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

• US 20050167156A1
• Filed: 01/30/2004
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Effective Exploration LLC
• Original Assignee: CDX Gas LLC (EnerVest Ltd.)
• Inventors: Zupanick, Joseph A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,207,395 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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;

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

planning further formation of the well based on testing of the subterranean formation through 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 an enlarged area at the subterranean formation.

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

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

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first configuration comprises the first well bore with a slot cavity in the subterranean formation.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first configuration 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.

8. 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.

9. The method of claim 8, 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 of greater than three feet.

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

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining 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. The method of claim 1, further comprising 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.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the substantially horizontal well bore pattern characteristic comprises a lateral spacing.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining 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 configurations.

15. A system for testing a partially formed well, comprising:

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

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

means for reconfiguring the first well bore to a second configuration disparate from the first configuration;

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

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

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

forming a 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 formation through the well bore having the enlarged cavity; and

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