Low cost wellsite determination of bottomhole pressure from acoustic surveys in high pressure wells

Conference · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6169735

Podio, A L; McCoy, J N; Podio, L; Weeks, S G

The risk and cost involved in undertaking bottom-hole pressure surveys by wireline in high-pressure gas wells, especially those which produce sour gas, often discourages obtaining information which is vital for evaluation of well performance. Field tests have verified the accuracy of a sensitive, high-pressure acoustic instrument that enables determination of fluid levels and/or echo-time to a downhole marker, without limitation by depth, well tubulars or environment. This has opened the way for development of a diagnostic technique giving information about well pressures and fluid distribution in the wellbore without the use of downhole pressure survey tools. This Wellsite Pressure Calculation System (WPCS) is especially applicable for hostile environments, attributable to high pressure/high temperature, sour gas production, where wireline surveys involve significant risk and expense. Results, supported by field tests involving pressure buildups under controlled conditions, indicate the calculated pressures agree with those measured by downhole pressure bombs to within the accuracy of the pressure bombs (1%) and can be used satisfactorily in buildup analysis. A description of three sets of field tests is given, as well as the development of programs for wellsite data analysis using a portable, battery-powered microcomputer.

• Research Organization: The Univ. of Texas at Austin
• OSTI ID: 6169735
• Report Number(s): CONF-8409104-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: SPE 13254
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030300* -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENTS
CAPITALIZED COST
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS
COMPUTERS
COST
DATA PROCESSING
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
FIELD TESTS
FLUIDS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MICROELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
MICROPROCESSORS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
PRESSURE MEASUREMENT
PROCESSING
RESERVOIR FLUIDS
RESERVOIR PRESSURE
SENSITIVITY
SONIC LOGGING
TESTING
WELL LOGGING
WELL PRESSURE
WELLS