SPE 154064

Fiber-Optic Technology Allows Real-Time Production Logging Well Campaign

To Continue Where Traditional Logging Tools Fell Short
A. Menkhaus, SPE, T. Ryan, SPE, J. Taboada, SPE, C. Wasson, SPE, Schlumberger, C. Webb, SPE, J. Williamson,
SPE, Talisman Energy

Copyright 2012, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing & Well Intervention Conference & Exhibition held in The Woodlands, Texas, USA, 2728 March 2012.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been reviewed
by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or
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Abstract
Exploration and exploitation of the shale formations in the United States has continued to accelerate since the early
2000s. Once considered to exist only as a cap rock, shale is now proving to be one of the most important reservoir rocks
in North America and throughout the world. The demand for production logging (PL) in these reservoirs has increased
due to the desire to better understand the basis behind higher stimulation efficiency and increased production results.
Data collected via production logs can be used to evaluate efforts to enhance production through better zonal targeting,
modifications to completion/hydraulic fracture design and/or alternate zonal isolation procedures.
Drilling extended reach horizontal wells has allowed for more efficient exploitation of these formations but has also
increased the number of potential obstacles to overcome in order to obtain complete and accurate production logs. Some
of these obstacles include: severe doglegs which interfere with logging tool bending capability, substantial wellbore
debris and/or added friction surface contact impacting depth of data capture, and completion configurations that limit
equipment options and ease of logging. This paper will identify these critical factors and address proper candidate well
selection and job preparation. It will also illustrate a multi-well logging campaign in the Marcellus shale, which
highlights the benefits of fiber optic technology as a suitable alternative to traditional production logging techniques. .

Introduction
The Marcellus shale is an expansive, low permeability reservoir with initial production rates from horizontal wells
ranging from 0.5 MMscf/day to 30 MMscf/day in the dry gas areas of the play. In order to achieve maximum production
from these wells, operators have resorted to multi-stage hydraulic fracture completions in extend reach horizontal wells.
Although this method of completion has proven to be successful in terms of production, it presents challenges for post-
frac well interventions, such as PL, by limiting deployment methods and the tools and techniques applicable.

A multi-well PL campaign conducted in the Marcellus shale during the Fall of 2010 was conducted to obtain production
profile data on 10 different wells in the Marcellus shale and to validate the benefits of using Fiber Optic Distributed
Temperature Survey (DTS) over traditional PL tools. Early in the campaign the traditional PL tools slated for use
throughout the campaign became damaged. Although the DTS was a relatively unproven technology when combined
with coiled tubing (CT) and used for production logging purposes, data obtained prior to damage of the traditional PL tool
was used to validate production rates from the DTS tool, making it a dependable alternative to allow the campaign to
continue. Through the telling of the campaign events, this paper aims to highlight the application of DTS as an
alternative method for identifying zonal gas production in shale gas wells. Criteria for determining well candidacy, the
advantages of DTS production profiling, and the validation of DTS technology using traditional logging tools, as learned
through the multi-well campaign and previous knowledge, will also be discussed.
2 SPE 154064

Statement of Theory Fiber Optic Distributed Temperature Survey (DTS)

The DTS is obtained by using several pieces of equipment in addition to the normal surface equipment used on a CT job.
These consist of a DTS box installed in the CT control cab and a fiber optic cable installed throughout the length of the
CT string. The DTS box contains an industrial strength laser, reference coil, and signal analyzer. To create a DTS profile
of the well the laser continually fires very short bursts of light through a reference coil in the DTS box and subsequently
down the fiber installed in the CT. For every burst of light there is an associated amount of back-scattered light that
returns to the DTS box and is diverted to the analyzer. The speed of light is constant in this process, but the amplitude of
specific wavelengths of the back-scattered light change with temperature. The light back-scattered to surface can then be
analyzed and a temperature for each meter of fiber throughout the CT string can be determined and referenced to the
temperature seen in the reference coil (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Distributed Temperature Survey, Equipment and Theory

As seen in the figure, there are two key bands of light to consider in each packet of back-scattered light; the Stokes
Raman band and the Anti-Stokes Raman band. Temperature can then be directly calculated for each packet of light
returned to the analyzer, and thus along the length of fiber by looking at the ratio of the Stokes Raman band to Anti-
Stokes Raman band. A decrease in temperature from the natural geothermal temperature is an indication of gas flow rate.
This drop in temperature is related to the Joule-Thompson effect, the cooling of gas during expansion. The resolution and
accuracy of this data can be varied by adjusting data acquisition parameters to determine changes in temperature as small
as 0.05C. After a temperature profile has been obtained with the well flowing and while shut in, production modeling
software can be used to match curves of predicted temperature changes to actual temperature changes based on a variety
of inputs describing the completion, formation characteristics, and total production measured at surface. This modeling
then allows for a qualitative measurement of zonal gas flow rates.

It is important to mention that zonal gas flow rates determined through the use of DTS are qualitative measurements and
are not being directly measured. There are several production and well characteristics that, if satisfied, make the DTS a
viable effective and efficient option for PL application.

Well Candidacy

The principal of using fiber optic measurements to obtain DTS data and ultimately a production profile relies on a thermal
cooling event (gas expansion) caused by the Joule-Thompson Effect. Therefore, an environment where that phenomenon
is detectable is one in which a sufficient drawdown exists in the wellbore such that the production rate is greater than 0.5
MMscf/day and the water gas ratio is less than 10% (bbl/Mscf). In wells with high water cut, identifying multi-phase
flow requires two independent measurements (such as a PL spinner and multi-phase holdup sensors). However, in the
case of horizontal, dry gas wells, DTS can be used to identify zonal production given that the aforementioned criteria are
met.
SPE 154064 3

Figure 2: Distributed Temperature Survey Initial Candidate Selection

Figure 2 is a flow chart that can be used to help determine whether DTS is a viable option in horizontal shale gas wells.
This flowchart is not an exhaustive approach to determine applicability of DTS on a candidate well. There are several
other well characteristics, such as the expected presence of downhole debris, estimated CT friction lock-up depth, and the
ability of the completion to maintain near normal production rates with the CT in hole during the DTS profile. Since
stabilized production rates are critical to production profiling, the latter of these is likely the most important parameter to
take into account outside of the flowchart, and may require nodal analysis to get an accurate prediction of the effects the
CT will have on production. These factors must be considered in order to determine the feasibility of PL with CT in
general.

Advantages of DTS

DTS, as a means for production profiling, becomes an attractive alternative to operators when well conditions make it
exceedingly difficult to run traditional PL tools successfully. Wells containing significant debris, produced sand, small
diameter production tubing, or severe doglegs present a less ideal environment for traditional PL tool component.
Therefore the wellbore should be adequately prepared. In many cases, this requires the operator to pull the smaller
diameter production tubing in order to efficiently clean out the production casing. In doing so, the operator must not only
absorb the cost of the cleanout operation, but must also provide a fluid system, fluids handling system, choke, and testing
equipment for the cleanout operation. If the operator chooses to leave the smaller diameter production tubing in place and
perform the cleanout through tubing with a small diameter CT string, nitrified fluid or foam is often necessary to unload
the well properly. The well must then be left to stabilize for at least 24 hours prior to performing the PL to gain accurate
results.

Conversely, DTS can be run with greater success without prior well preparation, due to the greater robustness of the
logging tool and CT deployment. The simplicity of the toolstring (Figure 3) also alleviates many Quality, Health, Safety,
and Environmental (QHSE) and logistical considerations as traditional PL tool strings range from 35-50 feet long and
require either a large crane for deployment or a pressure deployment system. Thus, using DTS as an alternative to
traditional PL tools can save unnecessary intervention costs, non-productive time, and reduce QHSE considerations.
4 SPE 154064

Item Tool OD Tool ID T-Length T-Length

Tool Description Tool Connections
(inch) (inch) (inch) (feet)
IBL 1-1/2 CT Connector Upper Thread: 1-1/2"

1 Lower Thread: 1" AMMT-S 1.69 0.81 5.89 0.49

Seat Size (inch): 0 1
Shear (lbf): 0

Optic Term ination Sub Assem bly, iFC Upper Thread: 1" AMMT-S

2 Lower Thread: 1" AMMT-S 1.50 0.30 3.25 0.27

Seat Size (inch): 0 2
Shear (lbf): 0
CHECK VALVE, DOUBLE FLAPPER
Upper Thread: 1" AMMT-S BOX
1-11/16 OD, 1 AM MT-S BOX X PIN 3
3 Lower Thread: 1" AMMT-S PIN 1.69 0.70 13.30 1.11
Seat Size (inch): 0
Shear (lbf): 0

Dow nhole Tem perature Gauge Upper Thread: 1" AMMT-S

4 Lower Thread: 1" AMMT-S 1.69 0.30 13.25 1.10

Seat Size (inch): 0
Shear (lbf): 0 4
Full Bore Nozzle Upper Thread: 1" AMMT-S

5 Lower Thread: N/A 1.69 0.25 6.00 0.50

Seat Size (inch): 0
Shear (lbf): 0
Maxim um Tool-String
BHA Sheet prepared by: 1.69
OD:
Minim um Tool-String
Alex Menkhaus/Tim Ryan 0.25
ID: 5
Total Length of BHA in
3.47
Feet:

Figure 3: Distributed Temperature Survey Bottomhole Assembly Schematic

Operational Advantages of using DTS

DTS also provides several operational advantages over other methods of production logging, assuming the criteria for
candidate selection have been met.

The first operational advantage that DTS provides is the acquisition and display of downhole data in real-time, a
characteristic that memory PL tools, a popular PL method among operators, does not provide. By providing real-time
data, DTS allows for identification of any tool malfunctions, production anomalies, or poor data acquisition before
returning to surface and downloading data from the tool. This prevents nonproductive time and costly additional runs
resulting from memory log failure or unforeseen downhole conditions that affect log quality.

Another advantage of DTS is the reduction in both equipment and personnel resources needed during operations when
compared to other PL methods. The DTS system is completely self-contained and run from the CT unit. Equipment
requirements are lessened from other PL methods by not requiring a third party crane or pressure deployment system.
This helps mitigate both cost for the client, and safety concerns that arise with additional personnel and equipment on
location.

Marcellus Shale Production Logging Campaign Results

In Q4 2010 a ten well PL campaign was started in the Marcellus shale with two main objectives. This first objective was
to determine gas production rates from each perforation cluster in order to draw general conclusions on productivity
profile trends along the wellbore, specific completion techniques introduced, as well as diagnosing any unrecognized
production anomalies. The second objective of the campaign was to introduce and validate DTS as viable PL method in
the Marcellus shale. This was to be accomplished by running both traditional PL tools as well as DTS on several of the
wells, allowing for accurate acquisition of production data and confirmation of DTS profile interpretations based on the
results obtained using the traditional PL tools. A fiber-optic CT reel and an electric-to-optical converter were utilized,
enabling traditional PL tools to be run with fiber optic telemetry as well as DTS profiles.
SPE 154064 5

Looking at Well 1 provides a characteristic example of all the wells in the campaign (Figure 4). Wells were completed
with 2.375 production tubing (packerless) and 5.5 casing, with measured depths (MD) ranging from 10,150-13,500
feet.

Figure 4: Well 1 Wellbore Diagram and Well Trajectory

Prior to commencing the campaign, tubing force and cleanout simulations were run for each of the ten wells to determine
the best cleanout procedure and predicted lockup depths. At the start of the campaign it became evident that the assumed
wellbore conditions applied to the simulations did not accurately reflect downhole conditions present. On the first well of
the campaign lockup occurred approximately 1,000 feet short of reaching total depth (TD), with several indications that
the premature friction lock up was occurring due to the presence of downhole debris. Some of these indications included
sudden changes in surface weight and over-pull when pulling out of the hole (POOH) with CT, indications that are not
consistent with friction lock alone. By curve matching predicted versus actual tubing forces seen during the first job,
updated lockup predictions were established and an adjusted friction coefficient approximately 19% higher than normal
was seen.

Debris became the definitive culprit after becoming stuck on the bottomhole assembly (BHA) on the subsequent well
during the running of the traditional PL tool. The traditional PL tool being utilized during the campaign uses a caliper
arm outfitted with spinners that measure flow rate and probes that measure gas and water hold-up (Figure 5). By taking
these measurements, flow rate of gas and water can be measured and flow rate of oil can be calculated based on the
difference in total flow rate and the combined gas and water flow rate. Although this setup provides a complete view of
downhole multi-phase flow it also introduces several points on the delicate tool that are susceptible to damage or
malfunction caused by downhole debris.

Figure 5: Traditional Production Logging Tool Configuration

6 SPE 154064

During an up-pass across the perforation clusters in the horizontal section of the well, the tension-compression sub also
installed in the BHA indicated increased tension measurements. This, combined with a sudden increase in CT surface
weight, indicated that the tool had become stuck downhole. After several techniques were applied to attempt to free the
tool a straight pull to the operational limits of the CT was applied finally freeing the tool and thus the CT. Damage to the
tool and some of the debris that caused the BHA to become stuck were observed on surface (Figure 6).

Figure 6: Damage to Traditional Production Logging Tool and Sample of Downhole Debris

Several other large pieces of rubber and composite plug parts were also dragged uphole to surface. Traditional PL tools
designed for use in wireline applications are often retrofitted for use with CT. This results in a tool design that is not
made to withstand forces typically applied with CT. Conversely, DTS does not rely on downhole measurements from
tools with appendages and uses standard CT connections and tools. Therefore, it is much more robust than traditional PL
tools, can withstand forces normally applied by CT, and allows for a BHA with virtually no points for debris to affect it.

Several options were discussed after this incident to help clean the wellbore. The annular velocities achievable with small
diameter CT and large completion size were not sufficient to lift large, heavy plug debris from the wellbore. Cleaning the
hole with a Venturi Junk Basket was also discussed, but the size of the debris and tool size limitations caused by through-
tubing applications did not make this a practical solution either. The only viable solution to clean the well and continue to
run traditional PL tools was to pull the production tubing in order to run larger tools and work string. After comparative
analysis of the traditional PL data to the DTS data, the decision was made to continue the campaign using only DTS to
log the production interval because of the tools robustness and insusceptibility to problems caused by debris.

As noted above, the decision to run DTS on the remainder of the campaign was contingent on validation of production
data obtained on Well 1, where both the traditional PL tool and DTS were run. Figure 7 shows results of the DTS
profile interpretation and the traditional PL tool.
SPE 154064 7

Figure 7: Comparison of Results from Distributed Temperature Survey and Traditional Production Logging Tool

From this comparison one can see that DTS yielded a gas production curve which correlates to the traditional PL tool
results. It is evident that in the perforated stage closest to the heel section of the well the traditional PL does not indicate
any flow rate. This was a result of significant water and debris in this part of the well making it difficult to get accurate
readings from the spinners on the traditional PL tool. Consequently, the decision was made by the wireline engineer on
location to forego logging this zone. This exemplifies the advantage of DTS due to its insusceptibility to debris where
traditional PL tools could not log.

While both methods give similar flow profiles throughout the well, differences between the traditional PL and DTS can
be attributed to several factors. This difference in total flow rate was a result of when each of these logs was taken. The
DTS profile was taken approximately 10 hours after a cleanout and nitrogen lift were performed, while the traditional PL
was run approximately 24 hours later in a separate run. During this time the well was transitioning from a transient flow
regime to a stable flow regime. Once again, time savings advantages due to the use of DTS are well illustrated through
this example. However, in situations where cleanouts are necessary, even with DTS, it is recommended to allow the well
at least 24 hours to re-stabilize prior to commencing any PL operation. This will allow the well to re-establish its
production temperature profile, alleviating the temperature impacts associated with the cleanout operation.

The correlation of traditional PL and DTS results gave the operator confidence to continue the campaign with only DTS,
while alleviating concerns of stuck pipe, damaged tools, or unreliable information. Combined with the decision to only
run DTS for the remainder of the campaign, it was also decided not to perform any type of cleanout prior to logging the
wells. The outcome was an exchange in total depth reached to gain significant operational time savings, a result that was
acceptable to the operator.
8 SPE 154064

CCAT*
Tubing Forces Av eraged Weight
20000
Predicted Pickup
Predicted Slackof f

15000
Averaged Weight - lbf

10000

5000

-5000

-10000
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000
Corrected Depth - ft
Schlumberger 1994-2009

Figure 8: Predicted Coiled Tubing Weight Trends and Lockup with Standard Cased Hole Friction Coefficients
versus Acquired Job Data

Figure 8 above shows the effects of debris on the total depth achieved during PL operations in the Marcellus shale. With
significant debris in the hole, increased friction was encountered and predicted lockup depths were not achieved.
However, over the course of the 10 well project, an average of 75% of the producing intervals were logged. The benefit
of forgoing cleanout operations was significant time savings as shown in Figure 9 below.

TimeBreakdownofOperations
100
90
TimeofOperation(hr)

%ofZoneCoverage

90
80 80
70 70
Rigdown
60 60 DTS
50 50
40 40
PLT
30 30 N2Lift
20 20
10 10 Cleanout
0 0
Rigup
Cleanout, Cleanout, DTS
PLT,DTS DTS
%ofZoneCoverage
OperationType
Figure 9: Operational Time Distribution of Production Logging Methods

Figure 9 shows operating times gathered during the Marcellus PL campaign for several different procedures. It can be
seen that operations which involved a cleanout prior to logging also require a time consuming nitrogen lift to bring the
wells back on to steady production before logging could be started. These operations increased total operational time by
approximately 80% over operations where a cleanout prior to logging was not necessary.
SPE 154064 9

Conclusion

Although there are a wide variety of oilfield applications for DTS, the Marcellus PL campaign example shows that a
niche exists in the PL market. Despite being limited in applicability for PL applications by factors such as water cut and
production rate, there are many distinct advantages that DTS offers over traditional PL methods when certain criteria are
met. In the Marcellus PL campaign example, the robustness of the toolstring, elimination of wellbore preparation
procedures, and reduced equipment requirements provided a cost competitive solution to continue to campaign to
completion. Operational times, potential for QHSE incidents and consequently overall cost were all reduced significantly
to complete the PL objectives, provided the wellbore conditions were met. From the data gathered during the campaign,
the operator was able to conclude many of its project objectives set to analyze consistency of stage contribution and
allocation, which provided support to continue with current completion strategies and propose opportunities for future
profile monitoring.

Ultimately, DTS provided a unique solution in harsh downhole conditions, where traditional logging tools could not
perform.

Acknowledgements

We would like the thank George Brown and Casey Chadwick from Schlumberger for providing their expertise in DTS
profile and production log interpretations. We would also like to thank Talisman Energy for sharing information gathered
during the campaign, making this paper possible.

References

1. Brown, George (2005): The Essentials of Fiber Optic Distributed Temperature Analysis, Schlumberger
2. D.Morbelli and T. Altinkopru, Schlumberger: Coiled Tubing Real-Time Downhole Measurements Reduce Total
Exposure to HSE Risks, SPE 126701, SPE International Conference on Health, Safety and Environment in Oil and Gas
Exploration and Production held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 12-14 April 2010
3. V.Noya, AR.Adil, K.Wolf, S.S. Chee, J. Stuker, F. Rodriguez, Schlumberger: Worlds First Production Logging With
Fiber-Optic Enabled Coiled Tubing (CT), SPE 142443, SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing and Well Intervention Conference
and Exhibition held in The Woodland, Texas, USA, 5-6 April 2010

Nomenclature

PL- Production Logging

DTS- Distributed Temperature Survey
CT- Coiled Tubing
TD- Total Depth
POOH-Pulling out of hole
BHA- Bottomhole Assembly