Abstract
Understanding of fluid movement in and near the wellbore is a crucial factor for effective reservoir management including successful remedial actions and field development planning. One of the key objectives in well surveys is to detect and locate sources of fluid flows behind multiple pipe barriers. The conventional Production Logging Tool (PLT) is run to detect fluid flow and identify the type of fluid under downhole conditions, but is limited to measurements only inside the wellbore. Similarly, other diagnostic techniques, such as cement bond logging, give insight only into the cement integrity and also have limited capabilities to detect cross flows behind casing.
Recent developments in temperature and noise logging tools and advanced interpretation techniques have provided higher resolution and sensitivity, enabling the detection of previously undetectable leaks and fluid flow behind casing [1].
In the present case, a water zone has been identified in a producing formation with High Precision Temperature (HPT) logging and Spectral Noise Logging (SNL) followed by advanced numerical temperature modelling using the TermoSim software application. SNL identifies flowing zones and differentiates between rock-matrix and fracture flows, and TermoSim then numerically models heat exchange between the wellbore fluid and the surrounding rocks and reservoirs. The resulting model quantifies fluid production from each reservoir unit. Conventional production logging (PLT) locates fluid entry points in the wellbore. The integrated HPT-SNL and PLT logging suite can trace the entire water path from the reservoir into the wellbore.
This paper describes water source identification by an HPT-SNL-PLT logging suite deployed in several production wells of a Kuwait oil field. In some of the wells in this field, it has been found that water encroached into the perforations from a watered reservoir below through a channel behind the casing. In other wells, it has been found that cold water breakthrough occurred laterally from nearby water injectors. The exact identification of water sources is a crucial step in any further well remedial work to reduce or eliminate them from oil producing wells. [2]
