Real-time Monitoring of SAGD Wells
Authors: Knoll R. , Yeung K.C. , Saltuklaroglu M. 
Published: July 2010

Technology Brief

The value of continuous monitoring in SAGD (steam assisted gravity drainage) wells has been documented in various technical literature over the last two years.

Of the 39 SAGD well pairs that have been drilled in Alberta to date, many have incorporated pressure and temperature monitoring as part of the assessment of SAGD effectiveness(1). Real-time monitoring has provided operators increased understanding as to the overall development of the steam chamber and the operational balance that must be achieved between injector and producer wells.

Monitoring systems have consisted of thermocouples, bubble-tubes, high temperature pressure sensors, and fiber optic DTS (distributed temperature systems). Various conveyance technologies have been used to instrument injector, producer, and observation wells including casing, tubing, suspended, and coil-tubing systems. The latter is emerging as the system of choice where operators want complete understanding of horizontal pressure and temperature profiles from heel to toe, primarily in producer wells.

As indicated by several early adopters of SAGD technology real-time monitoring has provided a number of benefits, which can be summarized as follows:Real-time pressure and temperature is used to obtain operational data for the design and drilling of horizontal wells and for containment and control of SAGD producers(2).Horizontal well length can be optimized based on a better understanding as to the in situ pressure drop that occurs from heel to toe of SAGD wells(1).Monitoring of multipoint pressure and temperature confirms the existence of thief zones, which can adversely affect the balance between injected steam and produced oil.FIGURE 1: Coil tubing conveyed SAGD well monitoring system (Available in full paper)Heel pressure monitoring is used to understand pumping system efficiencies and to confirm pressure and temperature distribution from the toe to heel of the well.SAGD reservoirs tend to be somewhat unconsolidated in nature and thus injection pressures must be monitored (in-situ) to remain under the known frac gradient in the area. Exceeding frac pressure can cause the loss of steam to adjacent thief zones, adversely affecting well production.

As SAGD technology evolves from the pilot to commercial stages of development, there exists several viewpoints as to the amount and type of instrumentation necessary to successfully develop and operate a SAGD project. It is certain, however that continuous monitoring plays a key role in successfully producing SAGD wells.

FIGURE 2: Tubing conveyed SAGD well monitoring system (Available in full paper)

FIGURE 3: Suspended (observation well) monitoring system (Available in full paper)

FIGURE 4: Thermal profile (multipoint measurement along horizontal well) (Available in full paper)

PROMORE Engineering Inc. is an industry leader in the design, deployment and service of SAGD well monitoring systems incorporating pressure and temperature sensors, fiber optics, thermocouple and bubble-tube technologies.

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