Multi-Zone Downhole Reservoir Testing With Closed-Loop Fluid Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Well testing in hydrocarbon reservoirs is costly and complex due to the need for extensive surface equipment, environmental concerns from fluid disposal, and challenges in wireless communication systems, particularly in multi-zone wells.

Innovation Solution

A closed loop well testing system using a toolstring with packers, fluid valves, and a fluid flow device, combined with a simplified acoustic communication network and Multiple Hop Queries, allows fluid flow between zones without surfacing, reducing equipment needs and simplifying communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional well testing methods are used with extensive surface equipment, then testing can be performed, but capital expenditure and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting capabilityVSAvoidsurface equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the fluid disposal function from the surface and relocates it downhole by creating a closed-loop system where fluids flow from the lower zone through the toolstring and are disposed in the upper zone, eliminating the need for surface disposal equipment and reducing capital expenditure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions into the downhole toolstring including packers for isolation, valves for flow control, and a fluid flow device for circulation, integrating what would traditionally require separate surface equipment into a single downhole assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of information

If traditional wireless communication systems are used in multi-zone wells, then communication is possible, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidcommunication network

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces acoustic repeaters as intermediary devices that relay communication signals between the surface hub device and downhole tools, enabling reliable wireless communication in multi-zone wells without requiring complex direct communication systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12448887B2Method and system for automated multi-zone downhole closed loop reservoir testing

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A well testing system and method is disclosed that reduces the surface equipment needed for well testing by providing a closed loop fluid flow path where the fluids produced during the well test are not brought to the surface for storage or flaring but instead are disposed in a downhole zone. The system and method are implemented using a simplified acoustic communications network where a hub device generates and transmits a single multiple hop query that includes multiple commands or queries directed to targeted downhole tools.