Method and apparatus for production logging

Abstract

Method and apparatus are disclosed for performing production logging in a cased well having a plurality of isolated production zones and a tubing string which intersects the production zones. An access device is connected in the tubing string for each of one or more production zones and an intervention tool is conveyed to and positioned in the access device associated with the selected production zone. Production parameters from the selected zone are measured by sensors in the intervention tool.

1 . A method of production logging in a cased well having (i) a plurality of production zones that are isolated from one another, (ii) a tubing string for conveying production from said production zones to the earth's surface, and (iii) at least one access device connected in said tubing string for each of one or more production zones, each said access device having a port that allows production fluid to flow into in the tubing string, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) conveying an intervention tool to an access device associated with a production zone from which production parameters are to be measured;    (b) positioning said intervention tool in said access device so that production fluid passes through the intervention tool; and    (c) measuring parameters of the selected production zone with sensors contained in said intervention tool.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing data respecting said measured parameters to a computer that is located at the earth's surface.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of using the data respecting the measured parameters to make decisions concerning production from the selected production zone.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of repeating the steps of  claim 2  for at least one more production zone in the well.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of using the data respecting the measured parameters from the measured production zones to make decisions concerning production from the well.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of storing data respecting said measured parameters in a memory device.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of providing the data stored in the memory device to a computer.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the steps of repeating the steps of  claim 6  over a preselected period of time.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of providing the data stored in the memory device to a computer.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises reducing the cross-sectional area through which production fluid from said production zone may flow.  
   
   
       11 . A method of production logging in a cased well having (i) a plurality of production zones that are isolated from one another, (ii) a tubing string for conveying production from said production zones to the earth's surface, and (iii) at least one sliding sleeve device connected in said tubing string for each of one or more production zones, each said sliding sleeve having a port which permits production fluid to flow into the tubing string, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) outfitting an intervention tool with one or more sensors to measure parameters;    (b) conveying said intervention tool to a sliding sleeve device associated with a production zone from which production parameters are to be measured;    (c) positioning the intervention tool in said sliding sleeve device so that the production fluid entering the port of said sliding sleeve device passes through the intervention tool; and    (d) measuring parameters of the production zone with the sensors contained in the intervention tool.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of providing data respecting said measured parameters to a computer that is located at the earth's surface.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of using the data respecting the measured parameters to make decisions concerning production from the selected production zone.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of repeating the steps of  claim 11  for at least one more production zone in the well.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of using data respecting the measured parameters from the measured production zones to make decisions concerning production from the well.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of storing data respecting said measured parameters in a memory device.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of providing the data stored in the memory device to a computer.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of repeating the steps of  claim 15  over a preselected period of time.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising providing the data stored in the memory device to a computer.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11 , where step (c) comprises reducing the cross-sectional area through which production fluid from said production zone may flow.  
   
   
       21 . Apparatus for use in production logging operations in a cased, completed well having a plurality of production zones that are isolated from one another and a tubing string for conveying the production from said production zones to the earth's surface, comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of access devices connected in the tubing where there is at least one access device for each of one or more of said production zones; and    (b) an intervention tool which: (i) is conveyed through the tubing string from the surface of the earth to a selected one of the access devices, (ii) is positioned in the selected access device, and (iii) contains sensing devices to measure parameters of the production zone corresponding to the access device in which the intervention tool is positioned.    
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the sensing devices are selected from a group of devices which measure pressure, density, temperature, capacitance/dielectric and/or velocity.  
   
   
       23 . Apparatus for use in production logging operations in a cased, completed well having a plurality of production zones that are isolated from one another and a tubing string for conveying the production from said production zones to the earth's surface, comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of sliding sleeve devices connected in the tubing string where there is at least one sliding sleeve device for each of one or more of said production zones; and    (b) an intervention tool which: (i) is conveyed through the tubing string from the surface of the earth to a selected one of the sliding sleeve devices, (ii) is positioned in the selected sliding sleeve device, and (iii) contains sensing devices to measure parameters of the production zone corresponding to the sliding sleeve in which the intervention tool is positioned.    
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the sensing devices are selected from a group of devices which measure pressure, density, temperature, capacitance/dielectric and/or velocity.  
   
   
       25 . A production logging system for use in a cased, completed well having a plurality of production zones that are isolated from one another and a tubing string for conveying the production from said production zones to the earth's surface, comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of access devices connected in the tubing string where there is at least one access device for each of one or more of said production zones;    (b) an intervention tool which: (i) is conveyed through the tubing string from the surface of the earth to a selected one of the access devices, (ii) is positioned in the selected access device, and (iii) contains sensing devices to measure parameters of the production zone corresponding to access device in which the intervention tool is positioned;    (c) a computer which receives data respecting the measured parameters and processes that data; and    (d) a recorder operatively coupled to the computer for displaying information respecting the measured parameters.    
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the sensing devices are selected from a group of devices which measure pressure, density, temperature, capacitance/dielectric and/or velocity.  
   
   
       27 . A production logging system for use in a cased, completed well having a plurality of production zones that are isolated from one another and a tubing string for conveying the production from said production zones to the earth's surface, comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of sliding sleeve devices connected in the tubing string where there is at least one sliding sleeve device for each of one or more of said production zones;    (b) an intervention tool which: (i) is conveyed through the tubing string from the surface of the earth to a selected one of the sliding sleeve devices via the tubing string, (ii) is positioned in the selected sliding sleeve device, and (iii) contains sensing devices to measure parameters of the production zone corresponding to the sliding sleeve in which the isolation tool is positioned;    (c) a computer for receiving data respecting the measured parameters and for processing that data; and    (d) a recorder operatively coupled to the computer for displaying information respecting the measured parameters.    
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the sensing devices are selected from a group of devices which measure pressure, density, temperature, capacitance/dielectric and/or velocity.  
   
   
       29 . Apparatus for use in production logging operations in a cased, completed well having a plurality of production zones that are isolated from one another, a tubing string for conveying the production from said production zones to the earth's surface, and a plurality of access devices connected in the tubing string where there is at least one access device for each of one or more of said production zones, comprising: 
 an intervention tool which (i) is for conveyance through the tubing string from the surface of the earth to a selected one of the access devices, (ii) is for positioning in the selected access device, and (iii) contains sensing devices to measure parameters of the production zone corresponding to the access device in which the intervention tool is positioned.    
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the access devices are sliding sleeve devices.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the sensing devices are selected from a group of device which measure pressure, density, temperature, capacitance/dielectric and/or velocity.  
   
   
       32 . A method of production logging in a cased wellbore having a tubing string for conveying production fluid from the wellbore to the earth's surface, said tubing string including a landing device, comprising the steps of: 
 outfitting an intervention tool with sensing devices;    conveying the intervention tool to the landing device;    cooperatively engaging the intervention tool with the landing device so that production fluid flows through the intervention tool; and    measuring parameters of the production fluid with the sensing devices in the intervention tool.    
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising the step of providing data respecting said measured parameters to a computer that is located at the earth's surface.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising the step of using the data respecting the measured parameters to recommend decisions concerning production from the selected production zone.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising the steps of repeating the steps of  claim 31  for at least one more production zone in the well.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising the step of using the data respecting the measured parameters from the measured production zones to recommend decisions concerning production from the well.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising the step of storing data respecting said measured parameters in a memory device.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising the step of providing the data stored in the memory device to a computer.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising the steps of repeating the steps of  claim 35  over a preselected period of time.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising the step of providing the data stored in the memory device to a computer.  
   
   
       41 . A method of production management for a hydrocarbon producing well having a plurality of potential production zones intersected by a wellbore, said method comprising: 
 casing the wellbore;    providing potential access through the casing to a plurality of said potential production zones;    running a tubing string inside of the casing and in communication with the surface;    isolating one or more of the potential production zones;    providing one or more access devices each associated with one of the isolated potential production zones to allow selective fluid communication from said production zone into the tubing;    engaging an intervention tool with one of said access devices;    collecting data by measuring parameters of the isolated potential production zone associated with the engaged access device using sensors contained in said intervention tool; and    making decisions for production management based on the data.    
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein data is collected at multiple production zones.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the decisions for production management comprise leaving access devices open or shut, and treating an isolated section.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the well is monitored over time and production from the well is optimized on an ongoing basis in response to changes in the well.