CSG well testing—Santos’ experience in Queensland
Czek Hoong Tan A , Guncel Demircan A and Mathias Satyagraha ASantos Ltd
The APPEA Journal 53(1) 227-244 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ12020
Published: 2013
Abstract
Permeability of the cleat system is a key factor controlling the productivity of CSG reservoirs and, therefore, the commerciality of development projects. Well testing is routinely used to provide representative values of coal permeability. The authors’ experience has shown pressure transient behaviour in coal reservoirs to be similar to those in primary porosity systems, with pseudo radial flow frequently observed, and the dual-porosity signature largely absent. Despite the authors’ best efforts in test design, large permeability variation and extremely high skin factors have been seen. The authors have run variations of drill stem tests (DSTs), injection tests, and wireline tests to understand the dependency of results to test methods, and the validity of results obtained. Pertinent examples of each type of test are discussed. Finally, recommendations to reconcile well test results to actual well performance are presented.
Czek Hoong Tan has nine years of experience in the petroleum industry, most of which was spent working as a reservoir engineer in Malaysia, specialising in gas field development and management. His main interests are in reservoir characterisation and core analysis. At GLNG he is leading reservoir engineering efforts, maturing development options for low permeability coal reservoirs, and evaluating infill drilling potentials. czek.hoong.tan@santos.com |
Guncel Demircan has 11 years of experience as a petroleum/reservoir engineer, focusing on developing cost-effective optimum solutions through technical analysis in synchronisation with business schedules and goals. He worked on integrated reservoir/simulation/geo-statistics studies in steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), tight gas, water-flooding, and coalbed methane reservoirs. He has analysed many pressure tests for various reservoir settings. guncel.demircan@santos.com |
Mathias Satyagraha is a Brisbane-based staff petroleum engineer for Santos’ GLNG Project. Mathias joined Santos in 2006 as a senior stimulation engineer. Before then he spent 10 years with Chevron IndoAsia BU, working in various roles in the Assets Team and Technical Team. His career has included sand control, well stimulation, production optimisation, and reservoir management. Mathias holds BS and MS degrees in petroleum engineering from Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), in Indonesia. mathias.satyagraha@santos.com |
