SPE 62920

WELL TEST ANALYSIS

IN GAS-CONDENSATE RESERVOIRS

by
A. C. Gringarten, A. Al-Lamki, S. Daungkaew
Centre for Petroleum Studies
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine

R. Mott, AEA and T. M. Whittle, Baker Hughes

SPE Annual Technical Conference

SPE 62920 and Exhibition,
Well test analysis Dallas, 1-4
in gas-condensate October 2000
reservoirs
 Outline
! Statement of the Problem
! Simulation studies
! Two vs. three region composite
! Wellbore dynamics
! Reservoir effects
! Conclusions

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

 Statement of the problem

! Condensate drop-out reduce productivity

(condensate blockage).

! High capillary number increase gas relative

permeability, thus compensating for
condensate blockage.

! Is it possible to characterize both from well

testing?

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

 Interpretation Challenges
! Condensate drop-out and capillary number
effects

! Data reliability

! Wellbore dynamics

! Reservoir effects

! Changing behavior
SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs
 Condensate drop-out
0.3

0.25 Condensate,
immobile
0.2
So < Sc
Condensate,
So

0.15 Original So
mobile
0.1

0.05

0
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000

Radial Distance (ft)

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

2-Region composite behavior
Gas with initial
High condensate Condensate
Saturation (liquid drop-out) saturation
µ)1, (φµ
(kh/µ φµc
φµ th)1 µ)2, (φµ
(kh/µ φµc
φµ th)2

r1

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

 2-Region composite behavior
mn(p) change and derivative (psi)

103

102 High condensate

saturation (liquid drop-out)

10

Gas with initial

condensate saturation
1
10-4 10-3 10-2 10-1 1 10 102
Elapsed time (hours)
SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs
 Capillarity number effect
0.3
µν/σ
µν/σ
without Nc =µν 0.1day
0.25 1day
100days 10days
0.2
100days
So

0.15
0.1day
0.1

0.05

0
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000

Radial Distance (ft)

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

 Capillarity number effect
0.3
µν/σ
µν/σ
without Nc =µν 0.1day
0.25 1day
100days 10days
0.2
100days
So

0.15
0.1day
0.1
with Nc 100
0.05

0 0.1
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000

Radial Distance (ft)

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

 Capillarity number effect
1
Relative Permeability, krg

0.1day

0.94

0.88 0.1day
1day
10days
with Nc 100days 100days
0.82
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000

Radial Distance (ft)

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

 Capillarity number effect
1
0.9
0.8
Lean gas
0.7
0.6
krg

0.5
0.4 Rich gas
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000
Radial Distance (ft)

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

3-Region composite behavior
Gas with initial
High condensate Condensate
Saturation (liquid drop-out) saturation
µ)2, (φµ
(kh/µ φµc
φµ th)2 µ)3, (φµ
(kh/µ φµc
φµ th)3

r2

r1

Gas with lower

condensate
saturation (stripping)
µ)1, (φµ
(kh/µ φµc
φµ th)1

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

 3-Region composite behavior
mn(p) change and derivative (psi)
103

102 High condensate

saturation (liquid drop-out)

Gas with lower condensate

10 saturation (stripping)
Gas with initial
condensate saturation

1
10-3 10-2 10-1 1 10 102 103
Elapsed time (hours)
SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs
3-Region composite behavior ?
mn(p) change and derivative (psi)

Germany
C1=87
Croatia kh=100 mD.ft
C1=70.37
kh=1200mD.ft

North Sea
C1=72.92
kh=160 mD.ft
Algeria
C1=72.92
kh =2000 mD.ft

Elapsed time (hours)

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs
 3-Region composite behavior ?
mn(p) change and derivative (psi)

104

103 3-Region composite:

r1= 33 ft; (kh/µ φµc
µ)1/2=2.7 ; (φµ
φµ t)1/2=1.9
µ)2/3=0.32; (φµ
r2=322 ft; (kh/µ φµc
φµ t)2/3=0.33

102

North Sea 2-Region composite:

C1=72.92
kh=160 mD.ft µ)1/2=0.24; (φµ
r1=365 ft; (kh/µ φµc
φµ t)1/2=0.32
10
10-2 10-1 1 10 102 103
Elapsed time (hours)
SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs
 Interpretation Challenges
" Condensate drop-out and capillary number
effects

! Data reliability

! Wellbore dynamics

! Reservoir effects

! Changing behavior
SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs
 Data reliability
L o g- Lo g R ate Valida tion - F low Pe rio d 23 Pressure History

10 0 00 3200 500000

Before rate history changes 3100

After rate history changes
10 00
3000
400000
Rate Norm alis ed n m(p) Ch ang e an d De riva tiv e (ps i)

2900

1 00
2800
300000

Gas Rate (Mscf/D)

Pressure (psia)
2700

10

6 months 2600

200000

1
after acid After 2500

2400

acid 2300
100000

0.1

2200

Before acid 2100 0

0.01 172000 173000 174000 175000 176000 177000 178000
0.0 01 0.01 0.1 1 10 1 00 10 00 Elapsed time (hrs)
El ap sed t im e ( hrs)

L o g- Lo g R ate Valida tion - F low Pe rio d 23 L o g- Lo g R ate V a lida tion - F low Pe rio d 2 9

10 00 10 0 00

After rate history changes (build-up’s) After rate history changes (rates)
1 00 10 00
Rate Norm alis ed nm (p) Ch ange and Deriva tiv e (k gf/c m 2)

Rate Norm alis ed n m(p) Ch ang e an d De riva tiv e (ps i)

10 1 00

1 10

0.1 1

0.01 0.1

0.0 01 0.01
0.0 01 0. 01 0.1 1 10 1 00 10 00 0.0 01 0.01 0.1 1 10 1 00 10 00
Elap sed tim e ( hrs ) El ap sed t im e ( hrs)

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

 Interpretation Challenges
" Condensate drop-out and capillary number
effects

" Data reliability

! Wellbore dynamics

! Reservoir effects

! Changing behavior
SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs
 Wellbore phase redistribution
104
C = cwVw ρ/144)g/gc]
Vu/[(ρ
Normalized Pseudo-Pressure

time time time

103
Derivative ( psi)

(1)

(2) Radial Flow

102 Stabilization
(3)

(4)
10
Reinjection of (5)
condensate cushion

1
10-3 10-2 10-1 1 10 102 103
Elapsed time, ∆t ( hours)
SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs
Rate normalized pressure change and derivative (kPa)
Oil well with water
104

Drawdown
103

Build-up

Radial Flow Stabilization

102

10
10-3 10-3 10-2 10-1 1 10 102
Elapsed time (hours)

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

 Gas well with water
4000 Flow Periods: 40000
(1) (2) (3) (4) (9) (11) (12) (14) (15)

30000

Flow Rate (Mscf/D)

3000
Pressure (psia)

20000

2000
10000

1000 0
20 40 60 80 100
Time from the start of the test (hours)

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

Rate normalized mn(p) change and derivative (psi) Wellbore phase redistribution
104 Flow
Period
Type Current (Drawdown) or
Previous (Build-up) Rate
7 Dd 20,000 Mscf/D
9 Dd 28,000
2 Dd 31,400
11 Dd 32,600
15 Dd 13,000
4 Bu 31,400
103

4 (Bu)
15
9
102 11

2 (Dd)
Radial flow
stabilization

10 -3
10 10-2 10-1 1 10 102
Elapsed time (hours)

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

 Wellbore phase redistribution
103
Rate normalized mn(p) change
and derivative (psi)

102 FP 15
(DD 47 MScf/D)

FP 17
(DD 57.5 MScf/D)
FP 14
10 (DD 38 MScf/D)

FP 7
(DD 45 MScf/D) North Sea
1
10-3 10-2 10-1 1 10 102 103
Elapsed time (hours)
SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs
Wellbore phase redistribution ?
Rate normalized mn(p) change

103
and derivative (psi)

102 FP 21 BU
(DD 38 MScf/D) FP 8 BU
(DD 45 MScf/D)

FP 17
(DD 57.5 MScf/D)
FP 18
10 BU (DD 57.5 MScf/D)

North Sea
1
10-3 10-2 10-1 1 10 102 103
Elapsed time (hours)
SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs
Wellbore phase redistribution ?
Rate normalized mn(p) change

103
FP 17
(DD 57.5 MScf/D)
and derivative (psi)

102 High condensate

Saturation (liquid drop-out)

?
Gas with lower Gas with initial
10 condensate Condensate
saturation (stripping) Saturation

North Sea
1
10-3 10-2 10-1 1 10 102 103
Elapsed time (hours)
SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs
Wellbore phase redistribution ?
Rate normalized mn(p) change

103
FP 17
(DD 57.5 MScf/D)
and derivative (psi)

Increasing wellbore
102 storage
(3) (2)
(1)

10 No wellbore
storage
Constant wellbore
storage North Sea
1
10-3 10-2 10-1 1 10 102 103
Elapsed time (hours)
SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs
 Interpretation Challenges
" Condensate drop-out and capillary number
effects

" Data reliability

" Wellbore dynamics

! Reservoir effects

! Changing behavior
SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs
 Reservoir dominated behavior
104
Rate normalized mn(p) change

Multilayered
and derivative (psi)

103

102
North Sea

Algeria
10
10-2 10-1 1 10 102 103
Elapsed time (hours)
SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs
Multilayer dominated behavior

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

 Multilayer dominated behavior
Log-Log Rate Validation Horner Analysis
1600
Rate Normalised nm(p) Change and Derivative (psi)

1000

FP 19
Flow Period 19
1500

Normalised Pseudo Pressure (psia)

100
FP 22
Flow Period 22
1400
FP 26
10
Flow Period 26
1300

1
1200

0.1
1100

0.01 1000
0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 120000 160000 200000 240000 280000

Elapsed time (hrs) Superposition Function (Mscf/D)

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

 Multilayer dominated behavior
Log-Log Match - Flow Period 19
1000

100
nm(p) Change and Derivative (psi)

Stabilisation level for condensate

10

Stabilisation level from cores Composite, infinite reservoir

0.1

Composite, closed reservoir

0.01
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000
Elapsed time (hrs)

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

 Multilayer dominated behavior
Horner Match - Flow Period 19
1600

1500
Normalised Pseudo Pressure (psia)

1400

1300

1200

1100
160000 170000 180000 190000 200000 210000 220000 230000 240000
Superposition Function (Mscf/D)

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

 Multilayer dominated behavior
Simulation (Variable Skin) - Flow Period 19
3100

3000

2900

2800

2700
Pressure (psia)

2600

2500

2400

2300

2200

2100

2000

1900
140000 141000 142000 143000 144000 145000 146000 147000

Elapsed time (hrs)

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

 Interpretation Challenges
" Condensate drop-out and capillary number
effects

" Data reliability

" Wellbore dynamics

" Reservoir effects

! Changing behavior
SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs
 Changing behavior
103
Rate normalized mn(p) change
and derivative (psi)

102

5.5 11.2
4.5 3.6
10
2.6
1.6

1 year
1

10-1
10-3 10-2 10-1 1 10 102 103
Elapsed time (hours)
SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs
 Conclusions
!Preliminary results:
# It seems possible to identify high capillary number
effects and changes in condensate behavior
# Interpretation challenge: distinguishing condensate
effects from wellbore dynamics and reservoir
behavior
# Interpretation constraints: lack of reliable historical
data (rate history, drawdowns,…)

!Project will investigate many different

reservoirs with various characteristics (kh,
richness,…)

SPE 62920 Well test analysis in gas-condensate reservoirs

 SPE 62920

WELL TEST ANALYSIS

IN GAS-CONDENSATE RESERVOIRS

by
A. C. Gringarten, A. Al-Lamki, S. Daungkaew
Centre for Petroleum Studies
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine

R. Mott, AEA and T. M. Whittle, Baker Hughes

SPE Annual Technical Conference

SPE 62920 and Exhibition,
Well test analysis Dallas, 1-4
in gas-condensate October 2000
reservoirs