Changing the path of mini-DST through an advanced wireline formation testing technique: first application in the Asia Pacific
Mauro Firinu A , Joseph Derrij A and Jack H. Harfoushian BA Eni Australia.
B Schlumberger.
The APPEA Journal 55(2) 478-478 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ14113
Published: 2015
Abstract
As the oil and gas industry moves towards new ventures and remote locations, possibly in more challenging reservoirs and in high-cost, high-risk environments, a cost-effective formation testing method is fundamental to assess new findings and proper decision-making. Despite its ability to provide precise pressure profiles and multiple samples obtained along reservoir sections, wireline formation testing is generally seen as complementary to extensive well test operations.
Determination of reservoir viability with wireline testers is often considered only indicative of reservoir productivity, while testing techniques through straddle packers are perceived as not totally risk free. Information obtained from a well test often depends on the reservoir type. If most of the heterogeneous carbonate reservoir warrants comprehensive testing to evaluate productivity through natural fractures, evaluation of homogeneous sandstone is generally an assessment of matrix permeability.
An advanced formation testing technique was used for the first time in a 12.25-inch bore hole in the Asia Pacific region. An effective mini-DST was carried out by delivering an inflow performance relationship (IPR) consistent with the known production behaviour of the Laminaria Formation in the Kitan oil field in a cost-effective manner compared to the traditional straddle packer technique. In addition, this case study points out that under certain circumstances, mini-DST results from a specific interval of the reservoir can be scaled up to the whole reservoir under investigation, making this technique potentially an alternative to a full well-testing program, when rig costs or environmental constraints often make such a procedure prohibitive.
Mauro Firinu graduated in geology and mining engineering from Royal School G. Asproni – Cagliari (Italy). He has more than 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Mauro served operational geology and petrophysical activities for Eni in several projects in a number of countries (Europe, North and West Africa, Asia and the US) and in different positions (Well Site Geologist, Petrophysicist, Operation Geology and Subsurface Geology Manager). He is the author of several technical papers and was recently awarded for a distinguished contribution to petroleum engineering in formation evaluation by the SPE South Central East Europe region in June 2013. He is currently coordinating the operation geology and petrophysical activities for Eni Australia in Perth. Member: European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE) and Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). |
Joseph Derrij began his career as a field engineer for Schlumberger in formation evaluation (drilling and measurements). He graduated from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 2006, and obtained an MEngSc degree in petroleum engineering from the University of New South Wales. Most recently, he has worked as a petroleum engineer at Eni Australia, supporting operations and development of the Kitan oil field (Timor Sea) and the Blacktip offshore gas and pipeline network, as well as supporting work on exploration prospects in the region. Prior to this, Joseph worked in subsurface developments and production operations on the QCLNG project, developing unconventional resources in southeast Queensland. |
Jack H. Harfoushian is a reservoir engineering advisor for Schlumberger Australia and is based in Perth. He provides data acquisition support and interpretation development for formation testing and sampling, including downhole fluid analysis (DFA), interval pressure transient testing and in situ stress testing. Jack joined Schlumberger in 1989 as a wireline field engineer and has held assignments in Europe, Africa, Australia and the Middle and Far East. |
References
Ayan, C., Corre, P.-Y., Firinu, M., Garcia, G., Kristensen, M.R., O’Keefe, M., Pfeiffer, T., Tevis, C., Zappalorto, L., and Zeybek, M. (2013). New dimensions in wireline formation testing. Oilfield Review 25, 32–41.Daungkaew, S., Harfoushian, J.H., Cheong, B.C., Akinsanmi, O.B., Toulekima, S.B., and Yeo, J.Y.S., 2007—Mini-DST applications for Shell Deepwater Malaysia. SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference, Jakarta, Indonesia, 30 October–1 November, SPE-109279.
Xian, C., Carnegie, C., Al Raisi, M.R., Perticola, M., and Chen, J., 2004—An integrated efficient approach to perform IPTT interpretation. SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Perth, Western Australia, 18–20 October, SPE-88561.
