Use of a Novel Coiled Tubing Real-Time Downhole Flow Measurement Tool to Evaluate Matrix Stimulation Treatment for the First Time Worldwide

Abstract

Abstract This paper discusses the first worldwide use of a novel coiled tubing (CT) real-time downhole flow measurement tool to evaluate the effectiveness of a matrix stimulation intervention performed in a salt water disposal (SWD) well by comparing the acquired data with the injection profile obtained via a conventional production logging tool prior to the treatment. When SWD wells show a decrease in injectivity, the operator’s preference is to conduct stimulation treatments or reperforate target intervals before deciding on a costly workover operation. The decision to intervene is often made based on injection profiling performed using production logging tools along with injectivity index calculations. This evaluation represents an additional expense that typically requires significant time and logistical coordination. Alternatively, a CT real-time downhole flow measurement tool can be used to conduct, in a single run, i) injection profiling, enabling optimization of ii) treatment execution, before iii) conducting post-stimulation injection profiling to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. With the recent introduction of the CT real-time downhole flow measurement tool to facilitate the optimization and evaluation of matrix stimulation treatments, new concerns arose as to whether an actual correlation existed between said tool and existing injection profiles obtained through conventional production logging tools. Until now, there have been no field data to compare both approaches. During a recent matrix stimulation treatment on a SWD well, it was decided to perform a correlation between the data acquired by both tools before the execution of the acid stimulation. The correlation between the injection profiling obtained via the CT real-time downhole flow measurement tool and the injection profile obtained via production logging tool was remarkably similar. Additionally, it was confirmed during the treatment that the data acquired by the CT real-time downhole flow measurement tool can be further used to optimize the stimulation treatment, before performing another injection profile after the stimulation. Surface and downhole parameters acquired during the treatment were also used to model the well performance via nodal analysis. The paper shows the world’s first example of the correlation of the injection profile obtained by the CT real-time downhole flow tool to the injection profile obtained via a production logging tool. This paper sheds light on the benefits of monitoring downhole parameters during CT acid stimulations. It also highlights the added value brought by the CT real-time downhole flow measurement tool and how its output correlates to production logging tool data.