Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop

Adams Mark Hotel, Denver, Colorado

March 5 - 7, 2007
Acoustic Liquid
Acoustic Liquid
-
-
Level Determination of
Level Determination of
Shut
Shut
-
-
in Reservoir Pressure in Gas Wells
in Reservoir Pressure in Gas Wells
O. Lynn Rowlan
O. Lynn Rowlan

Echometer Company
Echometer Company
Omar
Omar
Hamdon
Hamdon

Hamdon
Hamdon
Wellsite
Wellsite
Solutions
Solutions
James N. McCoy
James N. McCoy

Echometer Company
Echometer Company
http://www.nitrolifttechnologies.com/
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
2
Introduction/Observations
Introduction/Observations
1.
1.
Acoustic liquid level tests are performed successfully
Acoustic liquid level tests are performed successfully
on different types of wells throughout the world.
on different types of wells throughout the world.
2.
2.
Most common use of acoustic liquid level instrument
Most common use of acoustic liquid level instrument
is to measure the distance to the liquid level in the
is to measure the distance to the liquid level in the
casing annulus
casing annulus
of a
of a
producing
producing
or
or
shut
shut
-
-
in oil well
in oil well
.
.
3.
3.
On gas wells an acoustic fluid level tests can provide
On gas wells an acoustic fluid level tests can provide
the similar results as the static gradient surveys.
the similar results as the static gradient surveys.
4.
4.
Information can be collected quickly and at low cost.
Information can be collected quickly and at low cost.
5.
5.
Information is from static acoustic surveys performed
Information is from static acoustic surveys performed
on shut
on shut
-
-
in gas wells in rugged terrain in Canada.
in gas wells in rugged terrain in Canada.
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
3
1)
1)
No gas/liquid flow into the wellbore.
No gas/liquid flow into the wellbore.
2)
2)
Bottom hole pressure has
Bottom hole pressure has
increased until all flow from the
increased until all flow from the
Formation Stops
Formation Stops
3)
3)
Includes wells that have been shut
Includes wells that have been shut
-
-
in for an extended time.
in for an extended time.
4)
4)
Usually in shut
Usually in shut
-
-
in gas wells the gas
in gas wells the gas
pressure causes liquid to back flow
pressure causes liquid to back flow
into the formation.
into the formation.
5)
5)
In shut
In shut
-
-
in gas wells the Liquid Level
in gas wells the Liquid Level
is often at the perforations.
is often at the perforations.
Static/Shut
Static/Shut
-
-
in Gas Well
in Gas Well
-
-
(NO Gas Velocity)
(NO Gas Velocity)
V=0
V=0
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
4
Bottom
Bottom
-
-
hole Pressure
hole Pressure

There is nothing more important in petroleum

There is nothing more important in petroleum
engineering than a definite knowledge of the
engineering than a definite knowledge of the
pressure at the bottom of an oil well at any existing
pressure at the bottom of an oil well at any existing
operating condition, and the relation of this pressure
operating condition, and the relation of this pressure
to the pressure within the producing formation
to the pressure within the producing formation

.
.
yet there is less information about these pressures
yet there is less information about these pressures
than about any other part of the general problem of
than about any other part of the general problem of
producing
producing

Millikan*, C. V and C. Millikan*, C. V and C. Sidwell Sidwell*, *, Transactions Transactions of AIME, 1931, page 194. of AIME, 1931, page 194.
* Amerada Petroleum Corporation * Amerada Petroleum Corporation
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
5
Static Bottom Hole Pressure, SBHP
Static Bottom Hole Pressure, SBHP
Static Bottom Hole Pressure, SBHP

Energy available to
Energy available to
push the gas and fluids
push the gas and fluids
to the wellbore.
to the wellbore.

Generally GUESSED.
Generally GUESSED.

Need within +/
Need within +/
-
-
15%.
15%.
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
6
Calculation of SBHP
Calculation of SBHP
Calculation of SBHP
Gas
Brine
Oil
Pt
Static FL
Well Shut-in
Static BHP =
Static BHP =
Surface pressure +
Surface pressure +
Gas column pressure +
Gas column pressure +
Oil column pressure +
Oil column pressure +
Water column pressure
Water column pressure
Note: Fluids Segregated by Gravity
Note: Fluids Segregated by Gravity
Gas SG determined from
Gas SG determined from
Acoustic
Acoustic
Velocity &
Velocity &
Fluid SG input.
Fluid SG input.
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
7
Shut
Shut
-
-
in
in

Static Gas Well

Static Gas Well
Loaded
Static
A Gas Well DOES NOT load up when it is shut-in.
See
Perfs
& EOT
Flow
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
8
Set Tubing Intake Depth
Set Tubing Intake Depth
?
?
Static
Static

Above
Above Static Liquid Level for Gas Wells

Below
Below Static Liquid Level for Wells with Down Hole Pump
See
Perfs
Equalize
Pt=0
Pc=1230
Pc=1230
Tubing Loaded
May Need Pump
Pt=1230
Pump Dry, but
Gas Can Flow
DO NOT See Perfs in All Static Gas Wells
DO NOT See Perfs in All Static Gas Wells
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
9
When a Gas Well is Shut-in
When a Gas Well is Shut
When a Gas Well is Shut
-
-
in
in
Gas
Liquid
Pt
Static FL
Well Shut-in
1.
1.
Well Head Pressure, Pt, is
Well Head Pressure, Pt, is
the
the
Major Portion
Major Portion
of BHP.
of BHP.
2. Pressure, Pgc, due to Gas
2. Pressure, Pgc, due to Gas
Column is Generally Small
Column is Generally Small
Pgc
4
=
*
1
Casing
Pressure,psi
100
*
100
Gas Column
Length, feet
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
10
Deviation Survey Converts MD to TVD
Calculate All Pressures Based on TVD
Deviation Survey Converts MD to TVD
Deviation Survey Converts MD to TVD
Calculate All Pressures Based on TVD
Calculate All Pressures Based on TVD
Shut
Shut
-
-
in
in
Gas Well
Gas Well
Fluid Levels Fluid Levels
Measure Measure
Distance Distance
Along Along
Wellbore Wellbore
Deviation Deviation
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
11
Static Bottom
Hole Pressure,
SBHP
Static Bottom
Static Bottom
Hole Pressure,
Hole Pressure,
SBHP
SBHP
Operator should
Operator should
measure
measure
static
static
fluid level and
fluid level and
surface pressure
surface pressure
in wells shut
in wells shut
-
-
in
in
for any reason.
for any reason.
Use
Use
Wellbore
Wellbore
Description to
Description to
Identify Down
Identify Down
Hole Markers
Hole Markers
Gas Well
Gas Well
Static
Static
Shut
Shut
-
-
in
in
Waiting on
Waiting on
Flowline
Flowline
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
12
Static Fluid Level on Gas Well
Static Fluid Level on Gas Well
Static Fluid Level on Gas Well
Measured Surface Pressure Measured Surface Pressure
2249.5 Psig 2249.5 Psig
365.8 Psig Gas Column 365.8 Psig Gas Column
Pressure Pressure
High Pressure Gas Pushed all High Pressure Gas Pushed all
but 87.8 ft of Liquid Back into but 87.8 ft of Liquid Back into
Formation Formation
Easy to Observe Up Easy to Observe Up- -kick kick
caused by the top perfs at 6032 caused by the top perfs at 6032
feet (Next Slide) feet (Next Slide)
Collar Recesses Counted to Collar Recesses Counted to
Perforations Perforations
Shut
Shut
-
-
in
in
Gas Well
Gas Well
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
13
-LL
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Sec
Implosion
1
0
0
.
0

m
V
( ft ) 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000
C -
Acoustic Trace From
Static Fluid Level on Gas Well
Acoustic Trace From
Acoustic Trace From
Static Fluid Level on Gas Well
Static Fluid Level on Gas Well
Collar Recesses Collar Recesses
Counted to Counted to
Perforations Perforations
7 7 8 Sec 8 Sec
7 7 8 Sec 8 Sec
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
14
-LL
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Sec
Implosion
1
0
0
.
0

m
V
( ft ) 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000
C -
Analysis Method of Counting Collars vs Using
Top of Perforations as Known Marker Depth
Analysis Method of Counting Collars
Analysis Method of Counting Collars
vs
vs
Using
Using
Top of Perforations as Known Marker Depth
Top of Perforations as Known Marker Depth
Collar Recesses Collar Recesses
Counted to Perforations Counted to Perforations
Depth to LL = 6162.22 Depth to LL = 6162.22
-LL
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Sec
Implosion
1
0
0
.
0

m
V
( ft ) 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000
-DM
Depth to LL = 6164.21 Depth to LL = 6164.21
6032 ft to Top 6032 ft to Top
of Perforations of Perforations
Acoustic Velocity = 1420 Acoustic Velocity = 1420 - -1500 ft/sec 1500 ft/sec
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
15
Knowledge of Acoustic Velocity Behavior
at Pressure and Temperature is Important
Knowledge of Acoustic Velocity Behavior
Knowledge of Acoustic Velocity Behavior
at Pressure and Temperature is Important
at Pressure and Temperature is Important
@ Perfs: @ Perfs:
6032 Feet 6032 Feet
150 Deg F 150 Deg F
2640 2640 Psia Psia
Surface: Surface:
0 Feet 0 Feet
70 Deg F 70 Deg F
2264 2264 Psia Psia
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
16
Determination of Accurate Static BHP
Determination of Accurate Static BHP
Determination of Accurate Static BHP

Accurate calculation of Static BHP requires knowing

Accurate calculation of Static BHP requires knowing
the distance to the Liquid Level Casing Pressure, and
the distance to the Liquid Level Casing Pressure, and
Casing Pressure Buildup Rate.
Casing Pressure Buildup Rate.

Well should be shut

Well should be shut
-
-
in for a time sufficient to
in for a time sufficient to
stabilized casing pressure and fluid level.
stabilized casing pressure and fluid level.

Periodic fluid level and casing pressure and

Periodic fluid level and casing pressure and
casing
casing
pressure buildup
pressure buildup
rate measurements determines if
rate measurements determines if
well has reached Static Conditions.
well has reached Static Conditions.

BHP = Surface Casing Pressure + Pressure from the

BHP = Surface Casing Pressure + Pressure from the
column of fluids in the annulus.
column of fluids in the annulus.
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
17

Access to Well Not Restricted by

Access to Well Not Restricted by
Road Bans or Rough Terrain
Road Bans or Rough Terrain

Safer Because of Using Less

Safer Because of Using Less
Manpower and Heavy Equipment
Manpower and Heavy Equipment

Inexpensive to use Fluid Level

Inexpensive to use Fluid Level
Instruments
Instruments

Wire Line Methods Are More Intrusive

Wire Line Methods Are More Intrusive
and Costly
and Costly
Shut
Shut
-
-
in Gas Well
in Gas Well
-
-
(NO Gas Velocity)
(NO Gas Velocity)
Advantages:
Advantages:
Acoustic Fluid Level Instruments Provides
Acoustic Fluid Level Instruments Provides
Advantages Over Wire Gauges:
Advantages Over Wire Gauges:
V=0
V=0
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
18
Acoustic BHP Software
AWP 2000 program: use with data obtained with
strip chart instruments
TWM program: digital acquisition and processing of
acoustic liquid level.
Download free from www.echometer.com
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
19
1)
1)
Use Acoustic Fluid Level
Use Acoustic Fluid Level
Surveys to
Surveys to
Determine the Static Shut
Determine the Static Shut
-
-
in
in
Pressures
Pressures
2)
2)
Acoustically Determined Bottom Hole
Acoustically Determined Bottom Hole
Pressures
Pressures
Accurate
Accurate
3)
3)
Liquid Level Is Usually at the
Liquid Level Is Usually at the
Perforations in Shut
Perforations in Shut
-
-
in Gas Wells
in Gas Wells
Shut
Shut
-
-
in Gas Well
in Gas Well
-
-
(NO Gas Velocity)
(NO Gas Velocity)
Conclusions:
Conclusions:
V=0
V=0
Mar. 5 - 7, 2007
2007 Gas Well De-Liquification Workshop
Denver, Colorado
20
Disclaimer
The following disclaimer may be included as the last page of a Technical Presentation
or Continuing Education Course. A similar disclaimer is included on the front page of
the Gas Well Deliquification Web Site.
The Gas Well Deliquification Steering Committee Members, the Supporting
Organizations and their companies, the author(s) of this Technical
Presentation or Continuing Education Course, and their company(ies),
provide this presentation and/or training at the Gas Well Deliquification
Workshop "as is" without any warranty of any kind, express or implied, as to
the accuracy of the information or the products or services referred to by
any presenter (in so far as such warranties may be excluded under any
relevant law) and these members and their companies will not be liable for
unlawful actions and any losses or damage that may result from use of any
presentation as a consequence of any inaccuracies in, or any omission from,
the information which therein may be contained.