Patent Description:
During the drilling of a well or during the "open hole" period of the drilled well, it may be advantageous to characterize, in real time, the gas (or more generally the fluid) in the well.

For instance, it may be interesting to determine the proportion of each cut of C1-C30 in the fluid (i.e. molecules that have <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms).

If it is possible to determine the individual proportion and characteristic of each cut C1-C30 in a given fluid in laboratories, no industrial method / device may be used in a well to determine such proportions and characteristics for each of them.

For instance, mud gas measurements (e.g. "Gas While Drilling" or GWD) have a sufficient level of reliability to consider that the composition of the cuts C1 to C5 (eventually C6) may be determined all along the well. Nevertheless, no individual information regarding the cuts above C<NUM>, i.e. Ci><NUM> cuts (i.e. molecules with i carbons, i being strictly higher that <NUM>) may be drawn from GWD measurements: such measurements are limited to the light end of the fluid and, consequently, cannot provide straightforward conclusions on the fluid nature and properties.

In addition, "Downhole Fluid Analysis" (or DFA, which is a measurement method based mainly on optical analysis of the fluid at given coordinates in the well) may provide real time measurements of fluid properties while pumping out the reservoir fluid at selected stations (i.e. at selected elevation values). These DFA methods provide information on composition of groups of molecules, for instance, the group of C1, the group of C2-C5 or the group of C6+ (i.e. the molecules with <NUM> or more than <NUM> carbons). DFA methods also provide GOR (for "Gas oil ratio") and live downhole fluid density. Nevertheless, no individual information regarding the individual cuts above C<NUM>, i.e. Ci><NUM> cuts (i.e. molecules with i carbons, i being strictly higher than <NUM>) may be drawn from DFA measurements: DFA only provide the grouped weight concentration of the C6+ group.

In brief, the mud gas service (GWD) cannot quantify full cuts heavier than C6 and optical fluid techniques (DFA) only deliver a lumped C6+ cut at selected stations (i.e. at selected elevation values).

Based on this sparse set of data (C1 to C5 and C1, C2-C5, C6+), there is a need to determine information on higher full cuts (for instance, C7,. , C30) in a thermodynamically consistent and vertically continuous approach.

The invention relates to a method of determination of fluid characteristics in a well. Said method comprises:.

Mass ratios are provided by DFA measurements. For instance, the mass ratio xm1 may be associated with the set of hydrocarbon cuts C1, the mass ratio xm2-<NUM> may be associated with the set of hydrocarbon cuts C2-C5, mass ratio xm6+ may be associated with the set of hydrocarbon cuts C6 and above.

The received molecular ratio is a molecular ratio of a cut (e.g. C1 or C3) provided by GWD measurements.

It also is possible to receive additional molecular ratios information in order to increase the resolution of the determination of step /d/. For instance, such molecular ratios may be related to C1 to C5 cuts and provided by GWD measurements. In that case, it is also possible to normalize such additional molecular ratios with the molecular ratio received in step /c/.

Each set of cuts having a molecular weight (e.g. the molecular weight of the set of cuts C2-C5 may be noted Mw<NUM>-<NUM>), it may be possible to multiply the molecular weight (e.g. Mw<NUM>-<NUM>) by the mass ratio (e.g. xm2-<NUM>) to obtain a molecular ratio (e.g. of cut C2-C5).

The converted/normalized molecular ratio of cut k (respectively k-l) is associated with the member xk of the sequence (respectively the sum of the members xk to xl).

Therefore, the parameter (α,β) may be determined and thus, any molecular ratio <MAT> (n being an integer) may be computed for a given elevation value.

The normalization with an external molecular ratio may ease the convergence of the value of the molecular weight. Without such normalization, the molecular weight may not converge.

In addition, the estimated molecular weight may represent hydrocarbon cuts having more than k carbons.

In a possible embodiment, the stabilization criteria of step /f/ may comprise at least one following condition:.

For instance, ΔM may be initially set to a value between <NUM> and <NUM>.

In a possible embodiment, ΔM may be initially set a mean value for various fluids compositions examined in laboratory conditions.

The invention relates also to a broader method to determine fluid characteristics for a plurality of elevation values in a well which enables the above mentioned method. Said latter method may comprise:.

Then, it is possible to determine, for any elevation value z, any molecular ratio <MAT> (n being an integer), assuming that <MAT>.

In addition, the stabilization criteria of step /iii/ may comprise at least one following condition:.

A second aspect relates to a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium, having thereon a computer program comprising program instructions. The computer program is loadable into a data-processing unit and adapted to cause the data-processing unit to carry out the method described above when the computer program is run by the data-processing unit.

Other features and advantages of the method and apparatus disclosed herein will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings.

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:.

<FIG> is a flow chart describing a possible embodiment of the present invention to determine any molecular fraction for a given elevation value.

In order to describe the relation between concentrations of various cuts, it is possible to develop models. These models should be able to provide a simplified but robust fluid description theory adapted to the mudlogging and sampling contexts and based on few measurements, possibly biased (OBM filtrate pollution, mud gas contaminants.

For instance, it is possible to use a model developed by<NPL>) which postulates that the molecular fraction xn of the hydrocarbon cut of rank n is related to the previous cut concentration xn-<NUM> by the formula: <MAT> with α,β two parameters to be determined.

The two α and β parameters (both comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, unitless) characterize the chemistry of a hydrocarbon fluid at a given depth; α mainly controls the concentration of heavy cuts while β drives the light ones. α deals with the logarithmic decay of the concentration of each cut while β adds an extra-curvature to the composition pattern.

When known, α and β can be used to predict a fluid composition (i.e. xn for each n in [<NUM>;<NUM>] for instance) by extrapolating the concentration of a given cut to the next ones.

When unknown, α and β may be determined based on a regression approach (for instance). To determine α and β, the following steps may be executed.

It is possible to receive GWD measurements (<NUM>) of various lights cuts (for instance C1 to C6 or to Ck, with <NUM>>k><NUM>) for each elevation values z in the well. These GWD measurements are values representing molecular ratio of the different cuts. These measurements are optional as they improve the resolution of the below process but are not mandatory.

In addition, it is possible to receive DFA measurements (<NUM>) of various grouped cuts (for instance C1, C2-C5 and C6+ or Ck+) for various elevation values in a set of values {z<NUM>,. , zn} in the well. These DFA measurements are values representing mass ratio of the different group of cuts.

For DFA values at a given elevation value z (<NUM>), it is possible to convert them into molecular ratio (step <NUM>). Indeed, the molecular weight (Mw) of each cut in C1, C2, C3, C4, C5 (Mw<NUM>, Mw<NUM>, Mw<NUM>, Mw<NUM>, Mw<NUM>) may be known (e.g. tabulated values) and the molecular weight of the grouped cut C6+ (Mw<NUM>+) may be approximated by a first mean value (<NUM>) of different known fluids examined in laboratory conditions.

Once, this transformation performed (i.e. mass ratio value transformed into molecular ratio value), it is possible to normalize the DFA values (step <NUM>). This normalization may comprise the division of each converted cuts values (of cuts C1, C2-C5 and C6+) by a value of any other cut (e.g. C3) expressed originally in molecular fraction (molecular ratio received from GWD measurement for instance). The normalized values of DFA values are noted: x<NUM>-DFA, x<NUM>-<NUM>-DFA, x<NUM>+-DFA.

It is also possible to normalize the GWD values (step <NUM>). This normalization may comprise the division of each received cuts values (of cuts C1, C2, C3, C4, C5 and C6) by the values of the same cut used for the normalization of the DFA converted cuts values. The normalized values of GWD values are noted: x<NUM>-GWD, x<NUM>-GWD, x<NUM>-GWD, x<NUM>-GWD, x<NUM>-GWD, x<NUM>-GWD.

The normalizations make possible the comparison of GWD and DFA measurements and increase the convergence.

Once, DFA values and GWD values are normalized, the values α and β (<NUM>) are determined (step <NUM>). For instance, this determination is based on the minimization of the sum (or weighted sum) of distances (i.e. the distance between x and y being d(x,y)) of the values of the curve defined by <MAT> and the normalized values of DFA and/or GWD. For instance, the distances to minimize may be: <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT>.

In addition, it is possible to include in the minimization process some additional distances based on ratio. For instance: <MAT>.

In a possible embodiment, it is possible to exclude from the minimization process the distance with cuts C1 and C2 alone (e.g. d(x<NUM>,x<NUM>-GWD), d(x<NUM>,x<NUM>-DFA), and d(x<NUM>,x<NUM>-GWD)) as these distances may carry artefacts/noises related to biological phenomena.

As α and β are values in [<NUM>;<NUM>], it is possible to start the minimization process (of a sum of above mentioned distances) with α = <NUM> and β = <NUM> and modify α and β (for instance, by dichotomy) to improve the computed sum. For instance, it is possible to compute every possible couple (α ; β) in [<NUM>;<NUM>]<NUM> with a step of <NUM> (for instance) and to determine (α ; β) that minimalizes the computed sum.

The minimization process may compute the sum of the square of each above mentioned distances instead of simply the sum of said distances (mean-square method).

Once, α and β are determined (<NUM>), the value of Mw<NUM>+ is computed (step <NUM>) based on the following formula: <MAT> with ΔM(g/mol) is the molecular weight increment between two subsequent cuts, generally comprised for pure alkanes between <NUM> (one carbon increment) and <NUM>/mol (a -CH2- increment) and k a cut value (for instance set to <NUM> for computing Mw<NUM>+).

The value of ΔM (<NUM>ΔM) is first set to an arbitrary value between <NUM> and <NUM> (for instance <NUM> or a mean value for various fluids compositions examined in laboratory conditions).

The test <NUM> verifies a stabilization criterion. Such stabilization criterion may comprise one below condition or a combination (and/or) of below conditions:.

If the stabilization criterion is not verified (i.e. all conditions or at least one condition is not met, test <NUM>, output NOK), the steps <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are reiterated.

If the stabilization criterion is verified (i.e. all conditions or at least one condition is met, test <NUM>, output OK), the values of α and β are output (<NUM>).

Thanks to the determination of α and β for the elevation value z, it is then possible to determine any molecular fraction xn of the hydrocarbon cut of rank n (at the elevation value z) by applying the following formula <MAT> and by knowing at least x<NUM>.

<FIG> is a flow chart describing a possible embodiment of the present invention to determine any molecular fraction of cuts for any elevation values.

In this embodiment, the process described in <FIG> (i.e. the block <NUM>) is executed for a plurality of elevation values z<NUM>, z<NUM>, z<NUM>, etc. (i.e. step 100a for z<NUM>, step 100b for z<NUM>, step 100c for z<NUM>, etc.). The plurality of elevation values are elevation values of DFA measurements.

Therefore, a plurality of couples α and β (i.e. 201a, 202b, 202c, etc.) may be determined as the output of the processes 100a, 100b, 100c, etc. Once these plurality of couples (α ; β) are determined, it is possible to determine (steps 202ab, 202ac, etc.), for each couple (zi; zj)i>j' a molecular weight increment ΔMij based on the following formula: <MAT> with g the gravitational constant, T the mean temperature at elevation values zi and zj, R the gas constant.

Therefore, if the process <NUM> is executed for n elevation level, <MAT> molecular weight increments ΔMij are determined (e.g. <NUM>, <NUM>).

Thus, it is possible to determine ΔM, the mean value of all determined molecular weight increments ΔMij (step <NUM>).

If the value ΔM is stabilized (i.e. the value of ΔM is very close to the value of the molecular weight increment ΔM used in step <NUM> of <FIG>, e.g. the difference being less than <NUM>-<NUM> g/mol) (test <NUM>, output OK), the values of (α ; β) for each elevation level and the value of ΔM are returned (<NUM>).

If the value ΔM is not stabilized, the value of ΔM used in step <NUM> of <FIG> is replaced by the value of ΔM and the steps 100a, 100b, 100c, 201a, 201b, 201c, 202ab, 202ac, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are reiterated.

Test <NUM> may also take into account a maximal number of iterations (e.g. if the number of iteration is greater than a predetermined number of times, the values of (α ; β) for each elevation value and the value of ΔM are returned (<NUM>)).

Thanks to the determination of α, β and ΔM for a plurality of elevation values, it is then possible to determine any molecular fraction xn of the hydrocarbon cut of rank n (at any elevation value z) by applying the following formulas <MAT> and <MAT> (by knowing at least x<NUM> for each elevation value z). <MAT> may also be determined based on the knowledge of α and ΔM (at any elevation value z).

<FIG> is a flow chart describing a possible determination of the molecular volume for any elevation value and for a group of cuts C6+.

The molecular volume for full cuts C1 to C5 may be known and tabulated. Nevertheless, the molecular volume for the group of cuts C6+ is unknown due to the presence of isomers in the various cuts above C6.

To determine the molecular volume for the group of cuts C6+ (i.e. <MAT>), the gas-oil volume ratio at the surface (or GOR, <NUM>) obtained by DFA measurements is received.

In addition, the molecular weight of the group of cuts C6+ (<NUM>) may be obtained based on the above mentioned formula <MAT>, α being determined thanks to the process described in relation to <FIG> and ΔM being determined thanks to the process described in relation to <FIG>.

Furthermore, it is possible to determine the molecular ratio xi (<NUM>) of each cuts i (i><NUM>, i integer) thanks to the values of α and β determined by the process described in relation to <FIG>: <MAT>, the first values of xi being known thanks to the GWD measurements.

Thus, once all these values received, it is possible to determine the molecular volume for the group of cuts C6+ (step <NUM>) for each elevation values where a DFA measurement is performed. Indeed, it is possible to express that: <MAT> (k=<NUM>, for instance)
considering that :.

Indeed, the GOR value may be expressed by the following formula: <MAT>.

Once the molecular volume for the group of cuts C6+ (step <NUM>) <MAT> are determined for a plurality of elevation values z (these elevation values are elevation values of stations where DFA measurements took place), it is verified that the values <MAT> are proportional to the values of Mw<NUM>+(z). In particular, the coefficients γ and δ are determined (step <NUM>) to minimize the distance of points of coordinates <MAT> (z in the elevation values stations where DFA measurements took place) with the curve defined by γ. Mw<NUM>+(z) + δ.

If the residue of the minimization (e.g. the sum of the distances of points of coordinates <MAT> with the defined curve γ. Mw<NUM>+(z) + δ) is bigger than a predetermined threshold (test <NUM>, output OK), the measured GOR value is modified within the known uncertainty range defined per tool type (because it is assumed that the GOR value may comprise important level of noises during the measurements) (step <NUM>). This modification of the GOR value (which is in the interval [<NUM>,<NUM>]) may be performed by dichotomy.

If the residue of the minimization is not bigger than a predetermined threshold (test <NUM>, output NOK), the value of γ and δ are returned (<NUM>).

Test <NUM> may also take into account a maximal number of iterations (e.g. if the number of iteration is greater than a predetermined number of times, the values of γ and δ are returned, <NUM>).

Then, based on the values of γ, δ,and Mw<NUM>+(z), it is possible to determine any molecular volume for any elevation value and for a group of cuts C6+ by applying the following formulae: <MAT> <MAT>.

<FIG> is a flow chart describing a possible determination of the critical temperature for a group of cuts C6+.

To determine the critical temperature for the group of cuts C6+ (i.e. Tc<NUM>+(z)), the downhole fluid density (derived from pressure gradients and/or downhole measurements like DFA, or ρ(z) <NUM>) is received.

The critical pressure of the group of cuts C6+ may be determined by tabulated data as this value is quite well regular and predictable. Therefore it is possible to use a predetermined function or abacus (<NUM>) to determine the critical pressure of the group of cuts C6+ (i.e. Pc<NUM>+, function of the molecular weight, for instance).

Thus, once all these values are received, it is possible to determine Tc<NUM>+, the critical temperature for the group of cuts C6+ (step <NUM>) for each elevation values where a DFA measurement is performed. Indeed, it is possible to express that: <MAT> considering that:.

Therefore, it is possible to write that: <MAT>.

In addition, it is noted that <MAT> and Pc = <MAT>. Each xi may be known according to the method described in relation to <FIG>. Each Tci and Pci (for i<<NUM>) are known and tabulated. As detailed above, the critical pressure of the group of cuts C6+ (i.e. Pc<NUM>+) may be determined thanks to an abacus. Therefore, only Tc<NUM>+is unknown. <MAT> <MAT>.

Once Tc<NUM>+ is determined (step <NUM>, resolution of the above formula that contains only one unknown value, for instance by non-analytical method) for a plurality of elevation values z (these elevation values are elevation values of stations where DFA measurements took place), it is verified that the values ln(Tc<NUM>+(z)) are proportional to the values of Mw<NUM>+(z).

In particular, the coefficients ε and ω are determined (step <NUM>) to minimize the distance of points of coordinates (ln(Tc<NUM>+(z)), Mw<NUM>+(z)) (z in the elevation values stations where DFA measurements took place) with the curve defined by ε. Mw<NUM>+(z) + ω.

If the residue of the minimization (e.g. the sum of the distances of points of coordinates (ln(Tc<NUM>+(z)), Mw<NUM>+(z)) with the defined curve ε. Mw<NUM>+(z) + ω) is bigger than a predetermined threshold (test <NUM>, output OK), the measured downhole fluid density value is modified within the known uncertainty range defined per tool type (because it is assumed that the downhole fluid density value may comprise important level of noise during the measurements) (step <NUM>). This modification of the downhole fluid density value may be performed by dichotomy.

If the residue of the minimization is not bigger than a predetermined threshold (test <NUM>, output NOK), the value of ε and ω are returned (<NUM>).

Test <NUM> may also take into account a maximal number of iterations (e.g. if the number of iteration is greater than a predetermined number of times, the values of ε and ω are returned, <NUM>).

Then, based on the values of ε, ω,and Mw<NUM>+(z), it is possible to determine any compressibility factor C(P,T,z) for any elevation value by applying the following formulae: <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT>.

Part of these flow charts (<FIG>) can represent steps of an example of a computer program which may be executed by the device of <FIG>.

<FIG> is a possible embodiment for a device that enables the present invention.

In this embodiment, the device <NUM> comprise a computer, this computer comprising a memory <NUM> to store program instructions loadable into a circuit and adapted to cause circuit <NUM> to carry out the steps of the present invention when the program instructions are run by the circuit <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> may also store data and useful information for carrying the steps of the present invention as described above.

This computer comprises an input interface <NUM> for the reception of data used for the above method according to the invention and an output interface <NUM> for providing the above mentioned data.

To ease the interaction with the computer, a screen <NUM> and a keyboard <NUM> may be provided and connected to the computer circuit <NUM>.

Then, at least, the following thermodynamical properties of a fluid can be derived from determined values xn, Mwn, <MAT> and C(P,T) (see above): <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> with p the rank to the first cut in the liquid phase and q the rank of the last cut in the liquid phase.

Expressions such as "comprise", "include", "incorporate", "contain", "is" and "have" are to be construed in a non-exclusive manner when interpreting the description and its associated claims, namely construed to allow for other items or components which are not explicitly defined also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed in be a reference to the plural and vice versa.

Claim 1:
A method of determination of fluid characteristics in a well, wherein said method is implemented by a computer and comprises:
/a/ receiving mass ratios (<NUM>) provided by a Downhole Fluid Analysis (DFA) measurement, each mass ratio being associated with a set of hydrocarbon cuts, and receiving a molecular ratio (<NUM>) provided by a Gas While Drilling (GWD) measurement, said received molecular ratio being associated with a set of hydrocarbon cuts ;
/b/ converting received mass ratios (<NUM>) into molecular ratios based on predetermined molecular weights, each predetermined molecular weight being associated with a set of hydrocarbon cuts (<NUM>);
/c/ normalizing (<NUM>) converted molecular ratios with the received molecular ratio;
/d/ determining (<NUM>) parameters (α, β) of a sequence defined by xn = <MAT>, xn being a molecular fraction of the hydrocarbon cut of rank n, n being an integer, each parameter (α, β) being comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, each normalized molecular ratio being associated with a member of the sequence or a sum of members of the sequence, at least a difference between said normalized molecular ratio and the associated member or the associated sum of members being minimized;
/e/ computing (<NUM>) an estimated molecular weight of hydrocarbon cuts comprising molecules having k or more carbons (Mwk+) function of <MAT>, where k being an integer and ΔM being a predetermined value representing a molecular weight increment between two hydrocarbon cuts;
/f/ if a stabilization criteria is not met (<NUM>), the steps /b/ to /f/ are iterated with the estimated molecular weight as one of the predetermined molecular weights in step /b/, wherein the stabilization criteria of step /f/ comprises at least one following condition:
- an absolute difference of a value of α between two iterations of steps /b/-/f/ is lower than a predetermined threshold;
- an absolute difference of a value of the estimated molecular weight between two iterations of steps /b/-/f/ is lower than a predetermined threshold;
- a number of iteration of steps /b/-/f/ exceeds a predetermined value;
/g/ outputting (<NUM>) the values of the parameters determined in step /d/.