None.
Aspects relate to the field of oil well services. More specifically, aspects relate to oil based drilling mud filtrate contamination monitoring.
Oil based drilling mud (OBM) filtrate contamination monitoring (OCM) is one of the biggest challenges in downhole fluid analysis. Conventional systems and algorithms are not capable of providing adequate results for OBM contamination monitoring, particularly with focused sampling interface modules. Accurate and quantitative OBM contamination measurement is a key enabler of quality sampling and quality downhole fluid analysis (DFA). New algorithms are highly demanded for this purpose.
Conventional systems do not disclose or suggest any capability that gas/oil ratios may be used in oil based mud filtrate contamination monitoring quantitatively. Previous attempts at developing a relationship have failed as conventional fluid analyzers display a negative gas/oil ratio in Oil Based mud filtrate. This limits its use in quantifying Oil Based mud contamination. Extrapolating contamination free gas/oil ratios determined by asymptotic fitting methods does not work, especially for focused probes and/or new developed probes and packers.
In one example embodiment, a method for monitoring OBM contamination, is disclosed, comprising analytically dividing a fluid stream into two parts, determining a gas/oil ratio for a native (or OBM filtrate contamination free) fluid, determining an apparent gas/oil ratio for the native fluid, and determining on a volume fraction, an oil based mud filtrate contamination level based upon the gas/oil ratio for the native fluid and the apparent gas/oil ratio for the native fluid.
A novel procedure is provided for oil based mud filtrate contamination monitoring and determination of oil based mud filtrate contamination level. Based on the definition of gas/oil ratio, a simple formula is developed to relate oil based mud filtrate contamination level in volume fraction in stock tank oil (STO) to apparent gas/oil ratio which is measured by downhole fluid analysis. The end point for native (contamination free) oil can be determined in different ways using multiple sensors in downhole fluid analysis. Additionally, density itself can be used for oil based mud filtrate contamination monitoring using a mixing rule. When combining the oil based mud contamination level results from gas/oil ratio, density and pressure gradients with those from optical density calculations, confidence is significantly gained in particular when all the results are close. In addition, the oil based mud filtrate contamination monitoring algorithms can be applied not only for individual guard and sampling flowlines but also for combined guard and sampling flowlines. These formulas and algorithms can be used for oil based mud filtrate contamination monitoring in real time and postjob analysis.
Through aspects described herein, it is now possible to use the value of gas/oil ratio for oil based mud filtrate contamination monitoring. The oil based mud filtrate contamination monitoring formula is derived from the definition of gas/oil ratio and oil based mud filtrate contamination level in volume fraction on the basis of dead oil (stock tank oil, STO). Confidence is significantly gained using gas/oil ratio as oil based mud filtrate contamination monitoring due to this theoretical base.
Additionally, the new generation of downhole fluid analysis, like in situ fluid analyzer, avoids negative gas/oil ratio (normalizing GOR to zero for dead oil) in the algorithm and the assumption of zero gas/oil ratio for pure oil based mud filtrate is valid.
Contamination free GOR0 for native oil can be determined from different methods, which can gain confidence for the analysis. For example, (1) density derived from pressure gradients and GOR0 from a linear relationship between density and gas/oil ratio measured by downhole fluid analysis; (2) GOR0 from the asymptotic fitting method is also used for reference. The linear relationship between density and gas/oil ratio is confirmed by laboratory and field data.
In an asymptotic fitting method, a new and robust optimization method is provided to reduce arbitrariness in determining the exponential constant of the power function asymptote.
Oil/gas ratio can be measured by downhole fluid analysis based on downhole optical spectra using optical densities at multiple hydrocarbon channels, referred to as apparent gas/oil ratio. In-field practice, apparent gas/oil ratio was used to guide downhole reservoir fluid sampling along with other sensor measurements downhole during cleanup, especially for focused probes and new developed probes and packers. Once apparent gas/oil ratio reaches a stable value with time or/and pumpout volume, one is able to start sampling. Gas/oil ratio can be used as well to determine oil based mud filtrate contamination levels and then for oil based mud filtrate contamination monitoring during cleanup.
It is reasonably assumed that pure oil based mud filtrate has no gas/oil ratio (no gas dissolved in pure oil based mud filtrate) and cannot be vaporized into the gas phase at a single stage flash at standard conditions (the flash process reaches equilibrium). Based on the definition of gas/oil ratio, a simple formula is derived for the first time to relate oil based mud filtrate contamination level in volume fraction in stock tank oil (STO) to gas/oil ratio. Therefore, one endpoint gas/oil ratio for pure oil based mud filtrate is zero, and the other endpoint gas/oil ratio for native oil can be determined in different ways using multiple sensors in downhole fluid analysis.
Using gas/oil ratio and multiple sensors in downhole fluid analysis as oil based mud filtrate contamination monitoring has the following advantages:
For a native live fluid, the single stage flash gas/oil ratio is defined as the ratio of the volume of the flashed gas that comes out of the live fluid solution, to the volume of the flashed oil (also referred to as stock tank oil, STO) at standard conditions (typically 60° F. and 14.7 psia)
where GOR0, Vgas and Voil0 are the gas/oil ratio of the native fluid, the flashed gas volume and the volume of flashed native (oil based mud filtrate contamination free) STO at standard conditions respectively.
The contaminated fluid is divided into two components: the pure oil based mud filtrate and the native fluid. If the reservoir fluid is contaminated by oil based mud filtrate and it is assumed that the oil based mud filtrate exists only in the flashed liquid (oil) phase (i.e., the oil based mud filtrate has no gas/oil ratio), then gas/oil ratio of the contaminated fluid can be expressed as in equation two (2):
where the total volume of STO (VSTO) is the summation of the oil based mud filtrate volume (Vobm) and native STO volume (Voil0) at standard conditions. Divided both numerator and denominator by Voil0 on the right-hand side, Equation (2) can be rearranged as:
where the definition of gas/oil ratio, i.e. Equation (1), is used for the native fluid. Furthermore, Equation (3) can be rewritten as:
where vobmSTO is the oil based mud filtrate contamination level in volume fraction in stock tank oil (STO) at standard conditions.
Therefore, the oil based mud filtrate contamination level in volume fraction based on STO can be related to gas/oil ratio by:
Equation (5) can be used for downhole oil based mud filtrate contamination monitoring in real time. Apparent gas/oil ratio can be measured by downhole fluid analysis at a series of time during cleanup. The endpoint, GOR0 (gas/oil ratio for the native fluid), can be determined by the following different ways. Then the most suitable gas/oil ratio is selected for GOR0.
GOR0 from Density and Pressure Gradients
Gas/oil ratio is typically in a linear relation with live fluid density. To test the relationship, gas condensate, black oil and heavy oil have been mixed with three types of oil based mud filtrates (esters, mineral oil and olefins) at 10 wt %, 25 wt % and 40 wt % oil based mud filtrate based on STO, respectively, and then the gas/ratio ratio and density are measured for all the mixtures. The results are shown in
The real time in situ fluid analyzer data also show the linear relationship between gas/oil ratio and live density as illustrated in
Because downhole fluid analysis measures apparent gas/oil ratio and density during cleanup, a linear relation can be determined from the cleanup data by selecting a suitable time interval. Pretest pressure (pressure gradient) data can be used to determine density of the contamination free fluid—density endpoint for the native fluid. Thus, the linear relation between gas/oil ratio and density can be extrapolated in terms of the density obtained from the pressure gradient. As a result, the endpoint GOR0 can be determined. Once GOR0 is obtained, oil based mud filtrate contamination level can be estimated by Equation (5) at a series of time (pumpout volume) based on apparent gas/oil ratio measured by downhole fluid analysis. On the other hand, this linear relation can be used to obtain the density of pure oil based mud filtrate by setting gas/oil ratio to zero.
GOR0 from Density Regression and the Linear Relation between GOR and Density
During cleanup, live fluid density can also be fitted by the following empirical expression:
ρ=ρ0−βV−γ (6)
where ρ and V are the density and pumpout volume (can be replaced by time t) measured by downhole fluid analysis; ρ0, β and γ are three adjustable parameters. Once good density data regression is obtained, density (ρ0 ) for the native fluid can be extrapolated by assuming that the pumpout volume (time) approaches infinity. Then GOR0 for the native fluid can be determined from the linear relationship between gas/oil ratio and density mentioned previously. For the focused flow, V can be replaced by the volume in the sample line instead of total volume (summation of sample and guard line volumes).
GOR0 and Density from Nearby Wells or/and Nearby Downhole Fluid Analysis Stations
Both GOR0 and density (ρ0) for the native fluid can be obtained from data of nearby wells or/and nearby DFA stations in the same well.
GOR0 from the Plot of Apparent GOR vs. Pumpout Volume (Time) Data
When gas/oil ratio becomes unchanged (derivative of gas/oil ratio with respect to pumpout volume (time) is zero) even changing flowrate in guard or sampling flowline, that gas/oil ratio is taken as GOR0. This method may be used in field practice for focused sampling and new developed probes and packers.
GOR0 from Fitting to Apparent GOR vs. Pumpout Volume (Time) Data
During cleanup, apparent gas/oil ratio can also be fitted by:
GOR=GOR0−βV−γ (7)
GOR0, β and γ are the three regression parameters and they are determined by fitting the GOR and pumpout volume (time) data during cleanup. Setting V to infinity, GOR0 is assumed to be the GOR for the native fluid.
Equation (7) can be rearranged as
ΔGOR=GOR0−GOR=βV−γ (8)
Combining Equation (5) and Equation (8) the following is obtained:
If it is assumed GOR0 from the apparent gas/oil ratio vs. V (or t) plot, the result is:
A linear regression method may be used to obtain β and γ. The constraints can be applied to the regression: 0≦η≦1; GOR≦GOR0; ⅓≦γ≦2 (γ constraint can be changed according to different packers and probes). In plots In(vobmSTO) vs. In(V) or In(t). a straight line can be observed. The slope is γ and the interception is In(β/GOR0). Because GOR0 is assumed, β can be determined. GOR0 is then updated; updating β and γ is followed. The process may be repeated and the most suitable GOR0 may be found for the best fit for the graph as well as other objectives. An example is shown in
All these methods can be used to obtain GOR0 for the native fluid. Finally, a most suitable GOR0 is selected for oil based mud filtrate contamination level estimation.
Once GOR0 is obtained and the pumpout flowrate is known, the time required for sampling to reach a certain oil based mud level can be calculated by:
where Δt, ΔV, and Qpump are the time required to reach a specified OBM level, the pumpout volume required to reach the specified OBM level, and the pumpout volume flowrate (assuming to be a constant).
Again, the contaminated fluid is divided into two components: the pure oil based mud and the native fluid. It is assumed that the mixing of the oil based mud filtrate and native fluid is ideal, i.e., producing no excess volume:
V
mol
=x
obm
V
obm
mol+(1−xobm)V0mol (12)
where Vmol and x are the molar volume and mole fraction. Subscripts obm and 0 represent the pure oil based mud filtrate and native fluid. The molar volume and mole fraction can be changed into density (ρ) and oil based mud filtrate volume fraction (vobm) at downhole conditions by:
ρ=νobmρobm+(1−νobm)ρ0 (13)
Rearranging Equation (13), the oil based mud filtrate volume fraction is expressed as
vobm can be related to the weight fraction of oil based mud contamination at downhole conditions by:
In Equation (14) and Equation 15, two endpoints—densities of pure oil based mud (ρobm) and native fluid (ρ0) should be known. It should be noted that density contrast between the pure oil based mud filtrate and native fluid should be large enough in order to use Equation (14) and (5) for oil based mud filtrate contamination monitoring.
Determination of Density of Pure OBM (ρobm)
The density of pure oil based mud filtrate can be determined
The density of native fluid can be determined as follows:
Once the two endpoint densities are obtained, Equation (14) and (15) are used to estimate oil based mud filtrate contamination level.
Oil based mud contamination level in weight fraction can be converted between standard and downhole conditions by Equation 16 below:
where wobmSTO, ρSTOStd, Mgas, R, PStd and TStd are the oil based mud filtrate contamination level in weight fraction based on STO at standard conditions, the STO density at standard conditions, the molecular weight of flashed gas at standard conditions, the universal gas constant, the standard pressure (typically 14.7 psia) and standard temperature (typically 60° F.), respectively. ρSTOStd and Mgas can be estimated by the method proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,920,970.
Oil based mud contamination level in volume fraction is then converted between standard and downhole conditions by Equation 17 below:
where Bo is the formation volume factor of the contaminated fluid.
If it is assumed that the density ratio of oil based mud filtrate to fluid at reservoir and standard conditions (i.e., the isothermal compressibility of both oil based mud filtrate and fluid) are approximately identical, the same conversion factor can be used for both oil based mud weight and volume fractions.
The existing oil based mud filtrate contamination monitoring methods such as the methane and color channel oil based mud filtrate contamination algorithms, multi-channel oil based mud filtrate contamination algorithms can be used as well.
An example is given below:
The tool string is shown in
While the aspects has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the disclosure herein.