SPE-182587-MS

The Application of Multi-Sensor Production Logging and Spectral Noise

Logging Tools in Optimising Water Shut-off in a Carbonate Environment

Muratbek Aibazarov, Ainagul Khassanova, Peter Hutson, Cesare Dattaro, Tamer Saada, and Alberto Brancolini,
KPO; Sergey Matveev, TGT Oilfield Services

Copyright 2016, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Annual Caspian Technical Conference & Exhibition held in Astana, Kazakhstan, 1-3 November 2016.

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
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any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written
consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may
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Abstract
Since 2003, almost all the development wells drilled in the Karachaganak field have been horizontal wells.
Initially, the wells were completed open-hole, but since 2011 all new wells have been completed with
multiple swelling packers and ball activated stimulation sleeves to facilitate selective stimulation.
Despite optimising the stand-off from the oil water contact and the poor reservoir quality of the aquifer,
several wells have started producing formation water.
With limited water handling capacity at the surface facilities, formation water production is a threat to
hydrocarbon production. Wells that produce water are either choked back or shut-in. Accurate detection of
the water entry point and understanding how water migrates from the aquifer into the wellbore are therefore
critical in developing effective water shut off strategy. Recent experience has shown that conventional
production logging tool (PLT) technology is an ineffective at evaluating either of these aspects.
This paper describes how integrating data from Multi-Sensor Production Logging and Spectral Noise
Loggig tools has been used to determine the downhole fluid flow path in a gas condensate reservoir and
subsequently optimize water shut-off operations. The early results of this new approach will be presented.

Introduction
The Karachaganak field is a giant oil and gas condensate field situated in in the northwestern region of
Kazakhstan, with an areal extent of 450 sq km. The field is operated by the Karachaganak Petroleum
Operating business venture (KPO).
Karachaganak is a carbonate reservoir with high degree of heterogeneity. The age ranges from Late
Devonian to Early Permian, but the main reservoir is the Permian and Carboniferous (limestone and
dolomitised limestone) formations.
The reservoir contains a complex fluid system where the hydrocarbon composition varies significantly
with depth, ranging from rich gas condensate at the structural top of the reservoir to extremely rich and
volatile oil at the bottom. At its largest point the reservoir contains a gas condensate column 1,450 meters
deep with a 200 metre oil rim.
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All the horizontal wells are designed to maximize oil recovery from the oil rim, with the producing zones
being located between the Gas Oil Contact and Water Oil Contact with a stand-off between 50 and 85 metres.
For eight years all horizontal wells were open hole, with associated limited opportunities for effective
stimulation. From 2011, KPO started to complete all horizontal wells with multiple swelling packers and
ball activated stimulation sleeves for selective stimulation and improved reservoir management.
Due to the low reservoir quality below the water oil contact and a limited connected volume, the
Karachaganak aquifer is considered inactive and was anticipated to have a negligible impact upon the
development and depletion strategy of the reservoir. The surface facilities were consequently designed to
handle only a limited volume of water.
Despite the aquifer being inactive, some horizontal wells have started to produce formation water and
the number of such wells has gradually increased. The mechanism by which water enters the wellbore is
believed to be through high permeability streaks or most likely fractures.
An effective water shut-off strategy is now a key element of the Karachaganak reservoir management
plan. The accurate detection of water ingress points and the identification of wellbore and near wellbore
phase flow profiles are critical in achieving successful water shut-off.
This paper will discuss a field example of the utilisation of conventional diagnostic tools and will show
how such an approach resulted in disappointing water shut-off results, prompting the migration to Multi-
Sensor Production Logging and Spectral Noise Logging tools. The development of a technically robust
model of well behaviour, on a well by well basis is known to be essential in the development of a water
shut-off strategy. The individual and mutually supporting benefits of running both of these new tools as part
of an integrated data acquisition strategy that feeds into the well model will be discussed and presented. A
case history of one horizontal well where a water shut off operation has recently performed, based on this
new approach will be presented.

Conventional Diagnostic tool

Conventional PLT has been deployed in Karachaganak for many years (see Figure 1). PLT's were historically
undertaken to identify the inflow or injection profile in new wells and to evaluate post intervention
performance (workover, equipment replacement, isolation work and acid treatment). PLT strings have
typically been conveyed using slick line in vertical wells and coiled tubing when the deviation of the zone
of interest is too great to reach on wire.

Figure 1—PLT string diagram

SPE-182587-MS 3

Centralized sensors function properly in vertical wells where the mixed flow of oil, gas and water has
a smooth velocity. Conventional centralized tools are known to give poor results in multi-phase flow in
deviated or horizontal wells. The characteristics and complexity of multi-phase fluid flow is completely
different in deviated wells. Due to buoyancy, all wellbore fluids segregate based on density. Differing phase
velocities, further complicates the interpretation.
Figure 2 illustrates how the velocity and hold up profile is dependent on well inclination. When deviated,
conventional PLTs with sensors located either in the middle of the well (if there are centralizers) or at the
bottom of the well are unable to deliver representative results, leading to poor decisions.

Figure 2—Flow regime variation with inclination.

Case History of the Conventional PLT Approach – Well MP 10

Well MP 10 is a newly drilled single branch horizontal well in the oil rim. The well was completed in 6"
open hole across 9 intervals separated by OBM activated swell packers and nine Rapid Shift Sleeves (RSS)
with baffles. A multistage selective acid treatment was performed on each zone based on petrophysical and
geomechanical properties. The well completion diagram and type of acid treatment performed on each zone
as shown on the Figure 3.

Figure 3—Multistage horizontal completion and stimulation strategy schematic

4 SPE-182587-MS

Following the well stimulation, a commingled clean-up and test of all zones was performed. The well is
characterised as an excellent producer with an oil productivity of 17 sm3/day/bar (see Table 1 for additional
information). Water production was observed during the clean-up, stabilising at 20%. Chemical analysis of
the water confirmed it to be formation water.

Table 1—Well MP 10 clean up test results

GOR PI oil
Well Q gas km3/d Q oil sm3/d WC %
m3/m3 m3/d/b

MP 10 292 786 371 17 20

Due to the high water cut, well MP 10 could not be put on production. In order to identify the well flow
profile and locate the entry point of the water, a conventional PLT conveyed on coil tubing was performed.
Based on logging data analysis, the source of the water was determined as RSS4 and RSS1, the toe of the
well (RSI) was found to be non-productive (see Figure 4).

Figure 4—Results from Conventional PLT and subsequent water shut-off

SPE-182587-MS 5

Based on the PLT results, the decision was taken to close perform a mechanical water shut-off by
closing RSS4. RSS4 was selected due to its high water contribution and corresponding low oil contribution.
Furthermore the sleeve could be reopened easily at a later date if deemed necessary. The sleeve was closed
using a downhole tractor with a shifting tool. After closing the sleeve, subsequent testing indicated that
there was no change in either the water or oil production. It was hypothesized that RSS4 might be leaking
and hence a further attempt at a mechanical water shut-off was attempted by setting a composite bridge
plug above RSS1 (see Figure 4). The well water cut remained the same, but a drop in oil productivity
was observed. Mechanical water shut-off was considered a failure, most likely due to a combination of
inaccurately detecting the water ingress point and complex near wellbore fluid movement.

Dedicated Diagnostic Tools for Horizontal Wells

Due to the complex flow regime in horizontal wells, conventional PLT technology has failed to accurately
detect the point of water entry in KPO wells. Furthermore, to maximise the chance of a successful water
shut-off operation, it is crucial to understand the near wellbore fluid movement profile. The following factors
need to be considered when implementing a water shut-off strategy:
1. Reservoir fluid source: Due to the nature of the reservoir, the source of the fluid entering a well may
not correspond to the location of the producing RSS. Field heterogeneity and fractures can result in
unexpected flow paths into the wellbore; and
2. Unless located close to a reservoir barrier, swell packers only provide a localized impediment to flow,
it is therefore essential to determine if fluid is bypassing the swell packers.
To address these limitations, Multi-Sensor Production Logging and Spectral Noise Logging tools were
mobilised.

Multi-sensor Production Logging

Multi-Sensor Production Logging is the combination of resistivity, capacitance and spinner tools that can
be run individually or in combination to solve multiphase flow regime problems in deviated and horizontal
wells. As indicated in the Figure 5, these tools have multiple miniature sensors that are mounted inside a set
of collapsible bowsprings. The geometry of the tool facilitates the capture of stratified layers of different
phases in a deviation of borehole.

Figure 5—Multi-Sensor Production Logging tools

The spinner tool comprises 6 spinners spacing around the circumference of the borehole, enabling discrete
local fluid velocities measured around the wellbore (see Figure 6). The capacitance and resistivity tools
6 SPE-182587-MS

consist of 12 sensors also spaced around the circumference of the borehole. Capacitance measures the
capacitance of surrounding fluid to identify phase type, whereas resistivity determines water hold-up across
the whole wellbore (see Figure 6). The data combination from all these tools makes it possible to provide
quantitative estimates of the volumetric flow rate of each phase with a much higher degree of certainty and
thus provide vital information for reservoir management and water shut-off.

Figure 6—Cross section of Multi-Sensor Production Logging tools

Spectral Noise Logging

The Spectral Noise Logging is a technique for near reservoir flow analysis and leak detection in downhole
completions. It is designed to record acoustic sound in a wide frequency range. The key component of the
Spectral Noise Logging tool is a high-sensitivity piezoelectric hydrophone, placed in an oil-filled chamber
as illustrated (see Figure7).

Figure 7—Spectral Noise Logging tool sketch

Acoustic noise can be generated in a well by fluid or gas flow through a reservoir or leaks in completion
components. This noise comes from both the fluid itself and vibrating elements streamlined by fluid flow.
The fluid noise is the result of internal friction and is normally audible in high-speed turbulent flows.
Reservoir noise is a result of rock grain vibrations induced by fluid flow. The reservoir noise spectrum
depends only on reservoir structure, while the volume of noise is a function of fluid type and pressure
gradient.
SPE-182587-MS 7

A visual analysis of the noise spectrum may suggest the origin and character of the flow. Large features
such as completion elements produce low-frequency noise above 1,000 HZ, while small ones, such as
reservoir grains, produce higher-frequency noise above 10,000 HZ, Figure 8. Reservoir fracture and cement
channelling flow normally fall in the mid-range, and gas percolation may generate ultrasonic noise.

Figure 8—Summary Spectral Noise Logging range

In most cases the Spectral Noise Logging is run in combination with a High Precision Temperature sensor.
Temperature logging conducted throughout the wellbore is one of the most informative well surveying
techniques widely used for qualitative analysis of processes in wells and reservoirs. But quantitative analysis
has become possible by utilizing special numerical software designed to determine well and reservoir
performance. Software numerically solves the problems of flow hydrodynamics and heat exchange between
the wellbore fluid, completion components, surrounding anisotropic rocks and reservoirs. It can flexibly
tune a multi-parameter thermos-hydrodynamic model to match simulated and measured temperatures.
Spectral Noise Logging data is used to locate active flow units, which in turn is used as an input for
temperature software to start a matching procedure. The integration of temperature simulation and Spectral
Noise Logging provides a unique technique for volumetric assessment of near wellbore flow profiles.
In summary, Multi-Sensor Production Logging enables the accurate determination of the wellbore phase
flow profile in horizontal wells. This information is complemented by spectral noise and temperature
logging technology that can determine the near wellbore fluid flow profile, with specific emphases on the
reservoir source of produced fluids and movement around swell packers. Combining the two data streams
enables the construction of a comprehensive fluid movement model. This model is a fundamental building
block of a successful water shut-off strategy.

Case history using Multi-Sensor Production Logging and Spectral Noise

Logging Technology - Well MP 19
Well MP 19 was drilled as a single horizontal drain targeting the oil rim. The well was completed in 6" open
hole, with 9 Rapid Shift Sleeves (RSS) and one Rapid Stimulation Initiator (RSI) (see Figure 9).
8 SPE-182587-MS

Figure 9—Multistage horizontal Completion and stimulation strategy schematic.

The well is characterized as a good oil producer with average oil productivity of 11 m3/d/bar. The
well starting cutting water immediately after it was placed on production and subsequent production tests
confirmed the water cut to be ≈25%, (see Table 2).

Table 2—Well MP 19 production test results

GOR PI oil
Well Q gas km3/d Q oil sm3/d WC %
m3/m3 m3/d/b

MP 19 186 435 427 11 25

To reduce well downtime, prompt remedial action was required to isolate the unwanted water. For this
reason, a conventional PLT was run, which indicated that RSS1, RSS2 and the RSI were the source of the
water production. The decision was made the isolate these zones by setting two composite bridge plugs (see
Figure 10). Production testing performed afterwards exhibited that the watercut remained unchanged.
SPE-182587-MS 9

Figure 10—Results from Multi-Sensor Production Logging and Conventional PLT

MP 19 was the second and the latest well where the previous approach to water shut-off was applied. As
per the new strategy, the Multi-Sensor Production Logging and Spectral Noise Logging were performed.
Due to the length of the tool string, both logging operations were conducted separately.
The Multi-Sensor Production Logging string was conveyed using a wireline tractor, the objective being
to accurately identify the water entry point. Conventional PLT tools were also included in the string and
allowed for a direct comparison of the two technologies.
Tools were operated in surface read out mode, hence it was possible to monitor the downhole data and
control the quality of data acquiring in real time.
Data was acquired across from RSS3 to RSS9. Multi-Sensor Production Logging data analysis indicates
that RSS3 is the main source of formation water production, with approximately 20% of the well oil potential
associated with the water inflow.
Analysis of the conventional PLT data yielded a very different flow profile, with water material volumes
of water entering as RSS3, RSS4 and RSS7. Critically, the water producing zones also accounted for 50%
of the well oil potential. A water shut-off strategy predicated on the conventional PLT data would have
required the isolation of all zones below RSS8 and the loss of 50% of the oil potential from the well. Even
if 100% successful, such an operation would have resulted in a non-viable well. The most prudent forward
plan would therefore have been to pursue a side-track.
10 SPE-182587-MS

The Multi-Sensor Production Logging analysis indicated that the primary source of the water was RSS#3.
This supported a hypothesis that the previous attempts at mechanical isolation had been bypassed in the
reservoir and that the well could be recovered if the initial source of the water could be treated. Effective
water shut-off was still therefore a possibility.
This example clearly demonstrates the limitations of conventional PLT technology in horizontal wells,
which can easily lead to poor, or at the very least sub-optimal operational decisions.
Immediately after the Multi-Sensor Production Logging operation, the Spectral Noise Logging and High
Precision Temperature logging runs were performed. The Spectral Noise Logging data was analysed to
locate flow-related features, such as wellbore/near wellbore flow and to determine if flow takes place
through a fracture or a porous reservoir.
The interpretation of the Spectral Noise Logging and High Precision Temperature data (see Figure 11)
resulted in the following conclusions:
1. Packers 3, 6, 7 and 8 are being bypassed in the reservoir. All zones above and including RSS6 are
effectively acting as a single flow unit.
2. The inflow at RSS3 is from a fracture originating from further along the well bore, resulting in
communication with previously isolated zones (RSI, RSS1 and RSS2).

Figure 11—Results from Spectral Noise and Temperaure Logging

SPE-182587-MS 11

The various conclusions of the Multi-Sensor Production Logging and Spectral Noise Logging
interpretation combine to generate a picture of a well suffering from fracture induced water ingress, with the
water source being towards the mechanically isolated toe of the well. Furthermore, and critically, only 20%
of the well oil potential is associated with the water entry point. This is in stark contrast to the conventional
PLT data that showed, multiple water entry points, water breakthrough as far along the well-bore as RSS7
and 50% of the well oil potential associated with the water entry points. Using this data, it would not have
been possible to identify the source of the formation water as the toe of the well. This clearly illustrates the
benefits of Multi-Sensor Production Logging and Spectral Noise Logging technologies when developing a
well and near well-bore flow model and how without this information, effective water shut-off operations
cannot be developed.

Well and Near Wellbore Flow Model

By combining open-hole logs, drilling observations and conventional PLT data it was possible to build
a simplified model of fluid movement around the wellbore. Due to reservoir heterogeneity and fracture
presence, the reservoir and near well-bore flow dynamics in Karachaganak are known to be complex,
consequently it was always understood that this model underrepresented the complexity of the system.
Figure 12 below illustrates the simplified well model. While this model has been historically fit for purpose,
it is insufficient for optimizing water shut-off due to the following weaknesses:
1. Fracture presence is not always detected when performing open-hole logs and it is difficult to establish
in which direction fractures propagate (up, down or away from the well). Near wellbore fracture
direction is critical in establishing which RSS zones are in effective communication
2. While fluid "packer bypassing" has long been suspected, it has not been possible to identify which
packers are being bypassed and consequently what the real well flow units are. Without this
information, it has been necessary to assume the source of any produced fluid is perpendicular to
the RSS.
3. As previously discussed, conventional tools struggle to generate an accurate phase flow profile in
horizontal wells, hence there is considerable, residual uncertainty over where fluid is entering the well.

Figure 12—Initial "Simplified" Well Model

As a result of performing Multi-Sensor Production and Spectral Noise logging runs, it is now possible
to accurately identify, packer bypassing, fluid entry points and fracture flow (including direction of fluid
movement in the fracture within the near wellbore area). Figure 13 below illustrates the three phenomena
that can be built into the well fluid flow model.
12 SPE-182587-MS

Figure 13—Detectable Complex Fluid Behaviour

With this additional information it is now possible to build a flow model that much better captures the
real fluid dynamic around the wellbore, increasing the chance of success of any water shut-off operation.

Case history of water shut-off in MP19 – Post Multi-Sensor Production

Logging and Spectral Noise Logging Acquisition
Using the Multi-Sensor Production Logging and Spectral Noise Logging data it was concluded that the
source of water production in MP19 was fracture flow from previously isolated zones (RSI, RSS1 and
RSS2). Historical mechanical isolation (two plugs) had failed to shut-off the water from these zones and
had funneled the water along the wellbore into RSS3 using the local fracture system. This may have
compromised RSS3 due to relative permeability effects. Using the new well flow model (see Figure 12),
the following course of action was agreed:
1. Mill the existing plugs to restore access to the lower part of the well and the actual reservoir source
of the water.
2. Perform water shut-off by pumping permeability reducing gels into the RSI, RSS1 and RSS2.
3. Contingent gel treatment of RSS3 due to historical funneling of water along the wellbore.
Part 1 and 2 of the above program have been successfully completed. Production testing indicates that
the surface water cut has dropped from 25 to 15%, without a material reduction in oil potential. Due to
operational reasons, gel injection was suspended before injectivity was lost. This is the likely reason for
continued water production. The forward plan is to therefore pump additional gel into RSS2.
While the water was not reduced to zero, this still represents a major step change in the success of water
shut-off in KPO and would not have been possible without the understanding of the well fluid movement
model obtained from the Multi-Sensor Production Logging and Spectral Noise Logging data.

Conclusions
Historical attempts at water shut-off in horizontal wells in Karachaganak have failed. This failure can be
attributed to the construction of an overly simplistic wellbore and near wellbore flow model, predicated
on unreliable conventional PLT data. The deployment of Multi-Sensor Production Logging and Spectral
Noise Logging tools has highlighted the complexity of the near wellbore flow dynamics. The inclusion of
accurate phase profiles and such phenomena as "packer bypassing" and "fracture flow" into the well model
SPE-182587-MS 13

has allowed KPO to develop a well specific water shut-off strategy that maximizes the chance of success.
The new strategy has been applied on well MP19 and has resulted in the well water cut falling from 25%
to 15%. This represents a step change in success for KPO.
Due to the nature of the reservoir, effective water shut-off remains a challenge in KPO and it has yet to be
proven if water cuts can consistently be reduced to acceptable levels (<10%). Despite the forward residual
uncertainty, it is clear Multi-Sensor Production Logging and Spectral Noise Logging technology is a key
element of the forward water shut-off strategy.

Nomenclature
CBP Composite Bridge Plug
RSI Rapid Shift Initiator
RSS Rapid Shift Sleeve
OBM Oil Based Mud
m3/d Cubic meter per day
PLT Production Logging Tool
HZ Hertz

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