Lessons Learned From Cross-Validation of Fiber Optics and Production Logging Cluster Performance Assessment in the Unconventional Wells

Abstract

The well design with long lateral section and multistage frac completion has been proven effective for development of the unconventional reservoirs. Top-tier well production in unconventional reservoir can be achieved by optimizing hydraulic completion and stimulation design, which necessitates an understanding of flow behavior and hydrocarbon contribution allocation. Historically, conventional production logging (PL) surveys were scarcely used in unconventional reservoirs due to limited and often expensive conveyance options, as well as complicated and non-unique inflow interpretations caused by intricate and changing multi-phase flow behavior (Prakash et al., 2008). The assessment of the cluster performance gradually shifted towards distributed acoustic (DAS) and temperature (DTS) sensing methods using fiber optics cable, which continuously gained popularity in the industry. Fiber optics measurements were anticipated to generate production profiles along the lateral with sub-cluster resolution to assist with optimal completions design selection. Encapsulation of the fiber in the carbon rod provided alternative conveyance method for retrievable DFO measurements, which gained popularity due to cost-efficiency and operational convenience (Gardner et al., 2015). Recent utilization of micro-sensor technology in PL tools, (Abbassi et al, 2018, Donovan et al, 2019) allowed dramatic reduction of the size and the weight of the PL toolstring without compromising wellbore coverage by sensor array. Such ultra-compact PL toolstring could utilize the carbon rod as a taxi and provide mutually beneficial and innovative surveillance combination to evaluate production profile in the unconventional reservoirs. Array holdup and velocity measurements across wellbore from PL would reveal more details regarding multi-phase flow behavior, which could be used for cross-validation and constraining of production inflow interpretation based on DFO measurements. This paper summarizes the lessons learned, key observations and best practices from the unique 4 well program, where such innovative combination was tested in gas rich Duvernay shale reservoir.