Method and apparatus for testing a well

• US 6,357,525 B1
• Filed: 04/20/2000
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Vella, Mark, Patel, Dinesh R., Spiers, Christopher W., Langseth, Bjorn
• Primary Examiner(s): TSAY, FRANK
• Application Number:
  US09/552,806
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 166/250.01, 166/250.02, 166/250.07, 166/264, 166/266, 166/269, 166/66.6, 166/66.7, 166/147, 166/167
• US Class Current: 166/264
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/081 with down-hole means for trapping a fluid sample E21B49/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/088 combined with sampling

Abstract

A test system and method for testing a well having a first and second zone includes a chamber and an isolation device moveable in the chamber. The isolation device separates a first and a second portion of the chamber. The chamber is adapted to receive fluid in the second chamber portion from the first zone. The isolation device is adapted to be moved in the chamber in a first direction by the first zone fluid. The first chamber portion can be charged with fluid pressure to move the isolation device in a second direction to pump the first zone fluid inside the second chamber portion into the second zone.

Claims

1. A method of testing a well having a first zone and a second zone, comprising:

flowing fluid from the first zone into a first portion of a chamber; and

moving an isolation device that divides the chamber into the first chamber portion and a second chamber portion in a first direction in response to the fluid flow into the first portion; and

applying an elevated pressure in the second chamber portion to move the isolation device in a second direction to flow the fluid in the first chamber portion into the second zone.

2. A method of testing a well having a first zone and a second zone, comprising:

flowing fluid from the first zone through a flow conduit and into a chamber;

keeping the fluid within the chamber for a set period of time; and

removing the fluid from the chamber to the second zone after the expiration of the set period of time; and

performing the flowing, keeping, and removing steps a plurality of times.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising monitoring characteristics of the fluid while the fluid is within the chamber.

4. A method of testing a well having a first zone and a second zone, comprising:

providing a test string including a chamber, a flow conduit, a first valve, and a second valve;

opening the first valve to enable fluid flow from the first zone through the flow conduit and into the chamber;

after an amount of fluid has flowed into the chamber, closing the first valve to isolate the first zone; and

opening the second valve to enable fluid flow from the chamber into the second zone.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein opening and closing the first valve comprises opening and closing a valve selected from the group consisting of a ball valve, a flapper valve, and a sleeve valve.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein opening the second valve comprises opening a valve selected from the group consisting of a ball valve, a flapper valve, and a sleeve valve.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the well extends from a surface, the method further comprising:

pumping fluid from the well surface into the chamber to flush fluid into the second zone.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

filling an annulus region outside the chamber with kill fluid to prevent blow-out of the first and second zones.

9. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

controlling an adjustable choke device to control flow rate from the first zone to the chamber.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein controlling the adjustable choke device to control the flow rate comprises maintaining a substantially constant flow rate.

11. A method of testing a well having a first zone, comprising:

flowing fluid from the first zone through an adjustable choke into a chamber; and

maintaining the fluid flow rate into the chamber at a substantially constant rate by use of the adjustable choke.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

opening a valve to flow the fluid from the chamber into a second zone.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

using at least one sensor to detect a characteristic of the fluid.

14. A method for testing a well having a first zone and a second zone, comprising:

providing a chamber having an isolation device;

flowing fluid from the first zone into the chamber; and

removing fluid from the chamber to the second zone by use of a pump located exterior to the tool string.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the chamber comprises providing a conduit extending substantially to a well surface.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

moving the isolation device in the chamber as fluid is flowed into the chamber and removed from the chamber.

17. A test system for testing a well having a first zone and a second zone, comprising:

a chamber;

an isolation device in the chamber;

a tool string having a production inlet, an injection outlet, and the chamber;

the production inlet providing communication for fluid from the first zone to the chamber;

the injection outlet providing communication for fluid from the chamber to the second zone; and

a pump located exterior to the tool string for inducing the injection of fluid from the chamber into the second zone.

18. The test system of claim 17, wherein the chamber comprises a conduit extending substantially to a well surface.

19. The test system of claim 17, wherein the isolation device is adapted to move in the chamber as fluid is communicated into and out of the chamber.

20. A method or testing a well having a first zone and a second zone, comprising:

opening a ball valve to allow flow of fluid from the first zone into a chamber;

closing the ball valve;

performing a build-up test of the first zone against the ball valve; and

injecting the fluid from the chamber into the second zone.