Utilization Of Surface Flow Loop For Analysis Of Field Logs In Production Wells

A flow loop (Dresser Atlas, 1985) directs a one, two, or three-phase flow of desired composition and rate through a transparent test chamber having a chosen inside diameter and inclination angle. A common application of such a facility is to place a production logging instrument or instrument string within the test chamber for the purpose of determining the response of the instrument(s) to typical flow rates and compositions in various casing sizes and wellbore deviation angles. A less frequent application of the facility, however, is to generate data for quantitative analysis of previously-recorded field logs, especially when the logs relate to multiphase flows in wells having substantial deviation angles. Examples are discussed in which the facility is used to develop analytical data for field logs in multiphase flows in an oil well with a 70ø deviated wellbore and a gas well whose wellbore is deviated 40ø from vertical. In another unusual application, the flow loop is used to develop an improved logging method and interpretive technique for water-oil flows in vertical or deviated wellbores. Flow loop tests are described which illustrate how the method improves the reliability with which information from the logs can be used for determining the individual flow rates of the water and oil. The technique is applied to analyzing field logs recorded in a water-oil flow.