SPE 77897

Applications of Permanent Downhole Pressure, Temperature, and Flow Rate

Measurements for Reservoir Description and Production Optimization: a Taxonomy,
Processes, and Benefits
Nestor V. Queipo, SPE, Alexander Verde, SPE, Javier Goicochea, David Romero, Applied Computing Institute, University
of Zulia, Venezuela; Alexander Zambrano and Annette Bracho, PDVSA Exploration and Production.

Copyright 2002, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.

Introduction
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and The resolution and accuracy provided by the existing
Exhibition (APOGCE) held in Melbourne, Australia, 8-10 October 2002.
technology for downhole (pressure and temperature) and rate
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of
information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper, as
measurements are unprecedented. However, while the
presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to potential benefits have been outlined, the models and
correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any
position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Papers presented at processes required to reap these benefits (in particular the
SPE meetings are subject to publication review by Editorial Committees of the Society of
Petroleum Engineers. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper
quantifiable ones) have not been sufficiently documented. In
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analysis and discussion of existing and upcoming applications.
This paper presents a: i) summary and classification of
downhole and flow rate measurements applications, ii) a
Abstract discussion of their benefits for reservoir description and
The resolution and accuracy provided by the existing production optimization, and iii) the models and processes
technology for downhole (pressure and temperature) and rate required to obtain those benefits.
measurements are unprecedented. However, while the
potential benefits have been outlined, the models and A Taxonomy of Applications
processes required to reap these benefits (in particular the The applications of permanent downhole pressure,
quantifiable ones) have not been sufficiently documented. In temperature, and flow rate measurements are classified in
addition, considering the increasing number of reported work three non-overlapping categories: reservoir characterization,
in this area, it is necessary to provided a framework for the reservoir/well flow modeling, and processes monitoring.
analysis and discussion of existing and upcoming applications. Tables 1-3 provide examples of applications and reported
This paper presents a: i) summary and classification of work in each category, with indications of the measurements
downhole and flow rate measurements applications, ii) a involved, and the character of the estimation (qualitative or
discussion of their benefits for reservoir description and quantitative). The estimations are typically obtained using the
production optimization, and iii) the models and processes down hole and/or flow rate measurements, coupled with
required to obtain those benefits. numerical or analytical tools.
The above-referenced applications are classified in three
main areas: reservoir characterization, reservoir/well flow Reservoir characterization. The objective of the applications
modeling, and process monitoring. The discussion of each in this category is to assist in the reservoir description process,
application includes: benefits, previously reported work, through the estimation of permeability, porosity, geothermal
required measurements and other relevant data, and a general gradient, aquifer parameters, and identification of inter-
description of the necessary models and processes. connectivity between injectors and producers.
The paper is expected to be useful assessing the possible
impact of investments (business cases) in permanent downhole Reservoir/well flow modeling. These applications model the
and flow rate measurements, designing plans for the develop- flow behavior in the well or the reservoir. Examples of
ment or acquisition of applications, and establishing the applications in this category are: estimations of pressure drop
knowledge requirements in the context of training programs. and temperature profiles along wells, well model calibration,
flow rate estimations, and the identification of injection
preferred zones and operational problems.
2 N. QUEIPO, A. VERDE, J. GOICOCHEA, D. ROMERO, A. ZAMBRANO AND A. BRACHO SPE 77897

Process monitoring. These applications monitor the collected data during a Buildup test if bottomhole pressure and
performance in processes such as cementation, and artificial temperature measurements are available during the well test.
lift (ESP and Gas-lift). Estimating permeability between injector and producer
wells10. The arrival time of injected fluids to producer wells
Processes and Benefits could be identified by the presence of substantial changes in
This section describes the benefits and processes associated the temperature profiles along the producer wells. This time in
with representative applications in the above-referenced turn could be used to estimate the average permeability among
categories (reservoir characterization, reservoir/well flow the injector and producing wells and improve the reservoir
modeling, and process monitoring). In each case, the required description. Temperature measurements along the injector and
sensor measurements and modeling tools are also indicated. producer wells are required.

Reservoir Characterization1-10. Table 1 summarizes the Reservoir/well flow modeling1,4,6,10-18. Table 2 summarizes
applications under consideration including reported work, with the applications under consideration including reported work,
indications of the measurements involved, and the character of with indications of the measurements involved, and the
the estimation (qualitative or quantitative). character of the estimation (qualitative or quantitative).
Estimation of drainage area parameters1-4. Parameters Estimation of multiphase flow rates11-13. The estimation of
such as, average pressure, skin factor, average permeability, multiphase flow rates in based in the principle that the
and distance to drainage area limits could be obtained by temperature profiles along the wells are influenced by the
solving an optimization problem. The cited problem is to find multiphase flow rates. Hence, assisted by a well thermal
the parameters of a selected drainage area model such that the model, multiphase flow rates could be obtained by finding the
sum of the square of the differences between the observed and set of flow rate values that minimize the square of the
calculated production values is minimized. The calculated difference between the temperature profiles measured and the
values correspond to solutions of the diffusivity equation one obtained using a well thermal model. These applications
subject to proper boundary conditions. These applications allow: i) continuous estimation of well flow rates, ii)
have the potential to: i) estimate reservoir parameters without estimations of well flow rates from different reservoirs, and
deferred production, and ii) reduce the uncertainty in reservoir iii) validation of flow rate measurements at the wellhead.
model parameters. Downhole pressure and flow rate Using the same principle it is also possible to identify flow
measurements are required. behind the casing, crossflow, and gas and water coning.
Estimation of the geothermal gradient5. It is obtained Temperature measurements along the well are required.
averaging the temperature profiles of a set of wells that have Detection of preferred injection zones10. The qualitative
been closed long enough so that thermal equilibrium has been identification of preferred injection zones could be achieved
reached between the fluids at the wells and those in the analyzing the heating (cooling) rate of the fluids in the well.
formation. The geothermal gradient estimation provides a It is expected that after the well is closed, an injected fluid
reference temperature profile, and initial and boundary such as water (vapor) increase (decrease) its temperature until
conditions of reservoir and well models. The temperature pro- it reaches the temperature corresponding to the geothermal
files along the wells are required. gradient. Injection zones that have received greater volumes of
Estimation of water influx model parameters2,6. These water (vapor) with respect to others will exhibit a lower
para-meters could be obtained finding the set of values that heating (cooling) rate. Temperature measurements along the
mini-mize the sum of the square of the differences between the well are required.
water influxs calculated from an aquifer model and those Detection of water injection problems14,15. Some problems
obtained from material balance considerations. Measurements during the water injection process associated with unexpected
of flowing bottomhole pressure, and multiphase flow rates changes of the injectivity index (high permeability channels,
reduce the uncertainty in the calculation of the pressure drops plugging of productive zones) can be detected by monitoring
at the oil water contact and of the water influx. These the pressure at the completed zones. Changes in the injectivity
applications lead to better estimations of water saturation in index of a given zone can be obtained using a well flow model
the reservoir, and forecasts of water influx under alternative by finding the injectivity index that will calculate a pressure at
operational con-ditions. the zone that minimize the square of the difference between
Acquisition of well test data7,8. The availability of the observed and calculated values. Pressure measurements are
permanent downhole pressure sensors allows for the remote required at the injection zones.
execution of Buildup tests, and the reduction of deferred Calibration of well and reservoir models1,4,6,16,17. Model
production and operational costs. parameters at the reservoir (e.g. relative permeability curves,
Validation of Buildup test data9. These applications are skin factors, porosity) and well level (e.g. heat transfer
based on the fact that during Buildup tests, the transient coefficients) could be better estimated (calibration) if
bottomhole pressure and temperature responses are qualita- multiphase flow rates, and bottomhole pressure and
tively similar (both processes are modeled by the diffusivity temperature profile measurements are available. A better
equation). This result in some degree of redundancy in the estimation of the well and reservoir model parameters
improves their prediction capabilities.
 APPLICATIONS OF PERMANENT DOWNHOLE PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE, AND FLOW RATE MEASUREMENTS FOR
SPE 77897 RESERVOIR DESCRIPTION AND PRODUCTION OPTIMIZATION: A TAXONOMY, PROCESSES, AND BENEFITS 3

Pressure drop calculations in producer and injector and rate measurements, designing plans for the development
wells18. Pressure drop calculations are critical for estimating or acquisition of applications, and establishing the knowledge
the lifting capabilities of producer wells and the required requirements in the context of training programs.
pressure at the wellhead in injector wells. In general, these
calculations may involve the numerical solution of the Acknowledgements
pressure gradient and the energy equations. Having available The authors would like to thank Petróleos de Venezuela
temperature measure-ments along the well will simplify the (PDVSA) Production Excellence Center and AIT Western
pressure drop calculation since only the pressure gradient Division for their support and permission to publish this paper.
equation may need to be solved. Multiphase flow
measurements and bottomhole pressure measurements will References
reduce the uncertainty in the pressure and temperature 1. Athichanagorn, S., Horne, R.N. and Kikani, J. “Processing
estimations along the well. and Interpretation of Long-Term Data from Permanent
Downhole Pressure Gauges”. Paper SPE 56419, presented
Process monitoring10,19-21. Table 3 summarizes the applica- at the 1999 Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition,
tions under consideration including reported work, with indi- held in Houston, U.S.A., October 1999, pp. 1-16.
cations of the measurements involved, and the character of the 2. Shepherd, C.E., Neve, P. and Wilson, D.C. “Use and
estimation (qualitative or quantitative). Application of Permanent Downhole Pressure Gauges in
Monitoring of injection valves in artificial gas lift the Balmoral Field and Satellite Structures”. SPE 20831
processes10,19. In general, the injection of gas through valves Production Engineering, August 1991, pp. 271-276.
results in a temperature drop of the fluids in the well, 3. Tibold, M., Simonian, S., Chawla, M. And Akbar M. “Well
consequence of the cooling of the expanded gas (Joule- Testing with a Permanent Monitoring System”. Paper SPE
Thompson). The degree of cooling depends, among other 63079, presented at the 2000 SPE Annual Technical
factors, of the temperature and pressure of the incoming gas Conference and Exhibition, held in Dallas, U.S.A., October
and fluids in the well, gas composition, and the mass flow 2000, pp. 1-9.
rates of the transported fluids. For example, for natural gas, a 4. Unneland, T., Manin, Y. and Kuchuk, F. “Permanent Gauge
pressure drop of 100 psi will result in a temperature drop Pressure and Rate Measurements for Reservoir Description
between 1.6 y 3.3 °C. Hence, malfunctioning injection valves and Well Monitoring: Field Cases”. Paper SPE 38658,
can be quickly identified through deviations of characteristic presented at the 1997 Annual Technical Conference and
temperature profiles along the wells. Temperature Exhibition, held in San Antonio, U.S.A., October 1997, pp.
measurements along the wells are required. 171-178.
Monitoring of electrical submersible pumps (ESP)20,21. 5. Petricola, M.F. and Watfa, M. “Multiwell Application of
Flowing bottomhole pressure and temperature measurements Downhole Temperature Profiles for Crossflow Analysis”.
below the ESP could lead to early detection of operational Paper SPE 25630, presented at the SPE Middle East Oil
conditions outside of those recommended by the manufacturer, Technical Conference and Exhibition, held in Bahrain,
a reduction of time between failures, and deferred production. April 1993, pp. 295-303.
Monitoring of cementing processes. The setting of the 6. Buchwalter, J.L., Calvert, R., McKay, C. and Thompson, S.
cement is characterized by an exothermic reaction with heat “Maximizing Profitability in Reservoirs Using New
transfer to the fluids in the well. As a result, an area where the Technologies for Continous Downhole Pressure Systems”.
cement setting has occurred is associated with a temperature Paper SPE 63281, presented at the 2000 SPE Annual
incre-ment, not present in those with poor cementation. Technical Conference and Exhibition, held in Dallas,
Temperature measurements along the wells are required. U.S.A., October 2000, pp. 1-10.
7. Horne, R.N., “Modern Well Test Analysis”. Second
Conclusions and recommendations Edition. Copyright 2000, pp. 257.
This paper presents a: i) summary and classification of 8. Matthews, C.S., and Russell, D. G., “Pressure Buildup and
downhole and flow rate measurements applications, ii) a Flow Tests in Wells”, SPE monograph series. 1967,
discussion of their benefits for reservoir description and pp. 167.
production optimization, and iii) the models and processes 9. Jones, C. “The Use of Bottomhole Temperature Variations
required to obtain those benefits. in Production Testings”. Paper SPE 18381, presented at the
The above-referenced applications are classified in three SPE European Petroleum Conference, held in London,
main areas: reservoir characterization, reservoir/well flow U.K., October 1988, pp. 423-431.
modeling, and process monitoring. The discussion of each 10. Laurence, O. S. and Brown, G. A. “Using Real-Time Fibre
application includes: benefits, previously reported work, Optic Distributed Temperature Data for Optimizing
required measurements and other relevant data, and a general Reservoir Performance”. Paper SPE – PS of CIM 65478,
description of the necessary models and processes. presented at the SPE/Petroleum Society of CIM
The paper is expected to be useful assessing the possible International Conference on Horizontal Well Technology,
impact of investments (business cases) in permanent downhole held in Calgary, Canada, November 2000, pp. 1-11.
4 N. QUEIPO, A. VERDE, J. GOICOCHEA, D. ROMERO, A. ZAMBRANO AND A. BRACHO SPE 77897

11. Hasan, A.R. and Kabir, C.S. “Heat Transfer During Two- 17. Unneland, T. and Haugland, T. “Permanent Downhole
Phase Flow in Wellbores: Part I – Formation Gauges Used in Reservoir Management of Complex North
Temperature”. Paper SPE 22866, presented at the 66th Sea Oil Fields”. Paper 26781, presented at the SPE
Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition of the SPE, Offshore Europe Conference held in Aberdeen, August
held in Dallas, U.S.A., October 1991a, pp. 469-478. 1994, pp. 195-203.
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Phase Flow in Wellbores: Part II – Wellbore Fluid in SAGD Production Wells”. Journal of Canadian
Temperature”. Paper SPE 22948, presented at the 66th Petroleum Technology, January 2000, Vol. 39, No. 1,
Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition of the SPE, pp. 18-29.
held in Dallas, U.S.A., October 1991b, pp. 695-708. 19. Steffensen, R.J. and Smith, R.C. “The Importance of Joule-
13. Ramey, H. J. “Wellbore Heat Transmission”. Paper SPE Thomson Heating (or Cooling) in Temperature Log
96, Journal of Petroleum Technology, April 1962, Interpretation”. Paper SPE 4636, presented at the 48th
pp. 427-435. Annual Fall Meeting of the Society of Petroleum
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Treatment". Paper SPE 15138, presented at the SPE
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pp. 263-272. for Production Optimization and Reservoir Management”.
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pp. 479-491. “Experience with Permanent Downhole Pressure-
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 APPLICATIONS OF PERMANENT DOWNHOLE PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE, AND FLOW RATE MEASUREMENTS FOR
SPE 77897 RESERVOIR DESCRIPTION AND PRODUCTION OPTIMIZATION: A TAXONOMY, PROCESSES, AND BENEFITS 5

TABLE 1 – APPLICATIONS OF PERMANENT DOWNHOLE PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE, AND

FLOW RATE MEASUREMENTS FOR RESERVOIR CHARACTERIZATION
Application References Type Measurements

Estimation of drainage area Athichanagorn et al. (1999) Quantitative Pressure

parameters Shepherd et al. (1991) Flow rates
Tibold et al. (2000)
Unneland et al. (1997)

Estimation of the Petricola and Watfa (1993) Quantitative Temperature

geothermal gradient profile

Estimation of water influx Shepherd et al. (1991) Quantitative Pressure

model parameters Buchwalter et al. (2000) Flow rates

Acquisition of well test data Horne (2000) Quantitative Pressure

Matthews and Russell (1967)

Validation of Buildup test Jones (1988) Qualitative Pressure

data Temperature

Estimating permeability
between injector and Laurence and Brown, 2000 Quantitative Temperature
producer wells

TABLE 2 – APPLICATIONS OF PERMANENT DOWNHOLE PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE, AND

FLOW RATE MEASUREMENTS FOR RESERVOIR/WELL FLUID MODELING
Application References Type Measurements

Estimation of multiphase Hasan and Kabir (1991a) Quantitative Temperature

flow rates Hasan and Kabir (1991b) profile
Ramey (1962)

Detection of preferred Laurence and Brown (2000) Qualitative Temperature

injection zones profile

Detection of water injection Hasan and Kabir (1986a) Qualitative Pressure

problems Hasan and Kabir (1986b)

Calibration of well and Athichanagorn et al. (1999) Quantitative Pressure

reservoir models Unneland et al. (1997) Temperature
Buchwalter et al. (2000) profile
Queipo et al. (2000) Flow rates
Unneland et al. (1994)

Pressure drop calculations Quantitative Pressure

in producer and injector Butler et al. (2000) Temperature
wells profile
Flow rates
6 N. QUEIPO, A. VERDE, J. GOICOCHEA, D. ROMERO, A. ZAMBRANO AND A. BRACHO SPE 77897

TABLE 3 – APPLICATIONS OF PERMANENT DOWNHOLE PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE, AND

FLOW RATE MEASUREMENTS FOR PROCESS MONITORING
Application References Type Measurements

Monitoring of injection Laurence and Brown (2000) Qualitative Temperature

valves in artificial gas lift Steffensen and Smith (1973) profile
processes

Monitoring of electrical Chalatumyk and Moffatt (1995) Qualitative Pressure

submersible pumps (ESP) Gallivan et al. (1988) Temperature

Monitoring of cementing -------------------------------------- Qualitative Temperature

processes profile