Accurate pressure measurements needed in high-temperature, low-permeability conditions

The Gulf of Thailand is known for its high temperature gradient. One major operator's wells usually have bottomhole temperatures in excess of 320 degF [160 degC]. A slim formation tester tool was needed to obtain crucial reservoir pressure measurements, which along with fluid type and mobility measurements would be used to select the perforation intervals. However, because conventional multifunctional tools for formation testing employ hydraulic control for pretesting, the resulting pressure would not be sufficiently accurate for determining the pressure gradient, especially for low-permeability formations.

Effective thermal design incorporating versatile, enhanced pretest system

PressureXpress-HT high-temperature reservoir pressure service is specifically engineered for pressure and mobility testing at up to 450 degF bottomhole temperature. Compared with conventional multifunction formation tester tools that also collect fluid samples, PressureXpress-HT service significantly reduces the time and risk involved with testing operations by making highly accurate reservoir pressure and mobility measurements typically in less than a minute.

Innovative tool architecture enables the superior thermal stability of the HPHT quartz gauge and extended holding time—up to 14 h—while eliminating the need for gauge temperature stabilization. By combining these capabilities with the precision of electromechanical pretest control, PressureXpress-HT service provides accurate gradients and overall data quality not achievable by either conventional standard or high-temperature formation testers.

Reservoir pressure gradient determined from accurate pressure measurements

The precise control of pretest volume and rate provided by the enhanced pretest system of PressureXpress-HT service enabled performing pretests at multiple depths to produce a profile of pressure versus depth and accurately establish the reservoir pressure gradient. With this critical information, the operator was able to optimize the selection of perforation intervals.