Production Well Gas Breakthrough Localization Using Mud-Gas Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for identifying gas breakthrough in production wells are inaccurate and costly, particularly in mature oil fields, leading to reduced oil production rates and increased energy consumption due to inefficient gas recycling and re-injection processes.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing mud-gas data collected during drilling to accurately identify the location of gas breakthrough within production wells, combined with production composition and tracer data, and optionally verified by 4D seismic, cuttings, and petrophysical data, followed by targeted well intervention operations to seal or bypass perforations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If tracer analysis is used to identify gas breakthrough, then the occurrence and source well can be identified, but the precise location along the production well cannot be determined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas breakthrough location identificationVSAvoidspatial location information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the production well into multiple depth intervals or zones along its length. By analyzing tracer concentration variations across these segmented zones, the system can identify which specific segment is experiencing gas breakthrough, thereby locating the precise position along the well rather than just identifying the source injection well.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds the spatial dimension (depth/position along the well) to the tracer analysis. Instead of only analyzing temporal tracer arrival and concentration data, the system incorporates depth information from well logs or formation testing data to map tracer responses to specific locations along the production wellbore, enabling precise spatial localization of gas breakthrough.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If well intervention techniques are used to close off parts of the production well, then gas breakthrough can be mitigated, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil production rateVSAvoidcost of well intervention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary identification of the exact gas breakthrough location using tracer analysis before implementing any well intervention measures. By accurately locating the problem zone in advance, the system enables targeted interventions only in the affected segments, avoiding costly complete well workovers and reducing overall intervention costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enables localized treatment of the gas breakthrough problem by identifying specific depth intervals or zones along the production well. This allows for targeted interventions (such as selective plugging or chemical injection) only in the affected local regions rather than treating the entire well, thereby reducing intervention costs while maintaining productivity in unaffected zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If gas injection is used to enhance oil recovery, then the oil production rate increases, but gas breakthrough can occur reducing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil production rateVSAvoidgas injection effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring tracer concentrations in produced fluids to detect gas breakthrough events. When gas breakthrough is detected through tracer analysis, the system provides feedback to operators to adjust injection parameters, modify well operations, or implement corrective measures, thereby maintaining the effectiveness of gas injection for oil recovery enhancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Accurately locates gas breakthrough to within meters, significantly reducing fluid production from the affected area, thereby increasing oil production rates and reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Implementation Method 1

examining mud-gas data collected during drilling of the production well to identify a gas breakthrough location within the well

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas release from drilling mud: Desorption

Implementation Method 2

a tracer fluid, having an identifiable or traceable chemical composition or radioactive signal, is included within the injection fluid that is injected into an oil reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadioactive tracing: Radioactive Tracing

Data Source

PatentUS12612857B2Gas breakthrough analysis

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 EQUINOR ENERGY AS

AI summary

A method of identifying a location of gas breakthrough within a completed production well includes: obtaining production composition data and/or tracer data from the production well; analysing the production composition data and/or tracer data to determine whether gas breakthrough has occurred within the production well; and in response to determining that gas breakthrough has occurred within the production well, examining mud-gas data collected during drilling of the production well to identify a gas breakthrough location within the well where the gas breakthrough has occurred.