PEMEX Exploraci?n & Producci?n (PEMEX E&P) is running a key development plan to improve the reservoir management, well productivity and ultimate recovery of all fields in Mexico. A fundamental part of this project is gathering reliable well production data on real time and on regular basics. PEMEX E&P performed a full study of available technologies in well testing to select a system that meet the needs of the region while simplifying the field logistic and minimizing environmental impact. PEMEX E&P selected the use of multiphase flow meters (MPFM). The program scope includes 8,064 measurements at well heads and collection manifolds during three years. The preparation and use of this MPFM program for multi-rate well tests was carried out with variable gas-liquid ratio flowstream and systems capable to measure all types of flow regimes in fields producing from heavy oil to gas condensates. This paper describes the lessons learned about the practical reliability, accuracy, and operability of the MPFM meters. The paper illustrates with field results the benefits of implementing the multiphase metering in PEMEX E&P. MPFM meters have proved to be a reliable system to measure and improve well productivity.
PEMEX E&P in Mexico has been conformed for four productions Regions including the South, the North, and the Offshore Regions the Northeast, and the Southwest. Flowstream in each well is tested to surveillance well and reservoir performance providing data for field allocation and reservoir management practices (1).
As part of the strategy program to improve reservoir management, PEMEX E&P has implemented the use of MPFM technology. MPFM technology was chosen in order to increase the measurement frequency in several wells, eliminate the need to flare or recompress depressurized fluids.
The reduced crew size, small footprint, and practically elimination of flaring makes this technology an attractive alternative for testing on unmanned facilities, in environmentally sensitive areas and when constraints space are prohibitory(i.e. Cantarell and Macuspana assets).
Multiphase technology has allowed automating and implifying the operations required to wellflow measurement and minimizing production deferral.
MPFM technology in PEMEX E&P has proven to be a very cost-effective and attractive solution to test the well production. This paper details the preparation and temporary deployment of MPFM technology for a series of multi-rate well tests have carried out on low and high gas-liquid ratio (GLR) production wells into the five production assets of the South Region of PEMEX E&P. These assets are Bellota-Jujo, Cinco- Presidentes, Macuspana, Muspac, and Samaria-Luna as shown in Fig. 1.
The producer reservoirs of those five assets consist of Tertiary sandstones and Cretaceous carbonates which are naturally fractured rocks. The fields store all types of petroleum fluids that include dry gas, wet gas, condensate of gas, volatile oil, and black oil, with densities ranging from very heavy oils from 10 °API to superior quality oils up to 60 °API. However, 97% of the overall oil production in the region is light with densities greater than 30 °API.