Pressure test method for permanent downhole wells and apparatus therefore

• US 5,934,371 A
• Filed: 06/25/1998
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Weightman, Bruce E., Bussear, Terry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHOEPPEL, ROGER J
• Application Number:
  US09/104,724
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• Field of Search: 166/53, 166/64, 166/65.1, 166/66.4, 166/66.6, 166/72, 166/372, 166/373
• US Class Current: 166/53
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/00 Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells setting of casings, screens or liners E21B43/10
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/10 in the borehole sealing the junction between main bore and laterals E21B41/0042
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/127 with inflatable sleeve E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/06 in wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/066 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/10 operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/16 Control means therefor being outside the borehole control systems for submerged well heads E21B33/0355
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/14 Obtaining from a multiple-zone well
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/06 Measuring temperature or pressure
• 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 49/08 Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/087 Well testing, e.g. testing for reservoir productivity or formation parameters

Abstract

A permanently installed, remotely monitored and controlled transient pressure test system is provided. This system utilizes shut-in/choke valves, pressure sensors and flow meters which are permanently associated with the completion string to perform transient pressure tests in single and multiple zone production and injection wells. The present invention permits full bore testing which thereby eliminates undesirable wellbore storage effects. The present invention further allows for pressure testing limited only to a selected zone (or zones) in a well without expensive well intervention and without halting production from, or injection into, other zones in the well. The permanently located pressure test system of this invention also allows for real-time, downhole nodal sensitivity and control. This pressure test system may be permanently deployed either in production wells or injection wells.

Claims

1. A remotely controlled shut-off valve and variable choke assembly comprising:

a housing having a longitudinal passage;

a shut-off valve in said passage;

at least one variable choke valve in said passage;

a control assembly operatively connected to said shut-off valve and said variable choke valve for selectively actuating said valves between open and closed positions;

an electronic controller in communication with said control assembly for actuating said control assembly.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

said variable choke valve is upstream of said shut-off valve.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

said control assembly includes a motor.

3. The assembly of claim I including:

a plurality of choke valves, each having a distinct flow orifice.