Well Test Data Preprocessing

Quality Assurance
and
Quality Control

Production Optimization
and
Data Preprocessing
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 QA/QC

DATA
ACQUISITION

OPERATING SERVICE
COMPANY COMPANY

ECONOMICAL COMMERCIAL
CONCERN TECHNICAL CONCERN
CONCERN

MAXIMUM INFORMATION COMPETITIVE AND

TO BE EXTRACTED SATISFACTORY PRODUCT
© 1987-2002 - 021010

QUALITY ASSURANCE
REQUIRED

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 QA/QC – Why ?

HIGH ACCURACY SENSITIVE ANALYSIS

MEASUREMENTS METHODS

UNSEEN UNTIL NOW PHENOMENA ARE TODAY

REVEALED

DIAGNOSIS BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT

SOLUTIONS ARE MULTIPLE

NEED FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 QA/QC – What ?

ACQUISITION RESERVOIR WELLBORE

PROBLEMS BEHAVIOR PHENOMENA

OBSERVED PRESSURE
BEHAVIORS

CONTAMINATED PRESSURE
INFORMATION

QA/QC
© 1987-2002 - 021010

DIAGNOSIS AND SELECTION

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 QA/QC : Identify problems

UNDESIRED WELLBORE ACQUISITION AND GAUGE

PHENOMENA PROBLEMS

PHASE SEGREGATION GAUGE DRIFT

FLUID INTERFACE PRESSURE GAUGE

MOVEMENTS OUT OF SPECIFICATIONS

TEMPERATURE ANOMALIES ELECTRONIC DYSFUNCTION

AFFECTING GAUGE

OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS
WELLBORE CROSS FLOW
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 QA/QC : Test Design

If wellbore problems are likely to happen then

an adequate test design can avoid some or all
of the acquisition problems:

• Downhole shut-in
• Placement of pressure gauges
• Procedures adapted to well and completion

The test design must

• Reach the test objectives

© 1987-2002 - 021010

• Avoid the undesired wellbore effects

• Select the best acquisition conditions

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 The QA/QC procedure

• Review of the data

• Time synchronization

• Gauge Comparison

• Differential Pressure Analysis

• Establish Gauge Offset (measure of quality)

• Check Gauge Offset within specifications

• Establish Fluid Phases for pressure correction

• Validity of Transient Analysis

© 1987-2002 - 021010

• Selection of the most representative data channel

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 Differential pressure analysis

The differential pressure between gauges

is a direct measure of
the hydrostatic head between sensors

The pressure gradient must correspond

to the expected fluid.
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 QA/QC : Fluid level

Differential pressure (Pbot -Ptop) A CHANGING LIQUID LEVEL IN A WELL CAN BE SEEN ON THE DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE

Upper gauge Ptop

© 1987-2002 - 021010

Lower gauge Pbottom

TIME

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 Field Example

Test Information

Well is shut in by a mechanical ‘downhole shut-in valve set in a

completion
nipple 30 m above sandface.

High accuracy quartz memory recorders are suspended in tandem

under the shut-in valve. Tool string run in on slickline.

At the end of the planned build-up, pressure equalization was made

using slickline.

During the test the well had produced sand, which had to be bailed
before gauge recovery.
© 1987-2002 - 021010

Flowing pressure was unstable due to slugging caused by long

flowlines to the gathering station.

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 Field Example
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 Field Example
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 Field Example
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 Field Example
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 Field Example
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 Field Example
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 QA/QC : Phase segregation

PHASE SEGREGATION DURING THE BUILD UP

Upper gauge

Flowing
dynamic gradient

Lower gauge
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 QA/QC : Phase segregation

PHASE SEGREGATION DURING THE BUILD UP

Upper gauge

Static gradient

Lower gauge
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 QA/QC : Phase segregation

PHASE SEGREGATION DURING THE BUILD UP

Upper gauge

Start of phase
segregation

Lower gauge
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 QA/QC : Phase segregation

PHASE SEGREGATION DURING THE BUILD UP

Upper gauge

Segregation

Lower gauge
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 QA/QC : Phase segregation

PHASE SEGREGATION DURING THE BUILD UP

Upper gauge

Static gradient stable

Lower gauge
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 Differential Pressure Analysis

DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE ANALYSIS

EVENT From Difference Channel dGradient Assumed Assumed Calculated Implied Observed dp Residual
Time dp Fluid Gradient dp Offset corrected Difference
(lower-upper) between Gauges (lower-upper)
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]
(hr) (psi) (psi/m) (psi/m) (psi) (psi) (psi) (psi)

Event 1 17.10 6.30 Friction 2.340 6.51 -0.21 6.51 0.00

Event 2 17.18 2.90 -1.22 Oil 1.120 3.11 -0.21 3.11 0.00
Event 3 17.22 2.90 0.00 OIl 1.120 3.11 -0.21 3.11 0.00
Event 4 17.33 0.20 -0.97 Gas 0.147 0.41 -0.21 0.41 0.00
Event 5 22.50 0.20 0.00 Gas 0.147 0.41 -0.21 0.41 0.00
Event 6 32.00 2.90 Oil 1.120 3.11 -0.21 3.11 0.00

Input Fields

Upper Gauge Assumed Accuracy Offset: -0.21 psi

Lower Gauge

Distance Between Sensors 2.78 m TVD Accuracy Offset:

Lower Gauge = Upper Gauge - X psi

Pressure Gradients
Gas gradient (psi/m) 0.147
Oil Gradient (psi/m) 1.120
© 1987-2002 - 021010

Water gradient (psi/m) 1.680

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 Differential Pressure Analysis

DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE ANALYSIS

EVENT From Difference Channel dGradient Assumed Assumed Calculated Implied Observed dp Residual
Time dp Fluid Gradient dp Offset corrected Difference
(lower-upper) between Gauges (lower-upper)
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]
(hr) (psi) (psi/m) (psi/m) (psi) (psi) (psi) (psi)

Event 1 17.10 6.30 Friction 2.340 6.51 -0.21 8.07 1.56

Event 2 17.18 2.90 -1.22 Water 1.680 4.67 -1.77 4.67 0.00
Event 3 17.22 2.90 0.00 Water 1.680 4.67 -1.77 4.67 0.00
Event 4 17.33 0.20 -0.97 Oil 1.120 3.11 -2.91 1.97 -1.14
Event 5 22.50 0.20 0.00 Oil 1.120 3.11 -2.91 1.97 -1.14
Event 6 32.00 2.90 Water 1.680 4.67 -1.77 4.67 0.00

Input Fields

Upper Gauge Assumed Accuracy Offset: -1.77 psi

Lower Gauge

Distance Between Sensors 2.78 m TVD Accuracy Offset:

Lower Gauge = Upper Gauge - X psi

Pressure Gradients
Gas gradient (psi/m) 0.147
Oil Gradient (psi/m) 1.120
© 1987-2002 - 021010

Water gradient (psi/m) 1.680

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 Field Example 2

0.147 psi/m
Pbefore = 1642.12 psia
Pafter = 1655.18 psia
dP = 13.06 psi

Equivalent to fluid level

3 ft 3 ft drop of 105 ft

5,000 ft

105 ft

0.557 psi/m
© 1987-2002 - 021010

Preservoir

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 Field Example: Temperature
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 QA/QC Conclusion

- Identification can be made of:

- Gauge drift
- Phase segregation
- Anomalies not reported
- Gauges reported up-side-down
- Fluid phases for pressure
correction

- Check of gauge manufacturer’s claims to

accuracy and resolution
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 QA/QC Conclusion

- Determined which part of the measured

pressure data is due to pure reservoir response

- Discounted the pressure behavior due to

wellbore effects

- Identified the validity of Pressure Transient

Analysis
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 Production optimization using
Saphir

Offtake rate relatively constant

then
Differential pressure analysis (BHP – THP)
indicates:

• Changes in water cut

• Changes in GOR
• Changes in flow restrictions and skin
© 1987-2002 - 021010

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 Data filtering: Wavelets

• Used to suppress noise

• Defined as a group of data points scattered around
the same neighborhood
• Extract the most representative features from the
data eliminating noise without eliminating the signal
© 1987-2002 - 021010

Wavelet de-noising

This is a process used to suppress noise, defined as a group of data points scattered around the same
neighborhood in order to extract the most representative features from the data. It should be performed on an
outlier free data set. It corresponds to a non-parametric regression procedure, which determines the best fitted
curve that goes though the noisy data. Noise in the data can then be suppressed by shrinking the wavelet detailed
signal that contains the small-scaled information.
Input parameters are: Noise threshold, Sample spacing and De-noising method.
Noise threshold: Threshold value used to suppress noise in the data (e.g. a data point is considered to be a noisy
point if its value differs from the rest of the neighboring values for more than the magnitude of the noise threshold)
Sample spacing: Since wavelet analysis requires evenly spaced samples of data; the input signal needs to be
resampled in a uniform fashion. In order to keep the original data resolution, it should correspond to the smallest
input data spacing.
De-noising method: Several types of noise suppression are available in the wavelet analysis, different methods
being suitable for different types of data. Four of them have been implemented:
(a) Soft thresholding method: It provides smooth results and works fine when there are no discontinuities in the
data. These discontinuities are usually smeared out with this method. Therefore, this method might not be suitable
for samples of the pressure transient data showing abrupt changes when there is a rate change.
(b) Hard thresholding method: It provides a lesser degree of smoothness, but it preserves most of the sharp
features (discontinuities) in the data. However, some noisy points where the data are continuous may not be
suppressed.
(c) Hybrid thresholding method: It combines the criteria of the previous methods for both sharp and continuous
data. As a result, discontinuities are preserved with a minimum degree of smearing out, while the continuous data
are smoothed.
(d) Sharp thresholding method: It smoothes the data in the continuous part using the soft thresholding method,
while sharp feature changes are left untouched.
When accessing the de-noising facility, the user can either go to the advanced dialog where the different
parameters can be set, or specify a «de-noise level». The de-noising method used will therefore be the Hybrid
thresholding method and the higher the «
de-noise level», the higher the threshold value and the spacing info.

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 Refine rates: Wavelets

• Allows the user to automatically refine a rate history

•Change in the rate value can be re-evaluated using a wavelet algorithm

and the pressure response of the active gauge.
© 1987-2002 - 021010

Refine Rates

This option allows the user to automatically refine the rate history by recalculating the rate values over a selected
time period. Current rate history splitting can be used or, on the basis of the active gauge, each time
corresponding to a change in the rate value can be re-evaluated using a wavelet algorithm. This is done on the
basis of the current active gauge, for which the large discontinuities are identified using the wavelet facility (e.g.
these discontinuities are assumed to occur when there is a change in the rate value).
Having the rate history decomposition, an infinite acting radial flow model is used to compute the new rate values,
knowing the pressure drop corresponding to each rate period (thanks to the active gauge). Note that the simplistic
model used will soon be replaced by the current model within the active analysis. If the user time selection allows
it, a step-by-step method is used to calculate each rate value. Prior to this method, the model parameters are
computed assuming that the rate values before the user time selection are valid. If this parameter estimation
appears to be impossible, they are then calculated by regression means, as well as each rate value.
An automatic way of identifying changes in the flow rates is offered using the wavelet algorithm. However, note
that the transient identification may need to be revised before using as input for the interpretation step. Input
required for this method is:
Shortest transient: It corresponds to the length of the shortest flow period to be detected. It should be set to a
small number (0.1 hour, for example) if every small flow period is to be determined, and to a large number (10
hours, for example) if only major transients are to be detected.
Sample spacing: Since wavelet analysis requires evenly spaced samples of data, the input signal needs to be re-
sampled in a uniform fashion. In order to keep the original data resolution, it should correspond to the smallest
input data spacing.
Slope threshold: It is a slope value that determines which part of the data is considered to be a response to a
change in flow rate. A neighborhood in which the slope of the data is higher than the value of the slope threshold
is considered to have a change in the flow rate. This value should be set to a small number (5 psi/hour, for
example) if all the transients due to small changes in the flow rate are to be detected, and should be set to a large
number (50 psi/hour, for example) if only the transients that are caused by major changes in the flow rate are to be
detected. In general, the value of the slope threshold depends on the reservoir and fluid properties, which is
reflected in the characteristic of the pressure data.

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 Simplify rates

• To simplify large and complex rate histories

© 1987-2002 - 021010

Simplify rates

When a rate history contains a large number of different rates (usually with small
duration), it might be useful to have it simplified. This process does it automatically,
over a user selected time period: it averages all rates that differ for less than a
threshold value given by the user.

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 Data filtering: Tide effects
210.44

Manual time shift for tides

210.4

Auto-match time shift for tides

[p s ia ]

210.36

Auto-compute tides amplitude

Auto-match time shift and
210.32

amplitude for tides

1E+5
[S TB/D]

3E+5
-140 -120 -100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0

History plot (Pressure [psia], Liquid Rate [STB/D] vs Time [hr])

© 1987-2002 - 021010

Tides

Tidal effect on pressure measurements can be strong, especially when data acquisition occurs offshore. This type
of effect can heavily influence the derivative behavior and errors in the analysis are frequent. Therefore, it is
important to remove this effect without removing the true reservoir response before attempting any interpretation.
Calling the tidal facility, a dialog with a composite plot appears. The upper section contains the active gauge of the
active QA/QC plot (this facility cannot be called when a child plot is active). The lower one contains the tidal signal
if already loaded. This signal, either coming from a seabed gauge or from a software-generated signal. Note that,
entering the well location; a new facility will soon be integrated in Saphir 3 to allow the generation of this tidal
table. The loaded tidal signal is then normalized and displayed.
The signal is then shifted in time according to the Phase input and the resulting signal is then removed from the
active gauge. It is considered to be a new gauge, and it appears in the upper plot, its appearance corresponding
to the next gauge default. This new gauge will be updated anytime the user enters a new Phase and/or Amplitude
and presses the Apply button. These two parameters can also be automatically computed using a regression
process.
If the new gauge corresponds to an interpretable data set, clicking the “Create Gauge” button will effectively create
the new gauge, add it to the active QA/QC plot and propose a new gauge be created in the upper plot of the
dialog (with its appearance corresponding to the next gauge default). Phase and amplitude can then be changed
or a new signal can be loaded, and a new gauge can be created in this manner.

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