Method and system for testing a partially formed hydrocarbon well for evaluation and well planning refinement

• US 7,207,395 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2004
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Effective Exploration LLC
• Original Assignee: CDX Gas LLC (EnerVest Ltd.)
• Inventors: Zupanick, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): DANG, HOANG C
• Application Number:
  US10/769,221
• Publication Number:
  US 20050167156A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 175/40, 175/50, 175/57, 166/250.16
• US Class Current: 175/40
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/30 Specific pattern of wells, e.g. optimising the spacing of wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/305 comprising at least one inclined or horizontal well
• 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

Abstract

A method and system for testing a partially formed well includes forming a first well bore intersecting a subterranean formation. The first well bore includes a portion of a planned well having a first configuration. A production characteristic of the subterranean formation is tested through the first well bore in the first configuration. The first well bore is reconfigured to a second configuration different from the first configuration. The production characteristic of the subterranean formation is re-tested through the first well bore in the second configuration. Further formation of the planned well is planned based on testing of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the first and second configurations.

Claims

1. A method for testing a partially formed well, comprising:

forming a first well bore intersecting a subterranean formation, the first well bore comprising a portion of a well and having a first configuration;

testing a production characteristic of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the first configuration;

reconfiguring the first well bore to a second configuration disparate from the first configuration by cutting the subterranean formation to enlarge a transverse dimension of the first well bore;

testing the production characteristic of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the second configuration;

planning further formation of the well based on testing of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the first and second configurations; and

determining at least one characteristic of a substantially horizontal well bore pattern of the well based on testing of the first well bore in the first and second configurations.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first configuration comprises a substantially unaltered bore hole drilled to the subterranean formation.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second configuration comprises the first well bore with a substantially cylindrical cavity in the subterranean formation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first configuration comprises the first well bore with a first enlarged area in the subterranean formation and the second configuration comprises the first well bore with a second further enlarged area in the subterranean formation.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein testing the production characteristic comprises performing a production flow test.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the substantially horizontal well bore pattern characteristic comprises a lateral spacing.

7. A method for testing a partially formed well, comprising:

forming a first well bore intersecting a subterranean formation, the first well bore comprising a portion of a well and having a first configuration;

testing a production characteristic of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the first configuration;

reconfiguring the first well bore to a second configuration disparate from the first configuration by cutting the subterranean formation to enlarge a transverse dimension of the first well bore;

testing the production characteristic of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the second configuration;

planning further formation of the well based on testing of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the first and second configurations; and

wherein the second confuguration comprises the first well bore with a slot cavity in the subterranean formation.

8. A method for testing a partially formed well, comprising:

forming a first well bore intersecting a subterranean formation, the first well bore comprising a portion of a well and having a first configuration;

testing a production characteristic of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the first configuration;

reconfiguring the first well bore to a second configuration disparate from the first configuration by cutting the subterranean formation to enlarge a transverse dimension of the first well bore;

testing the production characteristic of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the second configuration;

planning further formation of the well based on testing of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the first and second configurations; and

wherein the first configuration comprises the first well bore with a slot cavity in the subterranean formation.

9. The method for testing a partially formed well, comprising:

forming a first well bore intersecting a subterranean formation, the first well bore comprising a portion of a well and having a first configuration;

testing a production characteristic of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the first configuration;

reconfiguring the first well bore to a second configuration disparate from the first configuration by cutting the subterranean formation to enlarge a transverse dimension of the first well bore;

testing the production characteristic of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the second configuration;

planning further formation of the well based on testing of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the first and second configurations; and

wherein the first cconfiguration comprises the first well bore with a first slot cavity in the subterranean formation and the second configuration comprises the first well bore with a first and second slot cavity in the subterranean formation.

10. A method for testing a partially formed well, comprising:

forming a first well bore intersecting a subterranean formation, the first well bore comprising a portion of a well and having a first configuration;

testing a production characteristic of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the first configuration;

reconfiguring the first well bore to a second configuration disparate from the first configuration by cutting the subterranean formation to enlarge a transverse dimension of the first well bore;

testing the production characteristic of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the second configuration;

planning further formation of the well based on testing of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the first and second configurations;

wherein the first configuration comprises the first well bore with a first enlarged area in the subterranean formation and the second configuration comprises the first well bore with a second further enlarged area in the subterranean formation; and

wherein the first enlarged area comprises a first cavity having a diameter between two and three feet and the second enlarged area comprises a cavity having a diameter ot greater than three feet.

11. A method for testing a partially formed well, comprising:

forming a first well bore intersecting a subterranean formation, the first well bore comprising a portion of a well and having a first configuration;

testing a production characteristic of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the first configuration;

reconfiguring the first well bore to a second configuration disparate from the first configuration by cutting the subterranean formation to enlarge a transverse dimension of the first well bore;

testing the production characteristic of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the second configuration;

planning further formation of the well based on testing of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the first and second configurations; and

further comprising determing whether to drill a second intersecting well bore of the planned well based on the testing of the first well bore in the first and second configurations.

12. A method for testing a partially formed well, comprising:

forming a first well bore intersecting a subterranean formation, the first well bore comprising a portion of a well and having a first configuration;

testing a production characteristic of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the first configuration;

reconfiguring the first well bore to a second configuration disparate from the first configuration by cutting the subterranean formation to enlarge a transverse dimension of the first well bore;

testing the production characteristic of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the second configuration;

planning further formation of the well based on testing of the subterranean formation through the first well bore in the first and second configurations; and

further comprising determing an orientation and lateral spacing of a substantially horizontal well bore pattern of the well based on testing of the first well bore in the first and second configuration.

13. A method for forming a well, comprising drilling a first well bore intersecting a subterranean formation;

forming an enlarged cavity in the first well bore at the subterranean formation;

testing a characteristic of the subterranean formation through the well bore;

enlarging the cavity in the subterranean formation;

re-testing the characteristic of the subterranean information through the well bore having the enlarged cavity; and

further drilling a bore hole associated wih the well bore based on testing and re-testing results.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein testing the charactertistic comprises performing a production flow test.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein enlarging the cavity in the subterranean formation comprises enlarging the cross-sectional area of the cavity.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein enlarging the cavity comprises forming a slot cavity in the subterranean formation.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising determining whether to drill a second intersecting well bore based on the testing and re-testing results.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the cavity and the enlarged cavity comprise cylindrical cavities having different diameters.