Cross discipline use of the

Modular Formation Dynamics

Tester (MDT) in the North Sea
John Costaschuk, Dann Halverson, Andrew
Robertson
Res. Eng.
Petrophysicist
Geologist

Content
Defining the Value of Information and the Functionality of the
Modular Formation Dynamics Tester (MDT)
Examples of value creation within BPs North Sea operations:
A. Operational Value

InSitu Fluid
Analysis
(IFA)

B. Subsurface Value

IFA & Asphaltene EoS

Vertical Interference Test

Summary and Conclusions

C. Project Value

Acquisition of live
microbial samples

Defining the Value of

Information
Many E&P decisions are difficult to make, involving
significant capital expenditure for uncertain gain.
Value enhancement comes from allowing more robust
decisions to be made, as a result of more reliable
forecasting of the uncertain parameters and outcomes.
Operational
Subsurface
Project
Value of Information (VoI) compares the value associated
with a decision, informed with and without extra
information.
The reliability of the additional data is crucial to
understand.

The Functionality of the Modular

Formation Dynamics Tester (MDT)
Conventional openhole
pressure data is difficult
to interpret in some
areas of the resource:
Depletion signal
impacts interpretation
Low matrix perm in
parts of the reservoir

High Pressure Pump

Focused Sampling Probe
Large Diameter Probe

* (IFA) InSitu Fluid Analyser

Guard Fluid Analyser

for focused sampling

Reservoir Formation

InSitu Fluid Analyser

Reservoir Formation

Adding IFA* data

increases reliability of
the fluid interpretation:
Viscosity
Optical Density
Fluid Density
Resistivity

Sample Chambers

Operational Value of MDT

Operational Value of IFA:

A. Operational Value

Rapid determination of fluid contacts

Allows on the fly programme modification
B. Subsurface
Value
C. Project
Value
Allows
on the fly
well test design
modification
Resultant time cost saving on data acquisition.

Conversely allows you to optimise a programme

when you only have a very limited time window.

Insitu Fluid
Analysis
(IFA)

Recent appraisal experience:

IFA
The
top ranked objective
of a well was to
& asphaltene
EoS
Acquisition of live
confirm OIP by establishing FWL within the
microbial samples
Vertical
Interference Test
segment
It was critical to ensure that a reliable free
water sample was captured before weather
terminated the operation.

Operational Value of MDT

IFA confirmation that well objective met

What is the critical time estimate for clean-up, before which

quality samples can be taken? Is the rock of adequate mobility?
Should the sample point be re-placed along the open-hole
environment and clean-up restarted?
Under poor weather conditions, when have the objectives been
met, and thus can the run be terminated?

Operational Value of MDT

IFA confirmation that well objective met

Shut-in

Resistivity

Shut-in
Density

Operational Value of MDT

IFA confirmation that well objective
met
Well Objective (#1)
Confirm OIP by establishing FWL within segment.
IFA Observation
FLOWING: Resistivity saturated up to 6900s, but after this
resistivity drops in spikes: non-continuous water phase (droplet)
becomes more continuous; relatively low viscosity bulk phase
SHUT-IN: After the pumps are stopped at 10600s two immiscible
fluids appear to segregate in the flowline, and a water density is
measured at the AFA sensor at the bottom of the flowline
IFA Interpretation
Mixed flow of two immiscible fluids when sampling
Free water phase
Oil phase or mud filtrate

Reliable
Information

Subsurface Value of MDT

IFA integration with lab and depletion data
Reliable
Information

Subsurface Value of IFA and asphaltene EoS:

Alternate matches to the petroleum system model
Connectivity and compartmentalisation

A. Operational Value

Insitu Fluid
Analysis
(IFA)

B. Subsurface Value

IFA & asphaltene EoS

Vertical Interference Test

C. Project Value

Acquisition of live
microbial samples
IFA Data
Pressure
Data

Subsurface Value of MDT

Vertical Interference Test Data

Subsurface Value of Vertical Interference Test dat

Uncalibrated petrophysical model
A. Operational Value

Insitu Fluid
Analysis
(IFA)

DST test / no test decision required

B. Subsurface Value
C.missing
Project Value
core interva
Kh and Kv/Kh uncertainty in

IFA & asphaltene EoS

Vertical Interference Test

Acquisition of live
microbial samples

Project Value of MDT

Acquisition of live microbial
samples
Project Value in acquisition of live microbial
samples
A. Operational Value

Insitu Fluid
Analysis
(IFA)

Reduce uncertainty on reservoir souring

B. Subsurface Value
C. Project Value
mechanism and evaluate injection water design
options
Recent appraisal experience:
A specialised bottle preparation and sample
handling protocol has been developed between
BP, OilPlus and Schlumberger
IFA& Pressurised
asphaltene water
EoS samples are not required
Acquisition of live
for molecular work
microbial samples
Vertical
Interference Test
Pressurised
water samples are required for
transferring and setting up the culture
After three months incubation of the pressurised
culture no significant hydrogen sulphide
generation was observed (multiple bottles for

Summary and Conclusions

Operational Value of InSitu Fluid Analyser (IFA):
When and where to sample relative to well objectives
Subsurface Value of IFA & asphaltene Equation of
State:
Alternate matches to the petroleum system model
Connectivity and compartmentalisation
Subsurface Value of Vertical Interference Test data:
DST test / no test decision
Kh and Kv/Kh in missing core interval
Project Value of acquisition of live microbial samples

Questions
Thank you for your attention and interest.

Credit:
Paul Roylance & Gavin Fleming (Operations Geologists)
Ilaria de Santo & Jonathan Haslanger (Schlumberger)
Keith Robinson & Richard Jonson (Oil Plus)