Case History: New Horizons for Down hole Flow Measurements via Coiled Tubing Equipped with Real-Time Downhole Sensors at South Ghawar Field, Saudi Arabia

摘要

During the last five years, one of the most common matrix acidizing enhancement techniques for improving zonal coverage in open hole or cased hole wells has been to conduct a distributed temperature survey (DTS) using coiled tubing (CT) equipped with fiber optic and real-time downhole sensors during the preflush stage — before the main stimulation treatment. Measurements are then used to identify high and low intake zones so the pumping schedule can be modified to selectively place diverters and acidizing fluids with a high degree of control. Once the stimulation treatment has been completed, a final DTS analysis is performed to evaluate the zonal coverage and the effectiveness of the diversion. Even though this technique has provided satisfactory results, alternative methods providing a faster and more accurate understanding of flow distribution between the zones and laterals are needed, especially in cases where there is limited temperature contrast between fluids and the reservoir. An innovative CT real-time flow (CTRF) tool has recently been developed to monitor flow direction and fluid velocity. This measurement is based on the direct measurement of the heat transfer from the sensors to the surrounding fluid using a calorimetric anemometry principle. This article documents the first worldwide use of this technology in a Saudi Aramco injector well and provides perspectives and potential applications for this new measurement.