SPE 77897
Applications of Permanent Downhole Pressure, Temperature, and Flow Rate
Measurements for Reservoir Description and Production Optimization: a Taxonomy,
Processes, and Benefits
Nestor V. Queipo, SPE, Alexander Verde, SPE, Javier Goicochea, David Romero, Applied Computing Institute, University
of Zulia, Venezuela; Alexander Zambrano and Annette Bracho, PDVSA Exploration and Production.
Copyright 2002, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and
Exhibition (APOGCE) held in Melbourne, Australia, 8-10 October 2002.
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Abstract
The resolution and accuracy provided by the existing
technology for downhole (pressure and temperature) and rate
measurements are unprecedented. However, while the
potential benefits have been outlined, the models and
processes required to reap these benefits (in particular the
quantifiable ones) have not been sufficiently documented. In
addition, considering the increasing number of reported work
in this area, it is necessary to provided a framework for the
analysis and discussion of existing and upcoming applications.
This paper presents a: i) summary and classification of
downhole and flow rate measurements applications, ii) a
discussion of their benefits for reservoir description and
production optimization, and iii) the models and processes
required to obtain those benefits.
The above-referenced applications are classified in three
main areas: reservoir characterization, reservoir/well flow
modeling, and process monitoring. The discussion of each
application includes: benefits, previously reported work,
required measurements and other relevant data, and a general
description of the necessary models and processes.
The paper is expected to be useful assessing the possible
impact of investments (business cases) in permanent downhole
and flow rate measurements, designing plans for the develop-
ment or acquisition of applications, and establishing the
knowledge requirements in the context of training programs.
Introduction
The resolution and accuracy provided by the existing
technology for downhole (pressure and temperature) and rate
measurements are unprecedented. However, while the
potential benefits have been outlined, the models and
processes required to reap these benefits (in particular the
quantifiable ones) have not been sufficiently documented. In
addition, considering the increasing number of reported work
in this area, it is necessary to provided a framework for the
analysis and discussion of existing and upcoming applications.
This paper presents a: i) summary and classification of
downhole and flow rate measurements applications, ii) a
discussion of their benefits for reservoir description and
production optimization, and iii) the models and processes
required to obtain those benefits.
A Taxonomy of Applications
The applications of permanent downhole pressure,
temperature, and flow rate measurements are classified in
three non-overlapping categories: reservoir characterization,
reservoir/well flow modeling, and processes monitoring.
Tables 1-3 provide examples of applications and reported
work in each category, with indications of the measurements
involved, and the character of the estimation (qualitative or
quantitative). The estimations are typically obtained using the
down hole and/or flow rate measurements, coupled with
numerical or analytical tools.
Reservoir characterization. The objective of the applications
in this category is to assist in the reservoir description process,
through the estimation of permeability, porosity, geothermal
gradient, aquifer parameters, and identification of inter-
connectivity between injectors and producers.
Reservoir/well flow modeling. These applications model the
flow behavior in the well or the reservoir. Examples of
applications in this category are: estimations of pressure drop
and temperature profiles along wells, well model calibration,
flow rate estimations, and the identification of injection
preferred zones and operational problems.
2 N. QUEIPO, A. VERDE, J. GOICOCHEA, D. ROMERO, A. ZAMBRANO AND A. BRACHO
Process monitoring. These applications monitor the
performance in processes such as cementation, and artificial
lift (ESP and Gas-lift).
Processes and Benefits
This section describes the benefits and processes associated
with representative applications in the above-referenced
categories (reservoir characterization, reservoir/well flow
modeling, and process monitoring). In each case, the required
sensor measurements and modeling tools are also indicated.
Reservoir Characterization1-10. Table 1 summarizes the
applications under consideration including reported work, with
indications of the measurements involved, and the character of
the estimation (qualitative or quantitative).
Estimation of drainage area parameters1-4. Parameters
such as, average pressure, skin factor, average permeability,
and distance to drainage area limits could be obtained by
solving an optimization problem. The cited problem is to find
the parameters of a selected drainage area model such that the
sum of the square of the differences between the observed and
calculated production values is minimized. The calculated
values correspond to solutions of the diffusivity equation
subject to proper boundary conditions. These applications
have the potential to: i) estimate reservoir parameters without
deferred production, and ii) reduce the uncertainty in reservoir
model parameters. Downhole pressure and flow rate
measurements are required.
Estimation of the geothermal gradient5. It is obtained
averaging the temperature profiles of a set of wells that have
been closed long enough so that thermal equilibrium has been
reached between the fluids at the wells and those in the
formation. The geothermal gradient estimation provides a
reference temperature profile, and initial and boundary
conditions of reservoir and well models. The temperature pro-
files along the wells are required.
Estimation of water influx model parameters2,6. These
para-meters could be obtained finding the set of values that
mini-mize the sum of the square of the differences between the
water influxs calculated from an aquifer model and those
obtained from material balance considerations. Measurements
of flowing bottomhole pressure, and multiphase flow rates
reduce the uncertainty in the calculation of the pressure drops
at the oil water contact and of the water influx. These
applications lead to better estimations of water saturation in
the reservoir, and forecasts of water influx under alternative
operational con-ditions.
Acquisition of well test data7,8. The availability of
permanent downhole pressure sensors allows for the remote
execution of Buildup tests, and the reduction of deferred
production and operational costs.
Validation of Buildup test data9. These applications are
based on the fact that during Buildup tests, the transient
bottomhole pressure and temperature responses are qualita-
tively similar (both processes are modeled by the diffusivity
equation). This result in some degree of redundancy in the
SPE 77897
collected data during a Buildup test if bottomhole pressure and
temperature measurements are available during the well test.
Estimating permeability between injector and producer
wells10. The arrival time of injected fluids to producer wells
could be identified by the presence of substantial changes in
the temperature profiles along the producer wells. This time in
turn could be used to estimate the average permeability among
the injector and producing wells and improve the reservoir
description. Temperature measurements along the injector and
producer wells are required.
Reservoir/well flow modeling1,4,6,10-18. Table 2 summarizes
the applications under consideration including reported work,
with indications of the measurements involved, and the
character of the estimation (qualitative or quantitative).
Estimation of multiphase flow rates11-13. The estimation of
multiphase flow rates in based in the principle that the
temperature profiles along the wells are influenced by the
multiphase flow rates. Hence, assisted by a well thermal
model, multiphase flow rates could be obtained by finding the
set of flow rate values that minimize the square of the
difference between the temperature profiles measured and the
one obtained using a well thermal model. These applications
allow: i) continuous estimation of well flow rates, ii)
estimations of well flow rates from different reservoirs, and
iii) validation of flow rate measurements at the wellhead.
Using the same principle it is also possible to identify flow
behind the casing, crossflow, and gas and water coning.
Temperature measurements along the well are required.
Detection of preferred injection zones10. The qualitative
identification of preferred injection zones could be achieved
analyzing the heating (cooling) rate of the fluids in the well.
It is expected that after the well is closed, an injected fluid
such as water (vapor) increase (decrease) its temperature until
it reaches the temperature corresponding to the geothermal
gradient. Injection zones that have received greater volumes of
water (vapor) with respect to others will exhibit a lower
heating (cooling) rate. Temperature measurements along the
well are required.
Detection of water injection problems14,15. Some problems
during the water injection process associated with unexpected
changes of the injectivity index (high permeability channels,
plugging of productive zones) can be detected by monitoring
the pressure at the completed zones. Changes in the injectivity
index of a given zone can be obtained using a well flow model
by finding the injectivity index that will calculate a pressure at
the zone that minimize the square of the difference between
the observed and calculated values. Pressure measurements are
required at the injection zones.
Calibration of well and reservoir models1,4,6,16,17. Model
parameters at the reservoir (e.g. relative permeability curves,
skin factors, porosity) and well level (e.g. heat transfer
coefficients) could be better estimated (calibration) if
multiphase flow rates, and bottomhole pressure and
temperature profile measurements are available. A better
estimation of the well and reservoir model parameters
improves their prediction capabilities.
 APPLICATIONS OF PERMANENT DOWNHOLE PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE, AND FLOW RATE MEASUREMENTS FOR
SPE 77897 RESERVOIR DESCRIPTION AND PRODUCTION OPTIMIZATION: A TAXONOMY, PROCESSES, AND BENEFITS
Pressure drop calculations in producer and injector
wells18. Pressure drop calculations are critical for estimating
the lifting capabilities of producer wells and the required
pressure at the wellhead in injector wells. In general, these
calculations may involve the numerical solution of the
pressure gradient and the energy equations. Having available
temperature measure-ments along the well will simplify the
pressure drop calculation since only the pressure gradient
equation may need to be solved. Multiphase flow
measurements and bottomhole pressure measurements will
reduce the uncertainty in the pressure and temperature
estimations along the well.
Process monitoring10,19-21. Table 3 summarizes the applica-
tions under consideration including reported work, with indi-
cations of the measurements involved, and the character of the
estimation (qualitative or quantitative).
Monitoring of injection valves in artificial gas lift
processes10,19. In general, the injection of gas through valves
results in a temperature drop of the fluids in the well,
consequence of the cooling of the expanded gas (Joule-
Thompson). The degree of cooling depends, among other
factors, of the temperature and pressure of the incoming gas
and fluids in the well, gas composition, and the mass flow
rates of the transported fluids. For example, for natural gas, a
pressure drop of 100 psi will result in a temperature drop
between 1.6 y 3.3 °C. Hence, malfunctioning injection valves
can be quickly identified through deviations of characteristic
temperature profiles along the wells. Temperature
measurements along the wells are required.
Monitoring of electrical submersible pumps (ESP)20,21.
Flowing bottomhole pressure and temperature measurements
below the ESP could lead to early detection of operational
conditions outside of those recommended by the manufacturer,
a reduction of time between failures, and deferred production.
Monitoring of cementing processes. The setting of the
cement is characterized by an exothermic reaction with heat
transfer to the fluids in the well. As a result, an area where the
cement setting has occurred is associated with a temperature
incre-ment, not present in those with poor cementation.
Temperature measurements along the wells are required.
Conclusions and recommendations
This paper presents a: i) summary and classification of
downhole and flow rate measurements applications, ii) a
discussion of their benefits for reservoir description and
production optimization, and iii) the models and processes
required to obtain those benefits.
The above-referenced applications are classified in three
main areas: reservoir characterization, reservoir/well flow
modeling, and process monitoring. The discussion of each
application includes: benefits, previously reported work,
required measurements and other relevant data, and a general
description of the necessary models and processes.
The paper is expected to be useful assessing the possible
impact of investments (business cases) in permanent downhole
3
and rate measurements, designing plans for the development
or acquisition of applications, and establishing the knowledge
requirements in the context of training programs.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Petróleos de Venezuela
(PDVSA) Production Excellence Center and AIT Western
Division for their support and permission to publish this paper.
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SPE 77897
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 APPLICATIONS OF PERMANENT DOWNHOLE PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE, AND FLOW RATE MEASUREMENTS FOR
SPE 77897 RESERVOIR DESCRIPTION AND PRODUCTION OPTIMIZATION: A TAXONOMY, PROCESSES, AND BENEFITS 5

TABLE 1 – APPLICATIONS OF PERMANENT DOWNHOLE PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE, AND

FLOW RATE MEASUREMENTS FOR RESERVOIR CHARACTERIZATION
Application References Type Measurements

Estimation of drainage area Athichanagorn et al. (1999) Quantitative Pressure

parameters Shepherd et al. (1991) Flow rates
Tibold et al. (2000)
Unneland et al. (1997)

Estimation of the Petricola and Watfa (1993) Quantitative Temperature

geothermal gradient profile

Estimation of water influx Shepherd et al. (1991) Quantitative Pressure

model parameters Buchwalter et al. (2000) Flow rates

Acquisition of well test data Horne (2000) Quantitative Pressure

Matthews and Russell (1967)

Validation of Buildup test Jones (1988) Qualitative Pressure

data Temperature

Estimating permeability
between injector and Laurence and Brown, 2000 Quantitative Temperature
producer wells

TABLE 2 – APPLICATIONS OF PERMANENT DOWNHOLE PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE, AND

FLOW RATE MEASUREMENTS FOR RESERVOIR/WELL FLUID MODELING
Application References Type Measurements

Estimation of multiphase Hasan and Kabir (1991a) Quantitative Temperature

flow rates Hasan and Kabir (1991b) profile
Ramey (1962)

Detection of preferred Laurence and Brown (2000) Qualitative Temperature

injection zones profile

Detection of water injection Hasan and Kabir (1986a) Qualitative Pressure

problems Hasan and Kabir (1986b)

Calibration of well and Athichanagorn et al. (1999) Quantitative Pressure

reservoir models Unneland et al. (1997) Temperature
Buchwalter et al. (2000) profile
Queipo et al. (2000) Flow rates
Unneland et al. (1994)

Pressure drop calculations Quantitative Pressure

in producer and injector Butler et al. (2000) Temperature
wells profile
Flow rates
6 N. QUEIPO, A. VERDE, J. GOICOCHEA, D. ROMERO, A. ZAMBRANO AND A. BRACHO SPE 77897

TABLE 3 – APPLICATIONS OF PERMANENT DOWNHOLE PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE, AND

FLOW RATE MEASUREMENTS FOR PROCESS MONITORING
Application References Type Measurements

Monitoring of injection Laurence and Brown (2000) Qualitative Temperature

valves in artificial gas lift Steffensen and Smith (1973) profile
processes

Monitoring of electrical Chalatumyk and Moffatt (1995) Qualitative Pressure

submersible pumps (ESP) Gallivan et al. (1988) Temperature

Monitoring of cementing -------------------------------------- Qualitative Temperature

processes profile