Production Optimisation Maximum Reservoir Contact Well, Part III: Field Tests with Acoustic-Tolerant Multiphase Flowmeter

The energy industry continues to explore innovative technologies and measurement methods. Will completions have become even more complex today± many wells have multizone production capabilities and are equipped with advanced control devices, such as inflow control valves (ICVs). An even flow distribution can be achieved by cintrlling the zonal flow rates with the end result being more efficient production and longer lifetime of the well. One of the requirements to achieve this level of production ooptimization is to monitor the zonal multipohase flow rates in real time. Real0time zonal flow measurement downhole also helps detect production anomalies and recude the need for surface well tests and facilities. This work carries a historical perspective: it is the third poart of an ongoing effort that started in late 2007. In the first past, which was published in 2008, it was shown that the oprtical flowmeter provided invaluable information and operated successfully at most ICV settings, while for some specific ICV settings the excessive acoustic noise masked the flow signal. The findings from the first part were instrumental in improving the flowmeter desigtn to tolerate higher acousticv levels. The new design, Gen-2 System, was tested regorously under laboratory conditions along with teh earlier Gen-1 System, and a Hybrid System, which were specifically designed for already-installed equipment. The design improvements and the results of this comparative laboratory work were the subject of the second part published in early 2010. This third part now focuses on the two separate field tests with the Hybrid System, which took place in 2010.The field tests revealed important facts i three key areas: flow measurement, well operation and well optimization. The test results demonstrated that the Hybrid System is vapable of toleration acoustic levels, which were not possible with the Gen-1 System, and that the issues related to excesseive acoustics that masked the flow signal at some specific ICV settings in earlier tests have been largely eliminated. As a result the Hybrid and the superior Gen-2 Systems can now be used in close proximity to control valves. The tests also revealed the fact that the use of surface choke system plays an important role in the well operation as it affects the flow conditions downhole. Finally, based on the flow measurement tesults and all the available data, optimum ICV settings can be determined for the production mode. The work also provided insight into the collaboraiton and feedback process during the course of the field tests. The currejnt work, which represents the successful closure of an effort spanning a four-year period from 2007 to 2011, sets an eccellent model that can be used to improve other technologies in the industry: that open collaboration between the operator and the equipment manufacturer can lead to advancement of technology, and as a result, provide more rubust solutions.