Apparatus and methods of flow testing formation zones
View Patent ↗Methods and apparatus for flow testing multiple zones in a single trip are provided. In one embodiment, a method of flow testing multiple zones in a wellbore includes lowering a tool string into the wellbore. The tool string includes an inflatable packer or plug and an electric pump. The method further includes operating the pump, thereby inflating the packer or plug and isolating a first zone from one or more other zones; monitoring flow from the first zone; deflating the packer or plug; moving the tool string in the wellbore; and operating the pump, thereby inflating the packer or plug and isolating a second zone from one or more other zones; and monitoring flow from the second zone. The zones are monitored in one trip.
1. A method of flow testing multiple zones in a wellbore, comprising:
lowering a tool string into the wellbore on a wireline, the tool string being coupled to the wireline and comprising an inflatable packer or plug and an electro-hydraulic pump, the pump comprising:
a pressure balanced closed working fluid system having a working fluid pump and an electric motor operable to drive the working fluid pump, and
a reciprocating hydraulic pump having a drive piston in selective fluid communication with the working fluid pump and a pump piston in selective fluid communication with the wellbore and the packer or plug;
operating the pump using the wireline, thereby inflating the packer or plug and isolating a first zone from one or more other zones;
measuring a flow rate from the first zone;
deflating the packer or plug;
moving the tool string in the wellbore;
operating the pump using the wireline, thereby inflating the packer or plug and isolating a second zone from one or more other zones; and
measuring a flow rate from the second zone, wherein the flow rates are measured in one trip.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tool string includes a one-way valve configured to maintain inflation of the packer or plug.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the tool string further comprises an instrumentation sub, and
the method further comprises measuring a temperature and pressure of wellbore fluid.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising measuring the flow rate from a combination of the first zone, the second zone, and a third zone, and calculating the flow rate of the third zone based on measurements of the first zone, second zone, and the combination of the first, second, and third zones.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wellbore has been cased and cemented.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising lowering the tool string through a production tubing positioned at an upper end of the wellbore and extending into the wellbore.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising perforating a production zone on the same trip.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tool string further comprises an anti-blowup device.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising injecting a wellbore treating fluid on the same trip.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reporting the measurements to surface in real time using the wireline.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the tool string further comprises a flow meter, and
the flow rates from the first and second zones are measured with the flow meter.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the flow meter is a single phase meter or a multiphase meter.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the flow meter comprises a spinner, a Venturi, a pressure sensor, or combinations thereof.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the tool string further comprises a deflation tool, and
the packer or plug is deflated by operating the deflation tool.
15. The method of claim 14 , the deflation tool is operated by exerting tension on the wireline.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein:
the deflation tool comprises a valve and an electronic actuator, and
the packer or plug is deflated by the electronic actuator opening the valve.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the tool string further comprises a one-way valve configured to maintain inflation of the packer or plug and positioned between the electric pump and the deflation tool.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein:
the tool string further comprises a second packer or plug, and
the zones are isolated by straddling.
19. A method of flow testing multiple zones in a wellbore, comprising:
lowering a tool string into the wellbore on a wireline, the tool string being coupled to the wireline and comprising:
a plurality of inflatable sealing members, each sealing member selected from the group consisting of a packer and a plug,
a flow meter, and
an electro-hydraulic pump, the pump comprising:
a pressure balanced closed working fluid system having a working fluid pump and an electric motor operable to drive the working fluid pump, and
a reciprocating hydraulic pump having a drive piston in selective fluid communication with the working fluid pump and a pump piston in selective fluid communication with the wellbore and the sealing members;
inflating the plurality of sealing members, thereby straddling a first zone;
measuring a flow rate from the first zone using the flow meter;
deflating the plurality of sealing members;
moving the tool string in the wellbore;
inflating the plurality of sealing members, thereby straddling a second zone; and
measuring a flow rate from the second zone using the flow meter, wherein the flow rates are measured in one trip.