A Preview of the Digital Component in the New Wireline Formation Testing Era

Abstract

Wireline formation testing has been routinely used for reservoir characterization in the Gulf of Mexico. The significant impact that fluid composition has on designing and operating production and processing facilities for these complex reservoirs requires comprehensive fluid sampling during exploration and appraisal. Vertical and lateral connectivity, fluid compatibility when commingling to meet production targets, or asphaltene onset potential along the production flow path are examples of the need for thorough understanding of fluid property variations. This case study combines the use of the newest generation of formation testing platform with innovative workflows to acquire critical fluid data and refine the geological reservoir model in near real time. Conveyance difficulties foreseen in the S-shaped well suggested that the use of a shorter, lighter tool could increase the chances of success in a field where past keyseating episodes left few reliable alternatives for conveyance apart from drillpipe-conveyed logging. The application of the smart sampling platform capabilities introduced important changes to the standard protocols used in these cases. The increased cleanup efficiency of the new formation testing technology enabled fast investigation of reservoir fluids at multiple depths with robust metrology for specific properties. The outstanding sample purity formed the foundation of advanced interpretation workflows. With its high-quality fluid data, this case was used to perform a "proof of concept" of advanced interpretation workflows aimed at updating geological and fluid models in near real time once the downhole fluid analysis data become available at the end of each sampling station. The formation testing data and the near real-time answers expedited tailoring the completion of the well, which involved a nontrivial commingle decision. The fluid information also provided clarity for the geological model in a section of the field where the current seismic interpretation had shown uncertainty for the reservoir architecture in the downthrown block of the field. The combination of new formation testing hardware and short-cycle workflows makes this case study the first of its kind. The proof of hardware performance and data processing/interpretation capability cements the case for higher-density data streams and a shortened data life cycle. It serves as a preview of how digitally enabled formation testing operations will be conducted in the future to provide new insights to reservoir understanding.