SPE 62919

Advanced Permeability and Anisotropy Measurements While Testing and Sampling in

eal!time "sing a #ual Probe $ormation Tester
Mar% A& Proett' SPE' Wilson (& (hin' SPE' and )ata%rishna Mandal' SPE' *alliburton Energy Services
(opyright 2+++' Society o, Petroleum Engineers -nc&
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)o/ 966966' ichardson' T: ;<+96!6966' "&S&A&' ,a/ +1!9;2!9<2!916<&
Abstract
Three new pressure-transient testing methods are employed to
determine horizontal and vertical permeability using a dual
probe formation tester. Real-time interpretation during
acquisition of pressure data, is the focus of all three new
pressure-testing techniques. In the first, a new spherical flow
model with anisotropy, storage, and skin is developed from
first principles for dual probe analysis. istorically, pressure
transient solutions are presented as !aplace transforms and
appro"imated in the time domain using numerical techniques.
Typically, early, intermediate and late time periods are
identified using derivative plots# but very often, the selection
of appropriate data results in confusion. ere, the !aplace
transform is inverted to yield a single, e"act, closed form,
analytical, time domain solution valid for all times, making
real-time parameter matching possible with high accuracy.
In the above method, it is often possible to encounter
$phase wrapping% for e"cessively tight formations, leaving an
indeterminate permeability. To circumvent this problem, in the
third method, a short, abrupt $pulse% having a well-defined
$center frequency% is produced at the piston face, and its travel
time is measured until arrival at the receiver probes. The
harmonic, closed form e"pression is then used to translate this
travel time to permeability. This new method is analogous to
sonic wave models# although, of course, $waveforms% are
often smeared due to the diffusive nature of the problem.
&imulation results using a detailed finite element, dual
probe model are compared against the above analytical
methods to assess the effects of near wellbore parameters such
as mudcake effectiveness, probe, and packer size. 'ield-test
results are shown to demonstrate the successful
implementation of these new testing methods. The three
methods described above provide a practical level of
redundancy in permeability prediction. (lso, monitoring
permeability and anisotropy changes while sampling are
shown to be beneficial in identifying fluid type changes.
Introduction
)ireline formation testing *)'T+ tools were introduced in the
mid-,-./0s primarily as sampling tools# but the ability to
measure permeability was also recognized very early. In fact, a
,-.1 patent filed by enri-2eorges 3oll was for a wireline
formation tester using multiple probes to measure permeability
,
The second technique uses an oscillatory displacement
and anisotropy. In ,-44, 5oran and 'inklea published one of
source at the piston face, and the phase delay of the pressure
pulse between the probes is used to determine permeability
the first articles introducing pressure transient models used for
single probe )'T interpretation that also considered
6
and anisotropic inde". This technique is particularly useful
anisotropy. The ne"t advance in transient analytical models
when the second monitoring probe signal is weak *as in high
permeability zones+ or where there is large spacing between
the probes. 7ulse timing can usually be detected more
accurately than its magnitude, thus e"tending the range of
considered wellbore or flow-line storage, which can
significantly slow the pressure transient in low permeability
formations. ( !aplace space solution for spherical flow that
included flow-line storage was published by 8righam, et al.,
9
permeability and anisotropic measurements. This
,-:/. In ,-:., ;oseph and <ederitz published a !aplace
1
methodology, which is based on a derived relationship
between wave phase and permeability, was developed by
mathematical analogy with resistivity determination methods
used in induction logging.
space spherical solution that considered both storage and skin.
&kin is a measure of wellbore damage that can have a
significant influence on )'T permeability measurements.
)ith the introduction of multiple probe formation testers in
the early ,--/0s, several new models were introduced
to
2 M& A& P2ETT' W& (& (*-= A=# )& MA=#A8& SPE 62919
determine formation permeability and anisotropy bringing the
pursuit of using )'Ts for formation evaluation full circle.
.
Independent models e"ist for multiple probes, flow-line
storage, and skin damage# but a single comprehensive model
that considers all of these factors would simplify
interpretation. This paper builds on previous work to develop a
comprehensive model. 5ost of the previous models were
developed as !aplace space solutions, which require numerical
inversion. This requirement makes these solutions awkward to
use and complicates regression analysis. In this paper, a closed
form, analytic solution in the time domain is developed. This
new model is compared with numerical simulations that mimic
the idealized analytical model for verification. (lso,
observations are made concerning numerical simulations that
closely match the geometry of a dual probe formation tester.
( new harmonic testing method is developed from first
principles that can be used to determine permeability from a
single probed tool. The solution also enables dual probed tools
to determine anisotropy much like the traditional transient
methods. )hile most formation testers do not have the
capability of generating sinusoidal waveforms, a pulse test
method demonstrates how the time delay between the pulses
can be used to estimate permeability and anisotropy.
These new testing and interpretation techniques can take
full advantage of new formation tester capabilities recently
deployed. This new tool design is introduced first with a short
description of its functions and capabilities. The dual probe
simulations illustrate how its design parameters were derived
to take full advantage of the newly introduced testing
techniques. (nd, finally, log e"amples demonstrate the
applications of the new testing tool.
Reservoir Description Tool
The reservoir description tool *R3T
=
+ is actually a testing
system composed of seven tool sections that can be deployed
in a number of configurations to fit a testing or sampling
requirement. Fig. 1 illustrates the tool sections and their
general specifications and Fig. 2 shows how the tool sections
can be configured for different applications. The power
telemetry section *7T&+ conditions power for the R3T tool
sections. >ach section has its own process-control system and
can function independently, enabling the R3T to be combined
with other logging systems such as 5agnetic Resonant Image
!ogging *5RI!
=
+ or igh-Resolution (rray Induction
*R(I
=
+ logging systems. The other R3T tool sections have a
common intra-tool flow line to transport fluids to any R3T
tool section.
The hydraulic power section *7&+ converts electrical
power to hydraulic power for the dual probe section *37&+. ?p
to two 37&s can be powered by the 7& if needed. 5a@or
components of the 37& include two closely spaced probes
*A.6.-in. spacing+, setting rams, and a ,//-cm
9
-pretest piston
pump. >ach probe has a high-resolution temperature
compensated strain-gauge pressure transducer that can be
= 7roperty of alliburton Bompany
isolated with a shut-in valve to monitor the probe pressures
independently. The pretest piston pump also has a high-
resolution, strain-gauge, pressure transducer that can be
isolated from the intra-tool flow line and probes. (
resistanceCcapacitance cell is located near the probes to
monitor fluid properties immediately after entering either
probe.
The quartz gauge section *D2&+ is normally positioned
directly below the 37& so that it has direct access to the 37&
isolated flow line. The D2& houses the alliburton 5emory
Recorder *5R
=
+ quartz gauge carrier used e"tensively in
well test applications. This quartz gauge was the first to have
the pressure resonator, temperature compensation, and
reference crystals packaged as a single unit with each ad@acent
crystal in direct contact. The complete assembly *pressure
crystal, temperature sensor, and reference crystal+ is very
small# about, 6.6.-in. *../4 cm+ long and /.A.-in. *,.4- cm+
diameter. The gauge carrier has a small, ,.6A-in. *9.:/-cm+
outside diameter *E3+ pressure housing that directly contacts
the borehole fluids. Thermal stabilization time is minimized
because of the carrier0s small thermal mass. Though the
gauges are temperature compensated, it is still desirable to
reach thermal stabilization as quickly as possible to ma"imize
resolution and accuracy.
5ore than one D2& can be run for redundancy or for
additional fluid measurement applications. The 5R quartz
gauge is available in ,A,///-psi and 6/,///-psi, 9./
E
'
versions and is calibrated from atmospheric pressure *,1.A psi+
to its ma"imum rating.
The flow-control pump-out section *'7&+ contains the
same type of electro-hydraulic motor as the 7&# but it is
housed in a section with the double acting piston pump. Two
high-resolution, strain-gauge pressure transducers measure the
inlet and outlet pump pressures. The '7& can pump over
,./ galCmin at .// psi with a ma"imum 1,///-psi pressure
differential. This system has more than a ./F greater pumping
capacity than earlier systems over its entire operating range
*/.49 galCmin is typical+. The double-acting piston can be
easily changed and replaced with a unit that has twice the
hydraulic ratio with an :,///-psi potential and /.. galCmin
ma"imum flow rate. This higher capacity enables sampling in
highly overbalanced conditions *G 1,/// psi+ typically
encountered in depleted zones. 'low line fluids can be pumped
either up or down *up-down mode+ with all of the flow line
fluid being directed through the pump.
8oth the multi-chamber section *5B&+ and the chamber
valve section *BH&+ contain e"pulsion ports. The e"pulsion
ports are positioned so the sampled fluid must pass the
chamber valves before e"iting into the wellbore. This passage
eliminates stagnant flowline fluids so that they do not
contaminate new samples. The chamber valves are motor
driven and can be operated while the '7& is pumping. The
5B& has three ,,///-cm
9
chambers in each section and
multiple 5B& sections can be configured in the R3T string.
The ,,///-cm
9
chambers can be detached immediately after
they pass the rotary table. The BH& is used in con@unction with
two standard ,- to .- gallon sample chambers currently in
service for e"isting testers. The Iero &hock
=
sampling mode is
standard for all chambers, but conventional sampling modes
can also be used *atmospheric and fluid cushioned+.
Anisotropic Spherical Flow with Storage and Skin
In the conventional well test literature, the use of skin
originated from the heat transfer $contact resistance% concept
used by Barslaw and ;aeger
4
and was introduced to well
testing by Ramey
A
using models similar to
P P Sr
P
................................................................. *,+ s s
r
where r
s
is the source radius and S is a dimensionless skin
coefficient. &imply stated, the wellbore pressure *referred to in
this paper as the source pressure P
s
+ is reduced or increased
from the reservoir pressure P near the surface of the wellbore
sandface by a constant Sr
s
times the sandface flowrate P/ r.
This is formally stated in >q. , and has become the standard
skin definition used in the development of well test analysis
techniques.
:
In Fig. 3, a thin skin layer of thickness is shown to the
left of the sand formation. The flow velocity through this layer,
the skin effect under consideration arises from mudcake or
invasion damage, and also, that the permeability of the skin is
much less than that of the formation. )hen these assumptions
apply, formation properties affect skin or cake growth only
minutely# that is, the permeability of the formation, despite its
anisotropic character, can be neglected in determining
mudcake growth or in characterizing skin.
Thus, the cake does not $see% the formation, even when k
z
and k
r
are very different. It is therefore appropriate to assume a
skin permeability k
s
that is isotropic in nature, even when the
underlying formation is anisotropic. )e consistently assume a
skin thickness that is uniform already# again, since rock
properties are unimportant to leading order, there is no reason
for not to be anything but constant around the ellipsoidal
skin-to-formation interface shown in Fig. 4.
)e now generalize the approach used in deriving
$P
s
=P-Sr
s
p/ r.% )ithin our layer of thin skin, the total
volume flow rate through the ellipsoidal surface interface can
be represented as the product of the normal 3arcy velocity
$ (k
s
/ ) {(P-P
s
)/ J % and the total surface area $ .%
This volume flow rate must be equal to the total integral of
normal
velocity $q n% over dS taken in the formation, where dS
represents an incremental surface area of .
per 3arcy0s law, is simply (k
s
/ )(P - P
s
)/ , where k
s
is the
permeability of the skin layer# this must be equal to the fluid
velocity (k
f
/ ) P/ r obtained in the ad@acent formation.
k
s
p p
s
q n dS ............................................. * 1+
,/
>quating the two e"pressions shows that
The integral in >q. 1 was computed earlier. )e found
P
s
P
k


f P
............................................................. *6+
that the right side of >q. 1 is the volume flow rate, or Q ,
taken through the ellipsoidal surface
k
s
r
Q *t+ q n dS
1
k
z
k
r
r
s
p ......................... *.+
ence, we may write >q. , where S is identically
k
f
S .......................................................................... *9+
r
s
k
s
where
9
6
k
f r
s
The foregoing derivation is useful for two reasons. 'irst, it
provides a direct relationship connecting & to skin thickness
k
f
k
r
k
z
....................................................................... *4+
and damaged zone permeability k
s
. &econd, it states that
P
s
=P-Sr
s
( P/ r) is much, much more than an empirical
phenomenological model describing skin effects, with an
assumed dependence on spatial derivative because it actually
r k
f
x
6
k
r
6
y
6
k
r
6
z
6
.................................................. *A+
k
z
6
appears as the consequence of mass conservation. The
underlying principle can, in effect, be e"tended to handle more
complicated problems.
)e will consider the general problem for anisotropic
r
s
that is,
k
x
s
k
r
y
s
k
r
z
s
k
z
................................................ *:+
spherical flow with flowline storage and formation skin
effects. )e will describe how e"act, closed form, analytical
solutions can be obtained, building on the mathematical
k


s
p p
s
1 r
6
k
f
p
...................................... *-+
r
s
foundation developed earlier. In order to develop the model,
we will first e"tend the skin model described to include
Thus, we obtain
1
6
multidimensional anisotropic flows.
Skin Model in Anisotropic Media. 8efore we proceed, let
us
state
the
underlyi
ng
physical
ass
um
ptio
ns. )e assume that
6
s
f
p
s
p r
s
k
f
k
s
p
r
r
s
............................................ *,/+
which generalizes the p
w
= p ( k
r
/k
s
) p/ r obtained for linear
into a spherically symmetric form.
,/
If the same scalings are
isotropic flows. Kow, recall that in earlier work, near field
boundary conditions were applied on the surface of the
ellipsoidal source defined in >q. :.
,/
Blosed form e"pressions
for the surface area used in >q. ,/ are available in the
mathematics reference literature and depend on the relative
applied to >q. ,A, we straightforwardly obtain

6
p 6 p p
d

d
=
d
................................................ *,:+
r
6
r
d
r
d t
d
d
values of vertical and horizontal permeabilities.
If, as in the usual case, the permeabilities satisfy k
r
! k
z
, so
p r "t = # ........................................................... *,-+
that the ellipsoid represents an o$late spheroid, it can be
shown that
p(r"#)= # ...................................................................... *6/+
1 r
6
....................................................................... *,,+
p
d
p
d
6
p
d
s
where
-
c
d
r
d
t
d
S
d
cd
d
= % *t
d
+
............................... *6,+
r
d
,
,
ln
, ,
.......................... *,6+
The desired simplification is obtained by introducing the
following dimensionless variables
9
6
1 , , ,
r
k
f
r
r
s
r
s
x
6
y
6
k
r
k
r
z
.................................... *66+
k
z
k
z
.............................................................................. *,9+
k
r
En the other hand, if the permeabilities satisfy k
z
! k
r
, so
that the ellipsoid represents a prolate spheroid, it can be shown
that
t
t

k
f
................................................................
*69+ d
cr
6
, ,
arcsin* , , C +
.............................. *,1+
p
1 r
s
k
f
Q
o
* p*r, t
+
P
o
+ ..................................... *61+
9
6
6 , , C
c
, &'
.............................................................. *6.+
In the limit k
r
k
z
, the dimensionless quantities ((- ) and
((-(/ ) approach zero, use of !0ospital0s Rule shows that the
areas in >qs. ,6 and ,1 reduce to , making >q. ,, equal to the
)
1
r
s
c
S
surface area of a sphere * r
s
anticipated for isotropic flows. S
d
......................................................................... *64+
General boundary value problem formulation. If we now
return to earlier work and review the basic formulation, it is
clear that only one boundary condition change is required to
model skin.
,,
If we rewrite the boundary condition in the form
The above formulation for anisotropic flow with storage
and skin is now identical to the formulation for isotropic flow
with storage and skin considered earlier.
,,
The solution to the
boundary value problem for >qs. (-,: through (-6: and is
1 r
6
k
f p
r
s
&'
p
t
Q
/
% *t+ ................................ *,.+ presented as a closed form in (ppendi" ( *see >qs. (-,,
through (-,.+.
it is clear that pC t must be replaced by p
s
C t, in order to
differentiate between the pressure inside the sandface and that
in the well. 3oing so, we obtained the e"tended law
Dual Probe Anisotropy Solution. Bonsider a dual probe
formation tester with a source probe and a vertical probe. The
source-probe transient pressure can be determined using
>qs. 66, 61 and (-,.L
1 r
6
k


f p
r
&'
p
s
r
Q
/
% *t + ..............................
*,4+
P r ,
t
*, S
d
+ Q
o s
p
ds
c
d
, S
d
, t
d
........ *6A+
s
Bombining >quations 9, ,/, ,, and ,4, we obtain
p p
f
1 r
p
*, S
d
+
1 r
6
k
f
p
r
s
&'
p t
S 6
p r
s t r
Q
/
% *t+
s
9
s
s
s
t
d
6
d
d
k
The geometric
shape factor
s
is
introd
uced
to
make
corre
ctions to the source radius r
s
when compared to detailed finite
element analysis shown in the ne"t section. The physical
.................................................................................. *,A+
In previous work dimensionless variables were used to
transform the anisotropic Bartesian boundary value equations
source is actually a disk area on the side of a cylindrical
borehole. 'inite element analysis, shown in the ne"t section,
demonstrates that even with these geometric changes in the
source, the flow regime quickly transforms the spherical or
elliptical shape and can be accurately described using >q. 6A.
The vertical probe is located along the z a"is where x=#,
y=# and the dimensionless r
d
can determined using >qs. 4
and 66L
,
Harmonic Pressure and Pulse Phase Delay
&inusoidal displacements can be generated using the 37&
or '7& pistons at low frequencies *i.e., /.,-,/ z+. This
movement induces 3arcy flow and creates pressure pulses that
r
dz
r z
r
s
r
s
k
f
k
z
z k
r
r
s
k
z
9
........................................ *6:+
propagate into the formation. Bonsidering the diffusive
pressure wave resulting from 3arcy flow, there is a time delay
t
s
between the source signal *piston displacement+ and the
The vertical probe pressure transient is determined by
combining >qs. 61, 6: and (-,,L
pressure pulse generated at a source radius r
s
. (s this pressure
wave e"pands from the source into the formation, a second
time delay can be measured in the formation at a distance r
P z, t
Q
o z , , ,
......................... *6-+
z
1 z k
r
dz
p
d
r
dz
c
d
S
d
t
d
from the source. The vertical probe can be used to make this
measurement.
8y taking the ratio of >qs. 6- and 6A, the anisotropy can be
determinedL
9
The basic relationships for the amplitude and time delays
have been developed in previous publications for isotropic
spherical flow.
,/, ,9
In this paper, (ppendi" 8 develops the
k
z
*, S
d
+ P
z s
z
p
ds
* c
d
, S
d
, t
d
+
9
basic 3arcy flow equations for harmonic pulse testin+
k
r
P
s
z
r
s
*, S
d
+ r
d
p
dz
*r
d
,c
d
, S
d
,t
d
+
considering anisotropic flow with storage from first principles
*see >qs. 8-,- through 8-64+.
.................................................................................. *9/+
In >qs. 6A, 6- and 9/, the left-hand brackets contain the
steady-state response *i.e., t + and the right hand brackets
contain the transient response. ,t is si+nificant to note that the
This time delay between the source pulse and receiver
pulse can be used to determine vertical permeability using >q.
8-61 in the (ppendi" 8.
6
cf
r
s
steady-state horizontal permea$ility measured from the
-ertical pro$e is not affected $y skin while the spherical"
-ertical permea$ility and anisotropy are.
Numerical Simulation Verifications. ( detailed finite
element model was developed that closely resembles the
k z ...................................................... *9,+
6
s
z
(dditionally, the source pulse is delayed in time from the
displacement of the pump piston. This time delay t
s
can be
used to determine the spherical permeability using >q. 8-6,.
analytical elliptical model shown in 'ig. 1. The results of these
r
6
c f
6
6 6& tan* 6 t +
s
1
,
,
s
simulations are shown in Fig. 5 along with the analytical
solution. The top set of curves *red and blue+ are for the source
k
f 6
s
tan* 6 t
s
+
9
tan* 6
t + ,
6
,
p
d
*i.e., r
d
M,+ transients. The red curves are for an isotropic
formation with a skin of / and -. Kotice that the steady-state p
d
for a skin of / is ,./ while a skin of - increases the steady-state
p
d
to ,/. These red curves represent previously published
solutions and the new solutions with anisotropy varying from
/., to /.//, are shown with the blue curves. The anisotropy
curves tend to approach the isotropic curve as the anisotropy
increases *i.e., smaller k
z
/k
r
+. In fact, the skin effects are
reduced with smaller values of anisotropy.
The curves shown near the bottom of 'ig. . *brown and
green curves+ are for a second location in the model where
r
d
M,/ that is similar to the distance between probes in a dual
probe formation tester. (gain, the curves with a skin of / and
- border the curves with anisotropy. (lso, increased
anisotropy *i.e., smaller k
z
/k
r
+ reduces the skin effect.
Borresponding derivative curves are shown in Fig. 6 for
the simulations and analytic solution. The derivative curves
show similar characteristics where anisotropy tends to reduce
the skin effect. (nother significant observation from 'igs. .
and 4 is the delay in time of the source pressure curves from
the monitoring curves. This observation suggests that the time
delay between the source and sink probes can be used for
interpretation. This technique is developed in the ne"t section.
t
1
r
s
r
z
1
s
.............................................................................. *96+
?sing the pulse delay time can be more accurate than using
the amplitude ratio measurement because periodic time
changes can be determined even when the signal is noisy. The
signal-to-noise ratio increases with a reduced vertical-probe
pressure differential. Therefore, it is possible to e"tend the
range of permeability estimates with this method by employing
standard signal-processing techniques.
Dualprobe! Finite"lement Simulations
( Kear-)ellbore, 'inite->lement &imulator *K>)&
=
+ for a
dual-probe version of K>)& was recently introduced. This
new version of K>)& uses a spherical grid to map the critical
areas, with nodal points spanning the boundary of the probe
and packer element.
,/
'or e"ample, both probes are mapped
with si" e"ternal nodal points per quadrant. The full mesh can
e"tend up to ,,/// wellbore diameters or ,/
4
times the size of
the smallest node spacing.
Dual - Probe, Anisotropy, Pressure - est Simulations.
7ressure-test simulations have been performed over a wide
range of operating conditions to verify >qs. 6A through 9/. In
particular, the sensitivity the skin has on the vertical probe
measurement of horizontal permeability was studied. (s
e"pected, when the skin layer was relatively small *i.e.,
=(cm+ the model predicts the simulated behavior quite
closely. )hen the skin layer is increased to one wellbore
diameter *i.e., =(#cm) the results still closely match the
analytic model over a broad range. The greatest divergence
occurs for the isotropic case while increased anisotropy *i.e.,
smaller k
z
/ k
r
+ closely matches the model even for this
relatively thick skin case. 'ortunately, filter cake damage
depends primarily on the filtrate solids invasion depth. Recent
e"perimental studies show that typical solid invasion depths
are less than , inch.
,1
!lo"-control, Pump-out Simulation. Fig. 7 shows a
simulated pump-out sequence that has the same formation
properties as the previous pressure-test simulation. This pretest
establishes hydraulic communication with both probes, and
spherical permeability is determined using the steady-state
components of >q. 6A without skin. The pressure contours
near the probe are shown on the left side of Fig. 8. Ene probe
is used in the pumping sequence so that horizontal and
spherical permeability and anisotropy can be monitored
throughout the pumping sequence using >qs. 6- and 9/ above.
The pressure differential is determined from the difference
between formation pressure measured at the start of the
sequence and the pumping pressure. Real-time pressures and
flow rates are measured every /.6. seconds and used to update
the permeability calculations.
#armonic Pressure Pulse P$ase Delay Analysis.
( convenient method of employing the harmonic analysis
testing technique in the R3T is to analyze the pressure pulses
generated while pumping a sample. (t the end of each pump
stroke, the pump reverses direction, which results in pressure
pulses and spikes in the permeability curves. The pulses are
sharp because of the fast turnaround times of the pump piston.
( single pump pulse is shown in a plot insert on 'ig. A
with the pressure-pulse magnitudes normalized on two scales.
'ig. A shows that a ,,:A9-psi pumping differential is returned
within
9,, psi of formation pressure with each pump reversal
creating a ,,.46-psi pressure pulse. The pressure of the second
probe has a 6: psi pressure differential that pulses ,:-psi
when the pump reverses. The pump stroke reversals cause
interruptions in the flow rate, creating the pressure pulse.
(s shown in 'ig. A, the pump rate is slowed to a stop and
increased again during a /.. second interval.
)hile the frequency of the pump pulse is , z, the source
probe and vertical probe pulse frequencies tend to smear to a
lower frequency of about /.A z. The time delay of t
s
=/.A6
seconds shown in 'ig. A corresponds to a spherical
permeability of 14 md using >q. 8-6, in (ppendi" 8.
Kote that the vertical probe pressure pulse is delayed in
time from the sink-probe pressure pulse *i.e., t
-
M/.,, sec+.
?sing >q. 8-61, this time delay corresponds to a permeability
of ,/ md at /.A z, which matches the vertical permeability of
the simulation.
FieldTest #og "$amples
Bommercial field-testing of the R3T started in south Te"as
and the 2ulf of 5e"ico coastal regions. The following
e"amples were taken from the initial logging runs.
!lo"-%ontrol Pump-&ut. The pump-out e"ample shown
in Fig. 9 was performed by flowing through two probes to
reduce the sandface flow rate. Two pretests were performed at
6 cm
9
Cs in order to establish hydraulic communication. (
moderate formation mobility of :/-,// md is shown on the
real-time mobility log during the pretest buildups.
( bubble-point test procedure was conducted. ere, a
pretest chamber isolates the flow line fluid while a /., cm
9
Cs
pretest piston rate was maintained. 'rom the 7HT plot slope
change, a 6..-psi bubble-point was measured. The pumpout
flow rate was started at ,/ cm
9
Cs. The rate was increased to ,.
and 6/ cm
9
Cs, and associated flow rates were varied from ,/ to
6/ cm
9
Cs */.96 galCmin+ for ,/ minutes. Throughout the
pumping sequence, there was a gradual increase in mobility
from ,6/ to ,1/ mdCcp.
Results showed that the fluid resistivity changed from /../
ohm-m to /.6. ohm-m. This reduction indicated a change in
fluid type.
8oth the mobility and resistivity eventually stabilized
indicating that skin area around the wellbore had cleaned up. (
fluid sample was then taken by pumping into a ,,///-cm
9
sample chamber. )hen the sample chamber was filled,
pressure on the sample was increased to .// psi over
hydrostatic before the chamber valve was closed. Then, the
sample was recovered under pressure to the surface, where the
near-in situ characteristics of the formation fluid could be fully
evaluated
Dual-Probe Anisotropy "it$ Skin. Two pressure pulses
are shown from a pressure test sequence in Fig. 10. The first
pulse was created with two probes, and the second was
performed through one probe. En the first pressure test, the
flow rate was maintained at 6 cm
9
Cs, and the pressure tended to
increase as the drawdown progressed. The increase suggests
that the formation was cleaning up during the test. En the
second pressure test, the flow rate was increased to 1 cm
9
Cs#
and the second probe was used to determine horizontal
permeability and anisotropy using >qs. 6- and 9/ assuming a
skin of &M/. (s shown in the permeability plots in 'ig. ,/, the
first and second pressure tests yield the same spherical
permeability using >q. 6A *k
f
=99 md+. The horizontal
permeability and anisotropy show variability from slight
changes in the vertical probe0s buildup pressure but stabilize at
the end of the drawdown *k
r
=.A md, M /.6+. Kotice that the
vertical probe e"perienced a --psi pressure drop compared to a
9,:-psi drop at the sink probe.
( plot insert in 'ig. ,/ shows a 'asTest derivative plot
curve fit that determined a skin of /.A. ?sing this skin value in
>qs. 6- and 9/, the spherical permeability and anisotropy are
corrected to k
f
=.4 md and M /.-. respectively.
%onclusions
( new, multi-probe wireline formation testing system has
been introduced. This system provides improved pressure
testing and sampling capability through its use of a digital
control feedback system.
( new spherical, anisotropic flow model with storage and
skin has been developed from first principles for the analysis
of data obtained from a multi-probe formation tester.
Real-time, spherical and horizontal permeability and
anisotropy analysis and monitoring are possible with this
mathematical model.
This new model shows that the horizontal permeability is
determined primarily from the vertical probe steady-state
pressure drop *i.e., t + during a drawdown, and this result is
independent of skin.
Bonversely, skin reduces the sandface pressure at the sink
probe and is needed to correct the spherical permeability and
anisotropy estimates. This reduction in sandface pressure also
limits the pressure differential at the vertical probe,
particularly with increased anisotropy *i.e., k
z
/ k
r
N ,./+ or
increased probe spacing.
( new pressure-pulse test analysis technique has also been
introduced. It has the potential to e"tend the range of real-time
r = spherical coordinate(cm)
r
d
= dimensionless radius
r
s
= spherical source radius (cm)
r
s(
= source ( pro$e radius (cm)
r
s)
= source ) pro$e radius (cm)
S = stora+e constant
S
d
= dimensionless stora+e
constant t = time (sec)
t
d
= dimensionless time
& = stora+e -olume (cm
.
)
t
7hase
= pulse time delay (sec)
7hase
= phase an+le (radians)
x"y"z = 'artesian coordinates (cm)
= formation fluid -iscosity (cp)
= formation porosity
= anisotropy (k
z
/k
r
)
s
= source pro$e +eometric shape factor
z
= -ertical pro$e +eometric shape factor
Re&erences
,. 3oll, enri-2eorgesL $5ethods and (pparatus for 3etermining
ydraulic Bharacteristics of 'ormations Traversed by a
8orehole,% ?.&. 7atent Ko. 6,A1A,1/, *6- 5ay ,-.4+.
6. 5oran, ;. ., and 'inklea, >. >.L $Theoretical (nalysis of
7ressure 7henomena (ssociated with the )ireline 'ormation
th
formation evaluation options. 8y using time delays between
Tester,% presented at the 94 (nnual 'all 5eeting of &7>, Ect,
pressure pulses, anisotropy, horizontal permeability and
vertical permeability can be determined.
Real-world !og e"amples have been analyzed to
demonstrate how technical innovations introduced with a new
whirling formation testing system are used with the
analyticalCinterpretive methods described in the paper. The
results show that an operator can evaluate horizontal and
vertical permeabilities, permeability anisotropy, skin cleanup,
and properties of the reservoir hydrocarbons.
'omenclature
M incremental surface area of an ellipse (cm
.
)
c = total compressi$ility ((/psi)
' = stora+e compressi$ility ((/psi)
f = pulse fre/uency (0z)
k
s
= skin permea$ility (md)
k
f
= formation spherical permea$ility (md)
k
z
= -ertical permea$ility (md)
k
r
= horizontal permea$ility (md)
z = -ertical pro$e spacin+ len+th (cm)
p = pressure (psi)
p
d
= dimensionless pressure
P(t) = measured pressure (psi)
P
i
= initial formation pressure (psi)
P
p
= pro$e pressure differential
(psi)
P
z
= -ertical pro$e pressure differential
(psi) Q(t) = -olume flow rate (cm
.
/s)
Q
o
= drawdown flow rate (cm
.
/s)
:-,,, ,-46, ;ournal of 7etroleum Technology, (ugust, *,-46+.
9. 8righam, ). >., 7eden, ;. 5., Kg, <. '., and E0Keill, K.L $The
(nalysis of &pherical 'low with )ellbore &torage,% paper &7>
-6-1, presented at the ..
th
&7> (nnual Technical Bonference
and >"hibition, 3allas, Te"as, 6,-61, &ept. *,-:/+.
1. ;oseph, ;. (., and <oederitz, !. '.L $?nsteady-&tate &pherical
'low )ith &torage and &kin,% paper &7> ,6-./, presented at the
.-
th
(nnual Technical Bonference and >"hibition , ouston,
Te"as, &ept. ,-:1.
.. 2oode, 7. (., and Thambaynayagam, R. <. 5.L $(nalytic
5odels for a 5ultiple 7robe 'ormation Tester,% paper &7>
6/A9A, presented at the 4.
th
(nnual Technical Bonference
and
>"hibition , Kew Erleans, !ousisiana, 69-64 &ept. *,--/+.
4. Barslaw, . &. and ;aeger, ;. B., 'onduction of 0eat in Solids,
E"ford ?niversity 7ress, ,-.-
A. Ramey, .;., ;r, and (garwal, R.2.L $(nnulus ?nloading Rates
Influenced by )ellbore &torage and &kin >ffect,% &7>
>ngineers ;ournal, Ect. ,-A6.
:. Raghavan, R.L 1ell 2est 3nalysis, 7TR 7rentice all,
>nglewood Bliff, Kew ;ersey, *,--9+ pp. 4--A/.
-. )aid, 5. B., 7roett, 5. (., Bhen, B. B., and 'ord, ). T.L
$Improved 5odels for Interpreting the 7ressure Response of
'ormation Testers,% paper &7> 66A.1, presented at the 44th
&7> (nnual Technical Bonference and >"hibition, 3allas,
Te"as, Ectober ,--,.
,/. 7roett, 5. (., and Bhin, ). B.L $Kew 3ual-7robe )ireline
'ormation Testing and &ampling Tool >nables Real-Time
7ermeability and (nisotropy 5easurements,% paper &7> .-A/,
presented at the &7> 7ermian 8asin Eil and 2as Recovery
Bonference held in 5idland, Te"as, 6,O69 5arch 6///.