METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR COILED TUBING TESTING

• US 20070044960A1
• Filed: 08/02/2006
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Lovell, John, Zemlak, Warren, Allcorn, Marc, Tunc, Gokturk, Prestridge, Andrew, Harrison, Steven, Espinosa, Frank, Peixoto, Luis
• Granted Patent: US 7,980,306 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/250.70
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/206 with conductors, e.g. electrical, optical
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/124 Units with longitudinally-spaced plugs for isolating the intermediate space
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/06 in wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/122 Gas lift
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/008 by injection test; by analysing pressure variations in an injection or production test, e.g. for estimating the skin factor measuring pressure E21B47/06
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/087 Well testing, e.g. testing for reservoir productivity or formation parameters

Abstract

A method and apparatus for testing a multi-zone reservoir while reservoir fluids are flowing from within the wellbore. The method and apparatus enables isolation and testing of individual zones without the need to pull production tubing. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It may not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of testing a multi-zone reservoir while reservoir fluids are flowing from within a wellbore, comprising:

running coiled tubing into the wellbore;

activating a zonal isolation apparatus to isolate at least one zone;

allowing fluid to flow from the isolated zone; and

measuring the downhole flow and pressure of the fluid flowing from the isolated zone.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the zonal isolation apparatus comprises a pair of inflatable packers.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of diverting flow to the annulus above the zonal isolation apparatus.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of lowering the hydrostatic head in the annulus by pumping nitrogen into the annulus.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting the downhole measurements to the surface.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the measurements are transmitted by optical fibers.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising pumping a treating fluid based on downhole measurements.

8. A method of testing a multi-zone reservoir while reservoir fluids are flowing from within a wellbore, comprising:

running coiled tubing into the wellbore;

setting a first isolation apparatus to prevent reservoir fluid from flowing to surface;

activating a zonal isolation apparatus below the first isolation apparatus to isolate a first zone;

allowing fluid to flow from the first zone;

measuring the downhole flow and pressure of the fluid flowing from the first zone; and

diverting the fluid flow from the first zone to the annulus above the first isolation apparatus.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of deactivating the zonal isolation apparatus, moving the zonal isolation apparatus to a second zone, and activating the zonal isolation apparatus to isolate the second zone.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the zonal isolation apparatus comprises a pair of inflatable packers.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of lowering the hydrostatic head in the annulus by pumping nitrogen into the annulus.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of transmitting the downhole measurements to the surface.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the measurements are transmitted by optical fibers.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising pumping a treating fluid based on downhole measurements.

15. An apparatus for testing reservoir fluids while they are flowing from a wellbore, comprising:

coiled tubing;

a straddle system of packers activated to isolate a reservoir zone, the straddle system conveyed and positioned by the coiled tubing;

a surface controlled valve system that enables fluid pumped from the surface to flow into the wellbore annulus above the straddle system of packers, enables fluid pumped from the surface to flow into a zone isolated by the straddle system of packers, and enables fluid flowing from the isolated zone of the reservoir to flow into the annulus above the straddle system of packers; and

a measurement apparatus to provide flow measurements for fluid flowing from the isolated zone.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the packers of the straddle system of packers are inflatable packers.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the valve system further enables fluid pumped from the surface to flow into the straddle system of packers to activate the packers.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a communication system to transmit the flow measurements to the surface.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the communication system comprises optical fibers.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising isolation means positioned above the straddle system of packers.