Delivering Pressure Transient Analysis During Drawdown on ESP Wells: Case Studies and Lessons Learned
Authors: Camilleri Lawrence , Al-Hussainee Nabeel , Al-Janabi Mohammed , Al-Jorani Mohammed , Kamal Aal Najar Mohammed , Ayoub Joseph 
Published: December 2021

While pressure transient analysis (PTA) is a proven interpretation technique, it is mostly used on buildups because drawdowns are difficult to interpret. However, the deferred production associated with buildups discourages regular application of PTA to determine skin and identify boundary conditions. Several case studies are presented covering a range of well configurations to illustrate how downhole transient liquid rate measurements with electrical submersible pump (ESP) gauges enable PTA during drawdown and therefore real-time optimization.

The calculation of high-frequency transient flow rates using ESP gauge real-time data is based on the principle that the power absorbed by the pump is equal to that generated by the motor. This technique is independent of fluid specific gravity and therefore is self-calibrating with changes in water cut and phase segregation. Analytical equations ensure that the physics is always respected, thereby providing the necessary repeatability. The combination of downhole transient high-frequency flow rate and permanent pressure gauge data enables PTA using commonly available analytical techniques and software, especially because superposition time is calculated accurately.

The availability of continuous production history brings significant value for PTA. It makes it possible to perform history matching and to deploy semilog analysis using an accurate set of superposition time functions. However, the application of log-log analysis techniques is usually more challenging because of imperfections in input data such as noise, oversimplified production history, time-synchronization issues, or wellbore effects. These limitations are solved by utilizing high-frequency downhole data from ESP. This is possible first as superposition time is effectively an integral function, which dampens any noise in the flow rate signal. Another important finding is that wellbore effects in subhydrostatic wells are less impactful in drawdowns than in buildups where compressibility and redistribution can mask reservoir response. Key reservoir properties, in particular mobility, can nearly always be estimated, leading to better skin factor determination even without downhole shut-in. Finally, with the constraint of production deferment eliminated, drawdowns can be monitored for extended durations to identify boundaries and to perform time-lapse interpretation more efficiently. Confirming a constant pressure boundary or a change in skin enables more effective and proactive production management. In all cases considered, a complete analysis was possible, including buildup and drawdown data comparison.

With the development of downhole flow rate calculation technology, it is now possible to provide full inflow characterization in a matter of days following an ESP workover, without any additional hardware or staff mobilization to the wellsite and no deferred production. More importantly, the technique provides the necessary information to diagnose the cause of underproduction, identify stimulation candidates, and manage drawdown.