formations,
the multiprobe tester scan
estimate horizontal and
vertical mobilities
In laminated formations, this
tool enables the study of
potential permeability barriers
and their effect on vertical
fluid movement
Wireline formation testing
data are essential for
analyzing and improving
reservoir performance and
making reliable predictions,
which are vital to optimizing
reservoir development and
management

BASIC

Connected directly to the hydraulic power

module, the single-probe module contains a
probe assembly with packer and
telescoping backup pistons, and connects
the tool flowline to the reservoir.
Can be placed anywhere on the string, but
it must be directly connected to the
hydraulic power module
Extends against the borehole wall to
provide a fluid path from the reservoir to
the flowline.
The pretest is used to ensure a good
hydraulic seal, obtain accurate formation
pressure recordings and determine
permeability

Max volume pretest chamber 20 cm3

Service unit controls the sampling

pressure, pretest flow rate and volume
from the surface, allows selection of
optimal values for the various formation
characteristics that can occur during a
pressure measurement sequence.

Standard MDT tool

Designed to take several measurements

and fluid samples during one trip in the
well
The configuration, which extend the
capabilities of existing single-probe
testers, provides a basic tool to which
additional modules and therefore
capabilities can be added.

Advantages over existing tools include

flowline temperature and flowline fluid
resistivity determinations, collection of
several fluid samples per trip, standard
operations in a larger range of hole sizes,
extended pressure accuracy and dynamic
response, and surface controlled pretest
rate, volume and sampling pressure.
Usually combined with a gamma ray
device for depth control
Schlumberger

Extends against the borehole wall to provide a

fluid path from the reservoir to the flowline.
The pretest is used to ensure a good hydraulic
seal, obtain accurate formation pressure
recordings and determine permeability

Max volume pretest chamber 20 cm3

Pressure test sequence

P
High perm

Low perm

tight

Supercharging

Supercharging

In low-permeability formations, wireline formation pressure

measurements are sometimes hampered by the supercharging
phenomenon.
Caused because the permeability of the mudcake is not exactly
zero but has some small value. This permeability allows a finite
continuous flow of filtrate across the mudcake.
In a low-permeability formation, the resistance to fluid flow
because of the mudcake can be the same order of magnitude as
the resistance of the formation to accepting fluid.

Thus, a standard wireline

pressure measurement will
not be sufficient to measure
the pressure of the virgin
formation, because a residual
finite pressure difference
remains between the
formation at the mudcake
interface and the virgin
formation some distance
away.

Pressure profiles

Pressure Profiles

In thick reservoirs with relatively high permeabilities, vertical

pressure profiles are used to determine in-situ fluid densities and
fluid contact level.
This type of pressure measurements requires gauge with high
accuracy and resolution. Standard quartz gauges, although
suitable for fluid gradient determination, require long stabilization
times when subjected to sudden changes in temperature or
pressure, a common occurrence during formation tests.
Strain gauges have a better dynamic response,but do not offer the
accuracy or resolution needed for most fluid gradient
determinations.
A new gauge was needed that could combine the accuracy and
resolution of the quartz gauge with the dynamic response of the
strain gauge. These requirements were met in the CQG (Crystal
Quartz Gauge).

Free water level (FWL) from pressure

Resistivity m

SW
0

Pressure bar

Oil/water
contact

Free water
level

Resistivity measurements

New features include a flowline resistivity sensor and

temperature sensor and isolation valve.
The resistivity measurement helps to discriminate filtrate
from water-base mud and formation fluids. Also useful
when taking formation water samples in wells drilled with
oil-base mud.

OFA module

The second requirement for the

recovery of PVT-quality fluid samples
is a detection system to indicate fluid
type. The sensor in the probe module
provides a resistivity measurement
over a wide range.
Some conditions, in particular wells
drilled with OBM, may require the
OFA module.
This module, run immediately below
the probe module, uses optical
analysis techniques to identify the
fluid in the flowline

OFA module

OFA (Optical Fluid Analysis) is used for fluid analysis with two sensor systems:
one for liquid detection and analysis and the other for gas detection. The
flowline passes through two independent optical sensors. In one cell,
absorption spectroscopy is used to detect and analyze liquid. In the other
cell, a special type of optical reflection measurement detect gas.
This allows wellsite personnel to decide whether to divert the flow into a sample
chamber, or increase the sampling pressure above bubblepoint.
It can also be used to verify that the formation contains only water or only gas
and that a sample is not required. Thus, the sample chambers in the tool are
kept available for desired fluids only.
Even when OBM is used it is
possible to track the transition from
borehole mud, to filtrate, to connate
oil as long as the two oils differs in
color.

Sampling

Sample chambers available with 1, 2 and 6 gal. The

software will handle up to 12 sample units, but length
and weight limitations make only 5 or 6 units practical
per trip.
Each chamber has an electromechanically actuated
throttle (seal) valve, which is controlled from the surface
and directs sampled fluid to the selected chamber in any
order. The valve can operate in one of two modes. In seal
mode, the valve can be either fully open or fully closed.
In throttle mode, the valve operates as a variable orififce
that automatically opens and closes to maintain the
flowing pressure constant. The throttle valve is a
dynamic valve, constantly adjusted to maintain a
specified flowline sampling pressure within an error
band. The engineer specifies the operating parameters of
this valve.
In addition, the sample chamber has a drain valve for
connecting the sample drainage equipment and a
transport valve for sealing the sample in the module.

Dual packer

Provides two inflatable packer elements to isolate a

borehole interval for testing and/or sampling. The
pumpout module uses borehole fluid to inflate the
packer elements to about 1000 psi above
hydrostatic pressure. Spacing between the packer
elements varies with the borehole size, min.
distance is about 3 feet (92 cm). The entire
borehole wall is open to the formation, so the fluid
area is several 1000 x larger than with
conventional probes.
Can be used as an alternative to conventional
probes.

Extrapolating pressure gradients

In some reservoirs, the gas-water contact cannot be identified by the

pressure profile of Well 1 or Well 2. Therefore, no estimate of reservoir
volume can be made.
However, by extrapolating the water gradient of well 1 and the gas
gradients of well 2, it is possible to determine the gas-water contacts and
estimate reservoir volume. This extrapolation shows that pressure
readings taken near the wellbore reflect pressures that exist deep within
the formation.

Pressure gradients
Well I

Well
II

Depth

GWC ?

GWC

Pressure

Barrier detection

Flow barriers have prevented formation fluids from reaching equilibrium

over geologic time. Because the fluid has not reached equilibrium, a
potential difference exists on opposite sides of the barrier. This pressure
potential means that formation fluid would flow if the barrier were
removed. Variation in potential can easily be seen when carefully analyzing
gradients and provides a means of identifying flow barriers.
Gradients may not be continuous through what is thought to be a single
reservoir. In these instances, two or more similar of identical gradients can
be identified; however, they can have a potential difference because of an
existing flow barrier. Vertical flow barriers can be identified by this
potential.

Barrier detection

Exercise 1
In a gas reservoir, that consist of sand zones and shale zones, two vertical wells are
drilled (I and II). Well II is situated 500 m east of well I. Well I was drilled through
sand zones A and B, Well II was drilled through 3 sand zones K, L and M. The
thickness of these sand zones is between 20 m to 30 m with zones of shale in
between. In each of these sand zones, to pressure tests were taken (MDT). The chart
below shows the pressure in the different zones:

Well I
Dept (m)
Pressure (bar)
Sanzone A
2600
303
2620
303,5
Sandzone B
2645
302,25
2665
302,75

Well II
Depth (m)
Pressure (bar)
Sandzone K
2610
305
2630
305,5
Sandzone L
2650
305,25
2670
307,25
Sandzone M
2690
303,3
2710
303,8

Plot the pressure points on a depth vs. pressure plot and make a drawing of the
geological structure and fluid system based on these pressure data

-2580
302

303

304

305

306

307

Well
308

Well II

ANSWER
-2600

A
K

-2620

Gas

Depth (m)

2637

Gas
GWC

-2640

-2660

Water
Gas

-2680

-2700

M
Gas

-2720
Pressure (bar)
Sanzone A

Sandzone B

Sandzone K

Sandzone L

Sandzone M

Exercise 2

MDT pressure measurements can be used to estimate

barrier/communication between sandzones. In Figure 1 and Figure 2, the
answer is given with folds and faults between two wells. The points were
the pressure are measured are indicted on the figures (o). GWC is also
known.
Draw on the pressure plot to the left how you expect the pressure points
are situated in relation to each other, for the given geologic structure with
gas-zones and water-zones. GWC and barriers are given on the drawing.
Draw also the gradients (gas and water)

Well 1

Pressureplot
Depth
(meter)

Well 2

Gas

Draw the
Draw the pressure points
and

GWC
Water

GWC
Water

Pressure (bar)

Figure 1

Gas

ANSWER
Depth
(meter)

Pressureplot

Well 1

Well 2

Gas

GWC
Water

GWC
Water

Pressure (bar)

Gas

Well 1

Depth
(meter)

Well 2

Pressureplot

Barrier
Gas

GWC
GWC
Water

Gas

GWC
Water

Water
Water
Water

Pressure (bar)

Figure 2
communication

Depth
(meter)

ANSWER

Well 1

Well 2

Pressureplot

Barrier
Gas

GWC
GWC
Water

Gas

GWC
Water

Water
Water
Water

Pressure (bar)
communication

Exercise 3

MDT pressure measurements are used for barrier studies. Figure 3 shows a
gas field with 8 wells. Figure 4 shows the pressure values for each of these
wells from one sandzone A. Sandzone A has low permeability and for 3 of
the wells the sand is almost tight.
Which 3 wells show almost tight sand (supercharge)? Based on the
pressure plot, draw lines for tight faults/barriers between some of the
wells on figure 3. Estimate the GWC for each segment.

Well 6

Well 3

Well 4

Well 1

Well 8
Well 7

Well 2
Well 5

Figure 3

Pressure plot
-3700
450

460

470

480

490

500

-3800

-3900

well1

Depth (meter)

well 2
well 3

-4000

well 4
well 5

-4100

well 6
well 7
well 8

-4200

-4300

-4400

Figure 4

Pressure (bar)

ANSWER
-3700
450

460

Pressure plot

470

480

490

500

-3800

-3900

well1

Depth (meter)

well 2
well 3

-4000

well 4
well 5

-4100

well 6
well 7
well 8

-4200

-4300

-4400
Pressure (bar)

ANSWER
Well 6

Well 3

GWC=4000 m
Well 4

Well 1

Well 8
Well 7

Well 2

Well 5

Karl Audun Lehne

Education:
University of Oslo & University of London

Experience:

About the Author

UiS, Statoil, Total, IRIS, Statens

Kartverk

Address:
UiS
E-mail: Karl.A.Lehne@uis.no
Phone: 91154518