Downhole Closed-Chamber Well Testing With Acoustic Telemetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well testing methods are inefficient, costly, and environmentally harmful due to the need for cumbersome surface equipment, time-consuming operations, and flaring of produced fluids, which can be prohibited by environmental constraints.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a tubular string with fluid control devices and sensors, along with acoustic communication devices, enables a closed-chamber well test that automates downhole operations, eliminating the need for surface equipment and flaring by using wireless telemetry for real-time monitoring and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heavy and cumbersome surface equipment is used for well testing, then well testing can be performed, but operational complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the well testing functionality from the surface and relocates it downhole. A downhole chamber is formed using packers and valve devices that can contain and test reservoir fluid independently downhole, eliminating the need for heavy surface equipment such as test separators and choke manifolds.
Solution Approach 2:
The downhole chamber performs self-contained well testing operations. The chamber can hold reservoir fluid, perform pressure buildup tests, and communicate results to the surface autonomously without requiring continuous surface equipment intervention or complex surface handling systems.
2Ease of operation
If sequential wireless control is used for downhole equipment, then operation is simplified, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple downhole valve devices are pre-positioned and pre-configured in the tubular string before deployment. The acoustic query string is pre-programmed with the sequence of operations needed, allowing the system to execute multiple valve operations and measurements in a single continuous pass without repeated surface intervention or sequential waiting periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous operational action by using acoustic telemetry to control multiple valve devices in sequence during a single downhole run. The chamber can perform multiple testing operations continuously without interruption, eliminating the time losses associated with stopping and restarting operations at the surface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If produced fluids are flared for disposal, then locations without storage capacity can operate, but environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of flaring produced fluids as a disposal method, the patent converts the produced fluid into a useful resource by containing it in the downhole chamber for measurement and characterization. The same fluid that would be harmful when flared becomes valuable data about reservoir properties, eliminating carbon emissions while maintaining location flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The downhole chamber acts as an intermediary between the reservoir and the surface environment. It captures and contains produced fluid downhole, preventing it from reaching the surface where it would need to be flared or stored, thus eliminating the need for harmful disposal methods while preserving operational flexibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system reduces operational complexity and costs, minimizes environmental impact by eliminating flaring, and ensures safe, efficient well testing with real-time monitoring and automation of downhole equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of acoustic communication devices disposed within the wellbore and operable to communicate with each other, the fluid control devices, and the sensors
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus and methods for performing closed-chamber well testing wherein a surface controller outputs a multiple query string to downhole fluid control devices and/or downhole sensors via wireless communication devices disposed in association with a downhole tubular string. The multiple query string contains queries each addressed to a corresponding instance of the downhole fluid control devices and/or sensors. The queries cause the corresponding downhole fluid control devices and/or sensors to collectively perform at least a portion of a closed-chamber well test for determining properties of a subterranean reservoir.