Real-Time CT Tool Saves 22 Hours of Rig Time During Production Testing Operations, Ecuador

High downhole pressure prompted buildup test and further analysis

The well production evaluation registered an abnormally high downhole pressure. The well was producing 2,050 bbl/d with 100% basic sediment and water, and the ACTive PTC tool's downhole sensors were reading a 2,984-psi [20.6-MPa] downhole flowing pressure. This pressure did not match the estimated reservoir pressure of the zone of interest, which was 1,900 psi [13.1 MPa]. After eight hours of flowing the well, the operator decided to perform a pressure buildup test to further analyze the well. The pressure buildup was registered with the ACTive PTC tool downhole sensors, showing a reservoir pressure of 4,000 psi [27.6 MPa], confirming that the well production was from another formation. Using the fiber optics inside the CT string, distributed temperature sensing (DTS) profiling was performed and identified crossflow between two zones behind the well casing. A remedial cement job was scheduled to resolve the problem.

Crossflow behind casing identified in a matter of hours instead of days

With the conventional method, the operator would have had to evaluate the well for several days while the reservoir pressure dropped and water cut stabilized and would not have been able to confirm the source of the water. Using real-time data at surface, the operator identified the crossflow behind the casing and completed the buildup test and well production evaluation in only 17 hours, saving several days of rig time.