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RFT

Repeat Formation Tester can take an unlimited number of formation pressure


measurements and up to two fluid samples in a single trip in open hole.

Two sample chambers are available in the tool to take samples from two different
zones, or to take a segregated sample from one zone

Two pretest chambers of 10 cc each are automatically opened after the tool is set to
withdraw 20 cc of fluid at two different rates. The pretest samples are not saved.
Pressure drawdown during this period and the following build-up curve are recorded
at the surface and provide data for formation pressure and permeability calculations.

The formation fluid is made to enter a chamber (first pre-test chamber) through a
special valve that limits the flow rate to about 60 cm3/min. The sampling pressure
is measured. When the first chamber is full, it is closed-off and a second pretest
chamber is filled at a higher rate (150 cm3/min), while measuring the fluid pressure.

It may be decided that the tool should not take an operational sample, but move on
to another depth. If this is the case, the pretest chambers are emptied into the
borehole, the back-shoe is retracted, the drilling mud pressure is re-recorded, and the
tool moves on to another depth. If an operational sample is required, one of two
valves to two chambers is opened so that fluid flows into a chamber. The fluid
sample is commonly 10 liters.
The most common problems are:

A Tight Test. If the sample is very impermeable the sampling pressure drops to near
zero. In this case it will take too long to obtain a pressure reading and the tool may
stick in the borehole.

Stuck Tool. Usually when the tool has been set at a given depth for some time.

Plugging. Reservoir grains from the formation may enter the tool and block the flow
lines, especially in unconsolidated samples. This problem is reduced by the filter in
the sampling probe, but fine grains may still get through.

Seal Failure. If the packer fails, the drilling mud will be sampled and the mud
pressure will be recorded.

Log Quality Control:


1) Depth Matching
2) Hydrostatic Pressure (HP) Before and After
3) Mud Density Calculation and Comparison
4) Formation Pressure Buildup Data QA and QC
 Strain Gauges: Wellsite Calibration & Verification
 Quartz Gauges: Factory Calibrated
MDT

The available modules are as follows:

MRPC Electrical Power Cartridge. This module converts AC power from the
surface to provide DC power for all other modules in the configuration and can only
be connected at the top of the string.

MRHY Hydraulic Power Module. This module contains an electric motor and
hydraulic pump to provide hydraulic power for setting and retracting the probe
modules. It can be placed almost anywhere in the tool string, but must be adjacent
to the probe module that it is powering.

MRPS Single Probe Module. This module contains the probe assembly with
packer and telescoping back-up pistons. It also houses the pressure gauges, fluid
resistivity and temperature sensors and the pre-test facility. It can be placed
anywhere in the string, but must be connected directly to the hydraulic power
module. There are two versions of the MRPS, one with strain gauge only and one
with both strain and quartz gauges.

MRSC Conventional Sample Chamber Modules. These are available in three


sizes: 1, 2-¾ and 6 gallons. The 1 and 2-¾ gallon chambers exist in both H2S and
non-H2S versions. The 1 and 2-¾ gallon chambers can be placed anywhere in the
string; however, the 6 gallon chamber can only be placed at the bottom since it does
not have a flowline or electrical bus. The 6 gallon chamber can be expanded in
volume in multiples of 6 gallons by adding more sample cylinders.

MRMS Multi-Sample Module. The MRMS contains 6 sample bottles of 450 cc


each. The bottles are not part of the MRMS asset. In fact, they must be ordered
separately as MPSR-AB. This module allows one to collect up to 6 samples for PVT
(Pressure Volume Temperature) analysis per trip downhole

MRPO Pumpout Module. This module allows you to pump reservoir fluid to the
borehole so that virgin fluid can be recovered. The module can also be used to pump
fluid from the borehole into the flowline for inflating the packers of the dual packer
module. There is a facility which allows the module to pump within the flowline
(e.g. from a sample chamber to the inflatable packers).

MRFA Optical Fluid Analyzer Module. This module uses optical techniques to
detect the presence of oil, water and gas in the flowline. Visible and near infra-red
spectroscopy allows it to distinguish between oil and water while reflection
techniques allow gas detection.

MRPD Dual-Probe Module. This module contains two probes mounted


diametrically opposite each other. It is connected below a single probe module to
form a multiprobe system. This system is used to make anisotropic permeability
measurements. A large volume pretest with known flowrate is necessary to create
large enough pulses in the formation. For this reason the flow control module is used
in conjunction with the multi-probe system. Two versions of MRPD exist, one with
strain gauge only at the "horizontal" probe and one with both a quartz gauge and a
strain gauge at the "horizontal" probe.

MRCF Flow Control Module. This module contains a 1 liter pretest chamber
where the flowrate can be accurately measured and controlled. It can be used to
create a large enough pressure pulse in the formation for multiprobe measurements.
The MRCF can also be used in conjunction with the MRMS as a 1-liter receiver for
the MRMS water cushions. This allows sampling at an accurately controlled
flowrate or drawdown. However, note that the MRCF cannot be used as an
additional sample chamber for the purpose of bringing fluid to the surface.

MRPA Dual Packer Module. Two inflatable packers are mounted on this module.
When inflated, they isolate an area of borehole wall about two thousand times the
area of a conventional probe. This allows a large volume drawdown at high flowrate
followed by a build up test to estimate permeability further into the reservoir (50 to
80 feet). There are two versions of the MRPA available, one with a strain gauge only
and one with both strain and quartz gauges.

MDT has a bussed flowline which means the flowline passes through each module
except MRPC & MRSC-EB (6 gallon).
RFT vs MDT

Feature RFT MDT Comparative MDT Benefit


Faster pretest in low and medium
Pretest volume 20 cc fixed 0-20 cc variable
permeability. RIG TIME SAVINGS
Drawdown rate adapted to formation perm.
Pretest rate Two fixed rates Variable Avoid excessive drawdown and going below
bubble point. Improved perm calculation.
Pretest
Avoid going below bubble point. Improved
drawdown No control Programmable
perm calculation.
pressure
Quartz gauge HP 0.01 % reading CQG 0.01 % reading
No comparative MDT advantage.
accuracy +2 psi + 2 psi.
Quartz gauge
HP 0.01 psi. CQG 0.01 psi No comparative MDT advantage.
resolution
Quartz gauge CQG. Within 1 psi
dynamic in a few sec. with Faster pressure measurements. Up to 50%
HP. Within 1 psi. in
response: dynamic correction time savings per pretest. More evident in
10 minutes
Response to 2 min. without low-medium perm. RIG TIME SAVINGS
5000 psi shock. dynamic correction.
Quartz gauge Pressure measurement possible in deeper
HP 0-12,000 psi. CQG 0-15,000 psi
pressure range high pressure wells.
2 samples maximum. 12 MRMS samples Reduced operating time due to less runs in
Samples per trip i.e. one segregated plus additional sample the hole for more than two samples per trip.
sample per trip. chambers. RIG TIME SAVINGS.
Resistivity cell in
In situ Rw estimate. Real time decision
Fluid resistivity flowline. (0-20) ohm-
None making during sampling saves time and
Sensor m with .01 ohm-m
improves chamber utilization.
resolution.
From 6.0 to 9.0 in. From 6.0 to 14 in. Increased probability to make measurements
Tool hole size
without dressing the without dressing the in washed out holes even below tight
dynamic range.
tool tool. restrictions. Gets data where RFT cannot.
Many spacer kits
Large hole kit
available but
Large hole kit works in 8.5 to 19.0 Gets data where RFT cannot.
minimum hole size
in. holes
also reduced.
160,000 lbs in tensile More rugged for TLC operations. Less risk
Mechanical mode. 166,000 lbs at of damage during fishing. Data available in
N/A
Strength 10,000 psi and 6.0 in hole with TLC. Not possible with
240 °F RFT on TLC.
Cased hole Cannot be used in
Kit Available No comparative MDT benefit.
usage cased hole.
MDT vs DST

MDT DST
Gets the reservoir pressure point by point Just 3 point pressure measurement
Investigates near wellbore regime Much more deeper in reservoir
Takes time just as a trip Takes time for days
No flow to surface so there is no need for
Flow to surface
flare or disposal system
Doesn’t evaluate the reservoir boundary &
Evaluates the reservoir boundary & fault
fault
Evaluates the specific layer properties Evaluates the whole reservoir
Specifies the depleted or thief zones Doesn’t do that
Measures Pi, fluid gradient, fluid contacts, Measures 𝑃̅, well productivity, IPR curve,
vertical homogeneity and heterogeneity, wellbore damage (S), reservoir boundaries &
communications between layers ̅
faults, drainage radius, 𝐾

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