Hydraulic injection diagnostic tool
An apparatus can include a conveyance device having a flow bore, an isolator forming a testing volume at least partially defined by an inner surface of a wellbore tubular, and one or more pressure sensors generating signals representative of a pressure in the testing volume while the conveyance device moves the isolator axially through the wellbore tubular. The isolator substantially isolates a testing fluid received from the flow bore in the testing volume from an adjacent bore of the wellbore tubular. A location of at least one flow path in the wellbore tubular is identified by estimating a pressure of the testing fluid in the testing volume. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the general subject matter of the technical disclosure.
1. An apparatus for performing a downhole operation, comprising:
a conveyance device having a flow bore;
an isolator forming a testing volume at least partially defined by an inner surface of a wellbore tubular;
at least one pressure sensor generating signals representative of a pressure in the testing volume while the conveyance device moves the isolator axially through the wellbore tubular; and
a source supplying a testing fluid to the testing volume at least at a flow rate that generates a pressure variance indicating fluid flow into at least one flow path in the wellbore tubular while the testing volume is moving and while allowing a portion of the testing fluid to flow through a predetermined clearance between the isolator and the inner surface of the wellbore tubular.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the isolator has an adjustable outer diameter, the outer diameter expanding from a first diameter during run-in to a second larger diameter during operation.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the isolator includes at least one of: (i) an actuator adjusting the outer diameter of the isolator, and (ii) an actuator controlling fluid flow into the testing volume.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the actuator includes at least one of a J-slot mechanism, diaphragm, sleeve, valve, and expendable material.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the isolator includes:
a mandrel having at least one opening providing fluid communication between the flow bore and the testing volume; and
a first and a second isolating element disposed on the mandrel, wherein the testing volume is formed between the first and the second isolating element.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the first and the second isolating elements are selected from at least one of: (i) a fixed cone, (ii) an expandable cone, (iii) a ring, (iv) a swab cup, (v) a packer, (vi) a cylindrical compartment, (vii) collets, and (viii) dogs.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the isolator includes an outer circumferential surface that includes at least one wear pad.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the conveyance device is at least one of (i) a tubing, (ii) coiled tubing, (iii) drillpipe, (iv) wireline, (v) slickline, and (vi) electric line; and further comprising:
a fluid mover configured to supply the testing fluid to the testing volume via the conveyance device while the isolator moves axially through the wellbore tubular.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one pressure sensor includes at least one of: (i) a pressure sensor at a fluid mover supplying the testing fluid, (ii) a pressure sensor at a downhole location, (iii) a pressure sensor at a surface location, (iv) a pressure sensor sending signals to a surface location, and (v) a pressure sensor sending signals to a memory module located at the downhole location.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a well treatment tool disposed along the conveyance device at a fixed distance to the testing volume.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the well treatment tool receives a treatment fluid via the flow bore.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the treatment fluid is a tracer, and wherein the well treatment tool comprises a tracer logging tool configured to measure a conductivity of at least one flow path in a treatment zone using the tracer.
13. The apparatus of 10 , wherein the well treatment tool includes at least a pair of zone isolation members defining a treatment zone.
14. A method of performing a downhole operation, comprising:
forming a testing volume in a wellbore using an isolator, the testing volume being at least partially defined by an inner surface of a wellbore tubular, the isolator being separated from the inner surface by a predetermined clearance;
moving the testing volume along the wellbore;
supplying a testing fluid to the testing volume at least at a flow rate that generates a pressure variance indicating fluid flow into at least one flow path of the wellbore tubular while the testing volume is moving and while allowing a portion of the testing fluid to flow through the predetermined clearance; and
identifying a location of the at least one flow path by estimating a pressure of the testing fluid in the moving testing volume.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the pressure indicative of a testing volume pressure is measured at at least one of: (i) a surface location, and (ii) a downhole location.
16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising performing a well treatment operation after identifying the location of at least one flow path.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising comparing the identified location with a well history before performing the well treatment operation.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the well treatment operation is at least one of: (i) a hydraulic fracturing operation, (ii) a well stimulation operation, (iii) a well tracer injection operation, (iv) a well intervention operation, and (v) a well cleaning operation.
19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising positioning a well treatment tool used during the well treatment operation with reference to the identified location.