Uses of Short-Term Tests in a Computer-Controlled Well Test System
Authors: Womack John T. , Scoles Lee R. 
Published: December 2007

American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc.

This paper was prepared for the Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting of the Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME, to be held in Casper, Wyo., May 15–16, 1973. Permission to copy is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words. Illustrations may not be copied. The abstract should contain conspicuous acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper is presented. Publication elsewhere after publication in the JOURNAL paper is presented. Publication elsewhere after publication in the JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY or the SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS JOURNAL is usually granted upon request to the Editor of the appropriate journal provided agreement to give proper credit is made. provided agreement to give proper credit is made. Discussion of this paper is invited. Three copies of any discussion should be sent to the Society of Petroleum Engineers office. Such discussion may be presented at the above meeting and, with the paper, may be considered for publication in one of the two SPE magazines.

A computer-controlled automatic well test system using short-term tests for both flow indication and production testing was installed in Amoco Production Company's Winkleman Dome Field, Wyoming, in late 1970. Tests of 30 to 60 minutes duration are used to test every well at least once a day. Over a year of operating experience has proven the success of short-term tests in locating rapid production declines and evaluating equipment changes and workovers. The system also monitors the operating status of secondary recovery and tank battery equipment. Short-term test accuracy is reviewed, field equipment described, and operations under automation discussed. Economic evaluation indicates payout of the installation in 2.1 years through increased production and reduced costs.

Introduction

Engineering studies conducted in late 1968 determined the accuracy of short-term well tests at Winkleman Dome Field and demonstrated the economic feasibility of installing a computer-controlled automatic well test and equipment alarm system. Approval for a system was obtained in April, 1969; equipment installation was completed in December, 1970; and the system was fully operational by March, 1971.

WINKLEMAN DOME FIELD

Winkleman Dome Field, located 30 miles WNW of Riverton, Wyoming, produces 9,500 BOPD and 40,700 BWPD from 98 wells over approximately 1,000 acres. Secondary recovery projects include a steamflood in the Nugget formation, waterflooding of the Phosphoria, and alternate gas-water injections into the Tensleep. The field is produced at capacity with any deferred production resulting in loss of current income.

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

A computer-controlled automatic well test and equipment monitoring system was installed, because it offered the optimum savings in man-hours spent testing wells, checking equipment, and making reports. The system is designed to gather well test and production data, monitor equipment status points, and control only production data, monitor equipment status points, and control only the well testing equipment.