Methodology of production log interpretation.

The methodology of PL analysis is the essentially same from one interpretation package to the other (with
the exception of statistical analysis packages). The interpretation packages are however much more
rigorous to generate a more accurate analysis and allow the interpreter to spend more time on analysis and
less time on manipulating the data.

PL analysis in single phase flow

By single phase flow we mean a single fluid type – oil, gas or water. Because there is only one fluid type
there is no slip velocity.

1) Make a crossplot of spinner response vs line speed to generate the spinner calibration.
2) Apply the spinner calibration to log spinner and line speed data to get apparent fluid velocity for
each zone.
3) Correct the apparent fluid velocity to average fluid velocity.
4) Calculate downhole flowrates using casing / tubing internal diameter.
5) Convert from downhole units to surface units using PVT data allowing for gas being released from
solution (if relevant).
6) Present the results in a way meaningful to the client.

PL analysis in 2 phase flow

By two phase flow we mean two fluid types which can be gas/oil, gas/water or oil/water.

Conventional multi-phase production log interpretation follows the same generic pattern however we have
to consider phase holdup’s (fractional occupancy of the phases) and slip velocities (due to gravity less
dense fluids will travel up the well at a faster speed than heavier fluids).

1) Make a crossplot of spinner response vs line speed to generate the spinner calibration.
2) Apply the spinner calibration to log spinner and line speed data to get apparent fluid velocity for each
zone.
3) Correct the apparent fluid velocity to average fluid velocity.
4) Generate PVT data for downhole fluids or read end points of log.
5) Generate the downhole holdup profile using fluid ID tools.
6) Determine phase slip velocities from charts or correlations.
7) Calculate downhole phase superficial velocities using holdup and slip velocity.
8) Convert downhole superficial phase velocities to downhole barrels per day.
9) Convert from downhole units to surface units using PVT data allowing for gas being released from
solution (if relevant).
10) Convert from downhole barrels per day to surface units using PVT data.
11) Present the results in a way meaningful to the client.

PL analysis in 3 phase flow

In three phase flow oil, gas and water are flowing at the same time. For three phase flow it is necessary to
have two fluid identification tools.

Typically the 2 fluid identification tools we use are capacitance water holdup to determine the water holdup
together with density to determine the remaining oil and gas holdups. The water holdup can be read directly
off a chart of fractional response vs holdup for the capacitance tool. Alternatively the Gas Holdup Tool can
be used to determine gas holdup which can then be used with density to determine the remaining water and oil
holdups.

The problem with the capacitance tool is that it is ideally a water / hydrocarbon tool but that it has different
end points for oil and gas. This means that the user must make an estimate of the hydrocarbon end point
somewhere between the gas and oil frequency which is itself dependent upon the gas / oil ratio which is not
known..

Methodology of conventional 3 phase production log interpretation.

1) Make a crossplot of spinner response vs line speed to generate the spinner calibration.
2) Apply the spinner calibration to log spinner and line speed data to get apparent fluid velocity for each
zone.
3) Correct the apparent fluid velocity to average fluid velocity.
4) Generate PVT data for downhole fluids.
5) Generate the downhole holdup profile using fluid ID tools:
a) Determine the water holdup directly by reference to a fractional response ve holdup chart for the
capacitance tool.
b) Having calculated the water holdup, calculate the oil and gas holdups.
6) Determine phase slip velocities from charts or correlations.
7) Calculate downhole phase superficial velocities using holdups and slip velocity.
8) Convert downhole superficial phase velocities to downhole barrels per day.
9) Convert from downhole barrels per day to surface units using PVT data.
10) Present the results in a way meaningful to the client.

As an alternative to using the capacitance and density tools for 3 phase analysis it is possible to use the gas
holdup and density tools. In this event step 5) would be:
5) Generate the downhole holdup profile using fluid ID tools:
a) Determine the gas holdup using the gas holdup tool.
b) Having calculated the gas holdup, calculate the oil and water holdups.

Calculation of water holdup from the capacitance tool:

The first step is to determine the fractional tool response (the tool response is normalised because each
tool has slightly different end points). End points for hydrocarbon and water may be read off the shut in
log.

Fractional response is the calculated from:

Fr = (freq meas – freq oil) / (freq water – freq oil)

The measured frequency is the tool frequency during flow.

For example freq water = 1360 cps, freq oil = 3850 cps. Tool reading when logging = 1550 cps.

Fractional response = (1550-3850)/(3850-1360) = 0.924.

Referring to the (somewhat idealised) chart below:

SONDEX FLUID CAPACITANCE TOOL

FRACTIONAL TOOL RESPONSE vs HOLDUP
1.2

1
FRACTIONALTOOL RESPONSE

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2

WATER HOLDUP

A fractional response of 0.924 corresponds to a water holdup of 0.78. Water holdup, Yw = 0.78

Calculation of water holdup, oil holdup and gas holdup (using Capacitance and Density tools):

Having established water holdup, Yw, oil and gas holdups are determined by using density data. The
downhole densities of all 3 phases must be known.

Water Holdup, Yw = Measured directly from Capacitance Water Holdup tool using Freq. / Yw chart.

Oil holdup, Yo = ((dens meas – dens gas) + Yw (dens gas – dens water)) / (dens oil – dens gas)

Gas holdup, Yg = 1 – Yw – Yo or:

Gas holdup, Yg = ((dens oil – dens meas) + Yw (dens water – dens oil)) / (dens oil – dens gas)

Calculation of gas holdup, oil holdup and water holdup (using Gas Holdup and Density tools):

If the well pressure is below about 3000 psi the changes with changing oil/water ratio on the gas holdup
tool can be assumed to be within the error of the final result. Having established gas holdup, Yg, oil and
water holdups are determined by using density data. The downhole densities of all 3 phases must be
known.

Gas Holdup, Yg = Measured directly from Gas Holdup tool using correction algorithm.

Oil holdup, Yo = ((dens meas. – dens water) + Yg (dens water – dens gas)) / (dens oil – dens water)

Water holdup, Yw = 1 – Yg – Yo

Slip Velocity to use in 3 phase flow:

Slip velocities for 3 phase flow are not well defined. Basically there are two slip velocity models:

When oil and gas occupy the smallest holdup they are combined and an equal slip velocity for gas plus oil
is used. When oil and water occupy the smallest holdup they are combined and set to zero and slip velocity
gas for is used.

When holdups for oil, gas and water are known they are combined with total fluid velocity and slip
velocities to generate superficial velocities for each phase.

The superficial velocities are then converted to downhole flowrate and then corrected to surface equivalent
flowrate.

Calculation of superficial velocities when water is the biggest holdup:

Yh = Water (Heavy) phase holdup.

Yl = Oil phase holdup + Gas phase holdup. Both are assumed to have the same slip velocity, Vs.

The following equations are used to calculate the superficial phase velocities:

Qwater ft/min = (Yh x Qtotal ft/min) – (Yh x (1-Yh) x Vslip light ft/min)

Ql ft/min = Qtotal ft/min – Qwater ft/min

Ql ft/min = Qoil ft/min + Qgas ft/min

Qoil ft/min = Yo / (Yo+Yg) * Ql ft/min

Qgas ft/min = Qtotal ft/min – Qw ft/min – Qo ft/min

Calculation of superficial velocities where gas is the biggest holdup:

Yh = Water + Oil (Heavy) phase holdup. Both are assumed to have the same slip velocity, Vs.
Yl = Gas phase holdup.

The following equations are used to calculate the superficial phase velocities:

Qoil+water ft/min = (Yh x Qtotal ft/min) – (Yh x (1-Yh) x Vslip light ft/min)

Ql, gas ft/min = Qtotal ft/min – Q(oil+water) ft/min

Qh ft/min = Qoil ft/min + Qwater ft/min

Qoil ft/min = Yo / (Yo+Yw) * Qh ft/min

Qwater ft/min = Qtotal ft/min – Qg ft/min – Qo ft/min

Equations (Two phase flow):
Apparent Fluid Velocity, ft/min = ((RPS / Slope, rps/ft/min) + Threshold, ft/min) – Line Speed, ft/min

Average Fluid Velocity = Apparent Fluid Velocity x Flow Profile Correction Factor (0.83 if not known)

Calculation of phase holdup’s (Densities of both phases are downhole densities):

Heavy Holdup (Yh) = (Density meas. – density light phase) / (Density heavy phase – density light phase).

Light Holdup (Yl) = 1 – Yh

Slip velocity estimation:

Gas – Liquid Flow Correlation (Smolen)

If Yh < 0.05 then the slip velocity of gas = 0 otherwise:

Vslip gas = 60 (.95-Yg^2)^.5 + 1.5

Oil – Water Flow Correlation (Smolen)

If Yw < 0.15 then the slip velocity of oil = 0 otherwise:

Vslip oil = 39.4 (Dens water – Dens oil)^.25 exp((-0.788 Yo ln((1.85/(Dens water – Dens oil))

Correction to slip velocity for deviation:

Deviated Slip velocity = Vertical slip vel x (1 + deviation from vertical in degrees x 0.04)

Calculation of superficial velocities:

Qh = Heavy phase superficial velocity, Ql = Light phase superficial velocity.

Qh ft/min = (Yh x Qtotal ft/min) – (Yh x (Yl x Vslip light ft/min))

Ql ft/min = Qtotal ft/min – Qheavy ft/min

Conversion from superficial velocity to downhole BPD:

BPD = ft/min x Internal Diameter inches^2 x 1.4.

Conversion to surface units using PVT data:

Oil Formation volume factor, Reservoir BBL / Standard BBL

Oil solution GOR, Standard cu ft / Standard BBL oil.
Gas Formation volume factor, Reservoir BBL / MSCF.

Oil: STBOPD = Downhole oil / Oil formation volume factor

Water (if used): STB Water = Downhole water / water formation volume factor

Gas: MSCFD gas = (Downhole gas / Gas formation volume factor) + (STBOPD * (Oil Solution GOR/1000))
 PRODUCTION LOGGING EXAMPLES
TWO PHASE (OIL/GAS) PRODUCTION LOG FOR EXAMPLE ANALYSIS

0 150 -9 21 0 1
GAMMA SPINNER DENSIT
-200 RAY 200 SPEEDS 2800 Y 3000
LINE PRESSUR
-200 SPEEDS 200 245 E 255
LSP TEMPERATUR
UP E
8150

8200

8250 DENSITY

8300

8350

8400

This log is the basis for our PLT interpretation by hand. The following text should be used in conjunction
with spreadsheet PLINT oil-gas example.xls.
Analysis of a 2 phase (gas and oil) Production log
In this analysis, for familiarity, we will use imperial units. Starting with the illustrated production log
above.

Step 1: Calibration of the spinner response.

Spinner tools will have different responses due to the pitch of the impeller and to a certain extent the fluid
that the mixture is in. The PLT job will have multiple up and down passes at different line speeds which
are used to calibrate the spinner response. For this exercise, for simplicity we will determine the spinner
response in the sump (which will give us the response slope and threshold) and assume that this response
is valid for the rest of the zones.

Referring to the log. In the sump from 8390-8410 ft we can read off the following values for line speed and
spinner response. Line speeds are in ft/min (up is negative). Spinner response is in RPS. D1 is downward
logging pass 1 etc.

LSpeed D1 LSpeed D2 LSpeed D3 LSpeed D4 LSpeed U1 LSpeed U2 LSpeed U3 LSpeed U4

37 62 115 162 -27 -55 -115 -152
RPS D1 RPS D2 RPS D3 RPS D4 RPSU1 RPSU2 RPSU3 RPSU4
2.1 3.2 6.8 9.6 -1.5 -2.8 -6.6 -8.1

These values can then be plotted on a crossplot and a best fit (linear regression) line fitted. From the best
fit line we can determine spinner response slope and the threshold.

The crossplot of this data using CROSSPLOT.XLS is illustrated below.

Spinner Crossplot
12

10 y = 0.0614x - 0.3481

6
Spinner RPS

2
Dow nw ard
0 Upw ard
-200 -150 -100 -50 0 50 100 150 200
-2 Linear (Upw ard)

-4 Linear (Dow nw ard)

-6

y = 0.0547x + 0.0229 -8

-10

Line Speed
From this we get the slope of each line and the regression value when the line intercepts line speed zero.
To get the intercept in ft/min at RPS zero we divide the line speed zero value by the slope.

The resulting spinner calibration is:

Threshold calculation Lspd Zero Slope Intercept Ft/min

Intercept Down -0.3481 0.0614 5.7
Intercept Up 0.0229 0.0547 -0.4

We will use the downward spinner calibration. Slope = 0.614 RPS/Ft/min, Threshold = 5.7 ft/min. This
apparent threshold is a little high however we do not know the condition of the bearings or the well fluid.
Later we will refine it to generate zero fluid velocity in the sump.

Step 2: Calculation of apparent fluid velocity for each zone.

There are different methods to calculate apparent fluid velocity. The method we will use is:

Ft/min = ((RPS / Slope) + Threshold) – Line Speed

The threshold velocity is added to the total fluid velocity as it is the mixture velocity that the spinner
cannot see due to it being below the threshold required to get the spinner rotating. Line speed is subtracted
from the calculated total mixture velocity, as it is a component of the total. We want the flowrate at line
speed zero. Reading off the log at depths above each perforation where flow is steady we can input the
data into PLINT.XLS. Below are the results using the above formula.

Depth Spinner RPS Line Speed Slope Threshold Apparent Mixture Velocity
ft RKB RPS ft/min rps/ft/min ft/min ft/min
8175 17.2 115 0.0614 5.7 170.8
8300 8.6 115 0.0614 5.7 30.8
8400 6.8 115 0.0614 5.7 1.4

The sump calculation shows a fluid velocity of 1.4 ft/min. This is assumed to be zero in reality and may be
the result in errors of our readings off the log. The fluid velocity for the sump is set to zero by adjusting the
threshold velocity. This new threshold velocity is then applied to all the zones. In this case it does not
affect the results much but in a very low fluid velocity well errors in threshold velocity can make a
difference.

Depth Spinner RPS Line Speed Slope Threshold Apparent Mixture Velocity
ft RKB RPS ft/min rps/ft/min ft/min ft/min
8175 17.2 115 0.0614 4.3 169.43
8300 8.6 115 0.0614 4.3 29.37
8400 6.8 115 0.0614 4.3 0.05
Step 3: Calculation of average fluid velocity for each zone.

The fluid velocity the spinner is measuring

is at its centralised position in the
flowstream. Looking at the diagram below
we can see a graphical representation of
the fluid velocity flow profile across the
wellbore. The relationship between
measured (apparent) fluid velocity and
average fluid velocity is dependent on the
degree of turbulence and the relationship
of spinner blade diameter to wellbore
diameter. The calculation to correct for
spinner blade diameter is beyond this
simplified analysis. Therefore we will use
the industry accepted relationship where
average velocity is 0.83 of apparent
velocity. In reality for turbulent flow this
value can vary from about 0.75 to 0.95 and in laminar flow down to about 0.5. Laminar flow is not seen in
multi-phase flow and only becomes important at very low fluid velocities or in large diameter pipe.

This is multi-phase flow so we will assume the flow profile is turbulent and use the generic correction
factor of 0.83 (though for fullbore spinners in turbulent flow the correction factor is often approximately
0.9 and for continuous spinners approximately 0.75). Thus:

Average Fluid Velocity = Apparent Fluid Velocity x 0.83.

Depth Apparent Mixture Velocity Flow profile correction Average Fluid Velocity
ft RKB ft/min factor ft/min
8175 169.4 0.83 140.63
8300 29.4 0.83 24.37
8400 0.0 0.83 0.04

Step 4: Generating PVT data to relate downhole conditions to surface conditions and vica versa.

The produced fluid properties we have are measured at surface conditions. The flowrates we measure at
surface are also at surface conditions. However the responses we measure with our PLT tools are at
downhole conditions of elevated pressure and temperature. We use PVT data (pressure, volume,
temperature relationships) to relate surface properties and flowrates to downhole and also after our
analysis to convert downhole properties and flowrates back to surface conditions.

In ideal conditions the downhole fluid properties will be available from the client however most often they
are measured during the shut in and generated from correlations. The downhole properties are dependent
on the nature of the fluid and the downhole pressure and temperature. The properties required for analysis
and where to obtain them from are:

Survey temperature From PLT log

Survey pressure From PLT log
Surface Oil Flowrate Optional but very useful.
Surface Gas Flowrate Optional but very useful.
Surface Water Flowrate Optional but very useful.
Oil API From client
Oil formation volume factor From client or by correlation.
Oil density downhole From client, from shut in log or by correlation.
GOR at bubble point (Original GOR) From client or by correlation.
Bubble Point Pressure From client or by correlation.
Oil solution GOR at survey pressure and temperature From client or by correlation.
Gas Gravity From client
% Nitrogen, H2S, CO2 From client
Gas formation volume factor From client or by correlation.
Z factor From client or by correlation.
Gas Density downhole From client, from shut in log (if flowing
pressure is not very different from shut in pressure) or by correlation.
Water salinity From client
Water formation volume factor From client or by correlation.
Water density downhole From client, from shut in log or by correlation.

Here is a very generalised summary of the changes in fluid properties from surface to downhole, but
actual properties will depend on the fluid chemistry and downhole pressure and temperature:

• Oil has a larger volume downhole and a lower density than at surface due to elevated temperature
and gas in solution.
• Depending upon the oil bubble point (pressure below which dissolved gas starts to come out of
solution) there will be gas liberated from the oil at wellbore flowing pressure. The greater the difference
between the bubble point pressure and the wellbore flowing pressure the more gas comes out of solution
and the less gas stays in solution.
• The gas that stays in solution is known as solution GOR, Rs.
• Water has a larger volume downhole and a lower density due to temperature.
• The greater the salinity of the water the higher the density.
• Gas has a much lower volume downhole and a higher density than at surface due to elevated
pressure.
• As pressure increases more gas will be dissolved in the oil and above the bubble point of the oil
there will be no free gas.

Generating downhole properties is beyond the scope of this exercise. PL Interpretation manuals will have
the correlations listed and software analysis packeages have them built in. There are many different types
named after different researchers eg Standing’s correlations.

For our interpretation we will use the following properties at survey flowing pressure and temperature:

Oil Formation volume factor 1.42 Reservoir BBL / Standard BBL

Oil density 0.68 g/cc
Oil solution GOR 666 standard cu ft / Standard BBL oil.
Gas Formation volume factor 1.158 Reservoir BBL / MSCF.
Gas density 0.13 g/cc

Gas formation volume factor is normally rcf/scf however in this example it is in bbl / mscf. This is
because we are measuring downhole flow in barrels and we need continuity. To convert from reservoir
cuft / standard cuft (rcf/scf) to bbl/mscfd:

Bbl/mscf = (rcf/scf*1000)/5.615

Step 5: Generating downhole holdup from PVT and fluid identification measurements.
Fluid identification tools include density and capacitance. In 2 phase flow (unless the density contrast
between hydrocarbons and water is beyond the resolution of the density tool) it is best to use density as
using capacitance requires reference to a holdup / response chart (and most likely other corrections).

To calculate heavy phase (oil) and light phase (gas) holdups:

Heavy Holdup (Yh) = (Density meas. – density light phase) / (Density heavy phase – density light phase).

Light Holdup (Yl) = 1 – Yh

The measured density values have been read off the log.

Depth Measured Density Density Oil Density Gas Heavy Light Holdup
downhole downhole Holdup
ft RKB g/cc g/cc g/cc Yh Yl
8175 0.465 0.680 0.130 0.609 0.391
8300 0.635 0.680 0.130 0.918 0.082
8350 0.680 0.130 0.000 1.000

Step 6: Determining slip velocity from correlations.

Slip velocity is the relative velocity of the light phase to the heavy phase. For example if we had a standing
column of water with gas bubbling up through it, the velocity that the gas is bubbling up through the water
is the gas slip velocity.

There are various correlations for slip velocity and usually during computer aided analysis the user has the
option to use the correlation which best fits the data. There are also various charts which can be used to
derive slip velocities. In reality given the complexities of true flow slip velocities cannot be calculated
exactly and the interpreter may need to edit slip velocities to make the interpretation make sense.

We will use the following equations:

Gas – Liquid Flow

In this case Yl = Y gas and Yh = Y water or oil.

If Yh < 0.05 then the slip velocity of gas = 0 otherwise:

Vslip gas = 60 (.95-Yg^2)^.5 + 1.5 – From Smolen

(NB: Halliburton use Vslip gas = 65 (1-Yg)^.5 + 1.5)

Oil – Water Flow

In this case Yl = Y oil and Yh = Y water.

If Yw < 0.15 then the slip velocity of oil = 0 otherwise:

Vslip oil = 39.4 (Dens water – Dens oil)^.25 exp((-0.788 Yo ln((1.85/(Dens water – Dens oil)) – From
Smolen

(NB: Halliburton use a multiplier of 49.1 instead of 39.4)

Using the gas – liquid equation, oil and gas densities and downhole density measurements: at 8175 ft Yh is
0.61 and the slip velocity is 52.2 ft/min. At 8300 ft Yh is 0.92 and the slip velocity is 63.8 ft/min.

In deviated wells up to 45 degrees deviation the slip velocity increases and above 45 degrees it starts to
decrease. A correlation for this is:

Deviated Slip velocity = Vertical slip vel x (1 + deviation in degrees x 0.04)

In our analysis the well deviation is zero so we do not have to modify our slip velocity.

Depth Gas-Liquid Gas-Liquid Correlation

Correlation
ft RKB ft/min ft/min (deviated well)
8175 56.7 56.7
8300 61.3 61.3
8350 0.0 0.0

Step 7: Calculating downhole superficial phase velocities from average flowrate, holdup and slip
velocity.

It is assumed that the spinner measures the total of the heavy and light flowrates including the light phase
flow added contribution due to slip velocity. The superficial velocity is the velocity of the phase if it were
to occupy the whole of the pipe. It is not the true velocity of that phase.

Qh = Heavy phase superficial velocity.

Ql = Light phase superficial velocity.

The following equations are used to calculate the superficial phase velocities:

Qh ft/min = (Yh x Qtotal ft/min) – (Yh x (Yl x Vslip light ft/min))

Ql ft/min = Qtotal ft/min – Qheavy ft/min

For this case Yh is the oil holdup and Vslip is the gas slip velocity.

Depth Qt Vs Heavy Holdup Superficial Oil Vel. Superficial Gas Vel

ft RKB ft/min ft/min Yh ft/min ft/min
8175 140.63 56.7 0.609 72.1 68.5
8300 24.37 61.3 0.918 17.8 6.6
8350 0.04 0.0 0.000 0.0 0.0
Step 8: Calculating downhole flowrates in BPD from superficial phase velocities

The superficial phase flowrates are in ft/min. To convert from ft/min to barrels per day we use the
following equation:

BPD = ft/min x Internal Diameter inches ^2 x 1.4.

If we are using a continuous spinner in tubing the interpreter may wish to factor in the housing and spinner
blade cross sectional area which by reducing flow area increases the fluid velocity adjacent to the spinner.
In this example, using a FBS, we will ignore it.

Depth Superficial Oil Superficial Gas Tubular ID Downhole Oil Downhole Gas
Vel. Vel.
ft RKB ft/min ft/min inches BPD BPD
8175 72.15 68.48 6.184 3862.7 3666.3
8300 17.77 6.60 6.184 951.6 353.3
8350 0.00 0.00 6.184 0.0 0

These flowrates are in downhole barrels they must next be converted to surface units.

Step 9: Calculating surface flowrates in surface units from downhole flowrates in BPD

The units of measure downhole are in barrels, but at surface oil (and water) are in barrels but gas is in
standard cubic feet. We also have to consider the gas that is in solution in the oil at downhole pressure and
temperature that will be liberated from the oil at standard conditions (60 deg F, 15 psia) and so added to
the total gas flowrate. For simplicity gas flowrate is in Mscfd.

We have already listed the PVT properties of our fluids in step 4.:

Oil Formation volume factor 1.42 Reservoir BBL / Standard BBL

Oil solution GOR 666 standard cu ft / Standard BBL oil.
Gas Formation volume factor 1.158 Reservoir BBL / MSCF.

We use the following volume corrections:

Oil: STBOPD = Downhole oil / Oil formation volume factor

Water (if used): STB Water = Downhole water / water formation volume factor

Gas: mscfd gas = (Downhole gas / Gas formation volume factor) + (STBOPD * (Oil Solution GOR/1000))

Depth Downhole Oil Downhole Gas FVF Oil Soln GOR FVF Gas Surface Flow Oil Surface Flow Gas
ft RKB BPD BPD rb/stb scf/stb rb/mscf STBOPD MSCFD
8175 3862.7 3666.3 1.42 666 1.158 2720.23 4977.70
8300 951.6 353.3 1.42 666 1.158 670.13 751.41
8350 0.0 0.0 1.42 666 1.158 0.00 0.0
Step 10: Present the results in a format meaningful to the client

The flowrates we are generating are cumulative. The client is interested in zonal rates. Zonal rates are
calculated by subtraction of the flowrate below the zone from the flowrate above the zone. It is also good
practice to generate percentage contributions of each zone and gas-oil ratio (or water-oil ratio).

Zone Cumulative Oil Zonal Oil Oil Contribution Cumulative Gas Zonal Gas Gas Contribution GOR
STBPD STBPD % MSCFD MSCFD % SCF/BBL
Top 2720.2 2050.1 75.4 4977.7 4226.3 84.9 2061.5
Lower 670.1 670.1 24.6 751.4 749.5 15.1 1118.5
0.0 0.0 0.0 1.9 1.9 0.0 N/A

Refining the results

This analysis is apparently straight forward. However there are several variables which can lead to error.
Therefore if we trust the surface reported flowrates and we have accurate PVT data these variables can be
changed to refine our analysis to match 100% flow downhole to surface reported rates. With judgement
these corrections can be applied to each of the zones

Changing the flow profile correction factor:

If we use a flow profile correction of 0.9 instead of 0.83, both the oil and the gas the flowrates are higher
and the GOR decrease slightly. The total flow has no influence on the calculated holdup or slip velocity.

Perf Cumulative Oil Zonal Oil Oil Contribution Cumulative Gas Zonal Gas Gas Contribution GOR
Depths STBPD STBPD % MSCFD MSCFD % SCF/BBL
Top 2992.6 2251.3 75.2 5373.4 4566.9 85.0 2028.5
Lower 741.3 741.3 24.8 806.6 804.5 15.0 1085.3
0.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 2.0 0.0 N/A

This is a way to match total downhole rate to total rate derived from surface corrected to downhole
conditions though there will be slight changes to GOR due to slip velocity remaining fixed.

Changing the slip velocity:

If we set the gas slip velocities to zero the oil rate is higher and the gas rate is lower. Lowering the slip
velocity increases the heavy phase flowrate.

Perf Cumulative Oil Zonal Oil Oil Contribution Cumulative Gas Zonal Gas Gas Contribution GOR
Depths STBPD STBPD % MSCFD MSCFD % SCF/BBL
Top 3501.8 2586.9 73.9 5088.1 4378.8 86.1 1692.7
Lower 914.9 914.9 26.1 709.3 707.3 13.9 773.0

If we were to increase the gas slip velocity the gas rate would be higher and the oil rate lower. Thus it can
be seen that in a situation where we have a standing water column with oil or gas bubbling up through it
we can adjust the light phase slip velocity until the water rate is zero. A standing water column is when no
water is produced at surface during flow.

This is a way to match the downhole flowrates for each phase to match relative surface flowrates for each
phase after correction from downhole conditions to surface conditions.

Conclusion
Two phase analysis in vertical wells with accurate measurements is reasonably straight forward. However
it can also be seen that in the dynamic flowing conditions occurring during production logging that the
true nature of flow and the correction factors are unknown and have to be assumed. Sometimes PL
analysis software will generate situations that cannot be true, for example oil disappearing into a zone
while gas comes out of the same zone. This is where the skill and experience of the interpreter comes in.

The best advice I can give is to start off looking at the data and forming a hypothesis before proceeding
with the analysis. Often the first ideas about a PL interpretation are incorrect. Writing a description of the
logging curves and how they change helps by making you think to explain why they change. Then perform
the analysis such that the analysis results make sense compared to the log. This is not the ideal way as we
should have no pre-conceived ideas before starting the analysis, but in reality it works best.

Nick
N.D.Ryan
Sondex Training