Method and apparatus for reservoir testing and monitoring

Abstract

An apparatus may include a tubular, a first isolator connected to the tubular and configured to engage an interior surface of the wellbore, a first pressure gauge connected to the tubular and configured to take multiple pressure readings over a period of time, and a first perforation gun connected to the tubular without compromising the communication of fluid through an inner flow channel of the tubular. A method may include placing the apparatus in a wellbore, and actuating the isolator to provide isolation of a first zone in a formation. The method may include activating the perforation gun to provide fluid communication between an annulus of the wellbore and the zone in the formation. The method may include allowing the pressure gauge to take a plurality of pressure readings over a period of time. Based on the pressure readings, the method may include determining a formation characteristic.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for testing or monitoring a wellbore penetrating a reservoir in a subterranean formation, the apparatus comprising:
 a. a tubular;   b. an isolator connected to the tubular and configured to engage an interior surface of the wellbore;   c. a pressure gauge connected to the tubular and configured to take multiple pressure readings over a period of time; and   d. a perforation gun.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular is configured to maintain continuity of an inner flow channel therein. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the perforation gun is connected and parallel to the tubular without compromising the communication of fluid through an inner flow channel of the tubular, and wherein the perforation gun is connected to the tubular via a connector such that a centerline of the perforation gun does not align with a centerline of the apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the perforation gun comprises at least one tubular puncher configured to puncture a canister of the perforation gun without puncturing casing present in the wellbore. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the perforation gun comprises a sliding sleeve valve. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the perforation gun comprises a tubular. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional perforation gun. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure gauge is connected to a tubing encapsulated conductor or tubing encapsulated cable (TEC) so as to provide real time data reading on a surface device. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the perforation guns are arranged in parallel. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the perforation guns are arranged in series. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a. an additional tubular;   b. an additional isolator connected to the additional tubular and configured to engage the interior surface of the wellbore;   c. an additional pressure gauge connected to the additional tubular and configured to take multiple pressure readings over a period of time; and   d. an additional perforation gun.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an inner flow channel of the tubular is blocked by a bottom cap. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 a. in a wellbore, placing an apparatus comprising a tubular, a first isolator connected to the tubular and configured to engage an interior surface of the wellbore, a first pressure gauge connected to the tubular and configured to take multiple pressure readings over a period of time, and a first perforation gun connected to the tubular without compromising the communication of fluid through an inner flow channel of the tubular;   b. actuating the isolator to provide isolation of a first zone in a formation;   c. activating the perforation gun to provide fluid communication between an annulus of the wellbore and the zone in the formation;   d. allowing the pressure gauge to take a plurality of pressure readings over a period of time; and   e. based on the pressure readings, determining a formation characteristic.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of actuating the isolator comprises hydraulically actuating the isolator. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the isolator comprises a packer and wherein the apparatus further comprises a second packer connected to the tubular and configured to engage the interior surface of the wellbore, a second pressure gauge connected to the tubular and configured to take multiple pressure readings over a period of time, and a second perforation gun connected and parallel to the tubular without compromising the communication of fluid through the inner flow channel, the method further comprising:
 a. actuating the second packer to provide isolation of a second zone in the formation;   b. activating the second perforation gun to provide fluid communication between the annulus of the wellbore and the second zone in the formation; and   c. allowing the second pressure gauge to take a plurality of pressure readings over a period of time.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the perforating guns are activated at substantially the same time. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the perforating guns are activated at substantially different times. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein determining a formation characteristic comprises determining permeability of the formation. 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 a. in a cased and perforated wellbore, placing an apparatus comprising a tubular, a first isolator connected to the tubular and configured to engage an interior surface of the casing, a first pressure gauge connected to the tubular and configured to take multiple pressure readings over a period of time, and a first perforation gun connected and parallel to the tubular without compromising the communication of fluid through an inner flow channel of the tubular;   b. actuating the isolator to provide isolation of a zone in a formation;   c. activating the perforation gun to provide fluid communication among the zone in the formation, an interval isolated opposite the zone, and an interior volume of a canister of the perforation gun;   d. allowing the pressure gauge to take a plurality of pressure readings over a period of time; and   e. based on the pressure readings, determining a formation characteristic.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the isolator comprises a packer and wherein the apparatus further comprises a second packer connected to the tubular and configured to engage the interior surface of the casing, a second pressure gauge connected to the tubular and configured to take multiple pressure readings over a period of time, and a second perforation gun connected and parallel to the tubular without compromising the communication of fluid through the inner flow channel, the method further comprising:
 a. actuating the second packer to provide isolation of a second zone in the formation;   b. activating the second perforation gun to provide fluid communication among the second zone in the formation, an interval isolated opposite the second zone, and an interior volume of a canister of the second perforation gun; and   c. allowing the second pressure gauge to take a plurality of pressure readings over a period of time.