High-Speed Downhole Memory Recorder and Software Used to Design and Confirm Perforating/Propellant Behavior and Formation Fracturing

Abstract

Abstract Propellants, now sometimes combined with perforating guns, have the potential to clean up damaged perfs, penetrate near-wellbore damage, and create formation fracturing. Although some of these dynamic techniques have been available for years, the lack of a standard measurement and analysis method has restricted their widespread use. Now, improved ultra high-speed downhole memory data recorders and computer software fully incorporating well, perforation, and tool details address this issue. Hardware and software are described. Several demonstration cases show the use of this technology in the field for vertical and deviated cased and open hole wells. Dynamic pressure data are compared with calculations and the realism of the results is shown, as well as how to make procedural and design improvements. The combination of the new recorder and software for the design and evaluation of dynamic well treatments allows the optimization of job design, and the evaluation of post-job results to understand tool performance and improve future tools and applications.