Acoustic Static Bottomhole Pressures

Abstract

ABSTRACT Acoustic instruments have been used routinely for many years as an aid in analyzing well performance of normal-pressure oil producers.1 Recent developments in equipment and techniques now permit more-accurate calculations of acoustic static bottomhole pressures at surface pressures up to 15,000 psi in corrosive (CO2 and H2S) environments. Equations and charts are presented herein for determining static bottomhole pressures from acoustic and well data. Also, a special technique is recommended for shutting-in a well which in most cases will yield more-accurate results. This method has been programmed for an inexpensive, portable notebook-size computer which can be used in the field to easily perform these calculations.