16.
Production Logging
Summary
Production logging deals with the cased hole logging techniques available to
measure / monitor the fluid production flow behaviour in tubing and/or casing
during production.
Typical methods / measurements of the conventional production Logging Tool
(PLT) are:
- flow velocity (e.g. using the spinner)
- fluid density
- flow noise
- temperature
The flow behaviour is very different for single and multiphase flow. The latter
strongly depend on hole deviation. For such conditions, more modern tools exist,
like the MCFM from Baker Atlas (jointly developed with Shell) and Schlumberger’s
Flagship, which combine PNC/PNS measurements with PLT type measurements.
References
- James J. Smolen, Cased hole and Production log evaluation, PennWell Books, 1996
- Schlumberger, Cased Hole Log Interpretation Principles/Applications, 1989
- Oilfield Review, Winter 1996, pp. 44-64
Why Production Logging ?
The primary goal of Production Logging is reconciliation of downhole inflow with
surface rates and results from reservoir modelling. Differences may be reveal
typical mechanical well problems as highlighted in Fig. 1.
Single phase flow
Single phase flow can be laminar of turbulent (Fig. 2) dependent on the Reynolds
number (Fig. 3: the fans of lines correspond from top to bottom to viscosities of 1,
10 and 100 centipoise respectively).
The flow velocity can be measured with spinner tools (Figs. 4 & 5). Ideally the
spinner rotation speed (rotations per second, rps) should correspond linearly to the
flow velocity (Fig. 6). However, the actual response is more complicated because
of effects due to viscosity (Fig. 7) and friction (Fig. 8). Therefore, standard practice
is to make several runs with different tool velocities (several runs with the tool
moving up and several with the tool moving down): Figs. 9 and 10. If the fluid is
moving up faster than the tool is moving up, the spinner response is positive, but if
the tool is moving up faster the spinner response is negative (the spinner rotates in
the other direction). Only the spinner absolute response (rps) is plotted though
(regardless of the rotation direction) and one has to take this “spinner reversal”
into account (Fig. 12: the bottom part should be plotted on a negative scale). One
can combine an up and a down run and overlay them in the region of no fluid flow.
A separation then is indicative of a flowing zone: Fig. 11. The actual flow velocity
can be obtained from the displacement of a line through points obtained at various
(up and down) tool velocities with respect to the line for zero flow: Fig. 10.
Slip velocity and hold-up
If water and hydrocarbon are flowing simultaneously, there can be a difference in
velocity between the two fluids. This is called slip velocity. This has to be
differentiated from the hold-up which is the fraction of the total volume that is
occupied by the fluid (hence, there is a water hold-up and a hydrocarbon hold-up):
Figs. 13. The slip velocity is related to hold-up and density difference (Fig. 14) and
hole deviation.
Multi-phase flow regimes
If liquids and gas are flowing simultaneously, different flow regimes can result,
depending on fluid velocities (Figs. 15) and borehole deviation. Because of that,
conventional (spinner) flow meters may not work anymore in deviated wells (Figs.
16 & 17). As the hole deviation may change with depth the flow regime may
change with (along hole) depth as well. The modern contractor tools (like the
MCFM and the FlagShip) cope much better with these conditions (Fig. 18).
Fig. 1 Mechanical Well Problems
Fig. 2 Fluid Phases in the Wellbore
velocity = 0
at pipe wall
Laminar Flow Turbulent Flow
10000
10000
Reynolds Number v Flow rate
Turbulent 3 flow
for 1.0g/cm fluid
1 centipoise
.
.
Turbulent flow
Transition zone
transition zone
Number Nre
1000 10 centipoise
Laminar flow
Reynolds number
Reynolds
Laminar flow
100 centipoise
100
100
Pipe
pipe OD
od
Nre = ρvD/μ 3
4
5
6
8
10
10
10 1000
10 Flowrate 100
(bbl/day)
Flow rate in barrels/day
1000
Copyright 2001 SIEP b.v.
This example: ρ = 1 g/cc
Fig. 3 Relationships of Re number to Flowrate
Fullbore Spinner Flowmeter
Centralizer
blades can
fold up
23.5
to run the
tool through
tubing
11.6
.
Fig. 4 The Fullbore Flowmeter
Basket flow meter
Exit ports
Spinner
Metal petals
DC motor
Fig. 5 The Basket Flow Meter
Fig. 6 Ideal Response of the Spinner with Fluid Velocity
Spinner
rps
Fluid Velocity Fluid Velocity
DOWN UP
Fig. 7 Effect of Viscosity Is to Change the Spinner Response
away from the Ideal Line
Spinner
rps
increasing
viscosity
Fluid Velocity Fluid Velocity
DOWN UP
increasing
viscosity
Fig. 8 Mechanical Effects are seen at Very Low Flowrates
Spinner
rps
increasing
mechanical viscosity
effects
Fluid Velocity Fluid Velocity
DOWN UP
increasing
viscosity
Fig. 9 Plot with Tool Velocity Substituted for Fluid Velocity
Spinner
rps
increasing
mechanical viscosity
effects
Tool Velocity Tool Velocity
UP DOWN
increasing
viscosity
Fig. 10 Flowing Fluids add their Velocity to that of the Tool changing
the Flow away from the Zero Calibration Line
Spinner
rps
Vf w
Midpoint Flo
ro
Ze
Tool Velocity
UP
Vf Tool Velocity
ow DOWN
Vf Fl
ro
Ze
Overlay of “run up” and
“run down” curves
Run Run
Up Down
600
Perforations
Spinners
700
Temperature
Gradio
800
Fig. 11 A Typical Production Log
Spinner reversals
Spinner, rps
tool moving
slower than
the fluid
(+ rps)
Spinner
Reversed
tool moving
faster than
the fluid
(- rps)
Fig. 12 Spinner Reversals
Fig. 13 Simplified Model Illustrating Slip Velocity
VO VW
YW
VO = VW + VS
ρmix = YWρW + Yoρo = YW ρW + (1 –YW) ρo
ρmix = YWρW + ρo – YWρo = YW (ρW – ρ ) + ρo
ρ – ρo
YW = mix
ρW – ρo
Fig. 14 Standard Chart for Slippage Velocity
Fig. 15 Fluid Phases in the Wellbore
FLOW REGIMES
102
LIQUID VELOCITY
10
REGION I
REGION II REGION III
N
IO
SIT
AN
TR
1
BUBBLE FLOW
MIST FLOW
SLUG FLOW
PLUG FLOW
10-1 1 10 102 103
GAS VELOCITY
Fig. 16 Flowmeters may read Two Different Types of Flow
in Deviated Wells
Flow restrictions in undulating boreholes
Trapped
gas
Trapped
water
Fig. 17 Complexities in Horizontal Wells
MCFM - Measurement
Concept
Flow Direction
– Level and holdup determined from sensors at 8 levels across wellbore (12
bit)
– Velocity determined from correlation of adjacent sensors on 4 rows (1 bit)
Copyright 2001 SIEP b.v.
Fig. 18 The MCFM from Baker Atlas
