16.

Production Logging

Summary
Production logging deals with the cased hole logging techniques available to
measure / monitor the fluid production flow behaviour in tubing and/or casing
during production.

Typical methods / measurements of the conventional production Logging Tool

(PLT) are:
- flow velocity (e.g. using the spinner)
- fluid density
- flow noise
- temperature

The flow behaviour is very different for single and multiphase flow. The latter
strongly depend on hole deviation. For such conditions, more modern tools exist,
like the MCFM from Baker Atlas (jointly developed with Shell) and Schlumberger’s
Flagship, which combine PNC/PNS measurements with PLT type measurements.

References
- James J. Smolen, Cased hole and Production log evaluation, PennWell Books, 1996
- Schlumberger, Cased Hole Log Interpretation Principles/Applications, 1989
- Oilfield Review, Winter 1996, pp. 44-64

Why Production Logging ?

The primary goal of Production Logging is reconciliation of downhole inflow with
surface rates and results from reservoir modelling. Differences may be reveal
typical mechanical well problems as highlighted in Fig. 1.

Single phase flow

Single phase flow can be laminar of turbulent (Fig. 2) dependent on the Reynolds
number (Fig. 3: the fans of lines correspond from top to bottom to viscosities of 1,
10 and 100 centipoise respectively).

The flow velocity can be measured with spinner tools (Figs. 4 & 5). Ideally the
spinner rotation speed (rotations per second, rps) should correspond linearly to the
flow velocity (Fig. 6). However, the actual response is more complicated because
of effects due to viscosity (Fig. 7) and friction (Fig. 8). Therefore, standard practice
is to make several runs with different tool velocities (several runs with the tool
moving up and several with the tool moving down): Figs. 9 and 10. If the fluid is
moving up faster than the tool is moving up, the spinner response is positive, but if
the tool is moving up faster the spinner response is negative (the spinner rotates in
the other direction). Only the spinner absolute response (rps) is plotted though
(regardless of the rotation direction) and one has to take this “spinner reversal”
into account (Fig. 12: the bottom part should be plotted on a negative scale). One
can combine an up and a down run and overlay them in the region of no fluid flow.
A separation then is indicative of a flowing zone: Fig. 11. The actual flow velocity
can be obtained from the displacement of a line through points obtained at various
(up and down) tool velocities with respect to the line for zero flow: Fig. 10.

Slip velocity and hold-up

If water and hydrocarbon are flowing simultaneously, there can be a difference in
velocity between the two fluids. This is called slip velocity. This has to be
differentiated from the hold-up which is the fraction of the total volume that is
occupied by the fluid (hence, there is a water hold-up and a hydrocarbon hold-up):
Figs. 13. The slip velocity is related to hold-up and density difference (Fig. 14) and
hole deviation.

Multi-phase flow regimes

If liquids and gas are flowing simultaneously, different flow regimes can result,
depending on fluid velocities (Figs. 15) and borehole deviation. Because of that,
conventional (spinner) flow meters may not work anymore in deviated wells (Figs.
16 & 17). As the hole deviation may change with depth the flow regime may
change with (along hole) depth as well. The modern contractor tools (like the
MCFM and the FlagShip) cope much better with these conditions (Fig. 18).
 Fig. 1 Mechanical Well Problems

Fig. 2 Fluid Phases in the Wellbore

velocity = 0
at pipe wall

Laminar Flow Turbulent Flow

 10000
10000
Reynolds Number v Flow rate
Turbulent 3 flow
for 1.0g/cm fluid
1 centipoise

.
.
Turbulent flow

Transition zone
transition zone

Number Nre
1000 10 centipoise

Laminar flow

Reynolds number
Reynolds
Laminar flow

100 centipoise

100
100

Pipe
pipe OD
od

Nre = ρvD/μ 3
4
5
6
8
10
10
10 1000
10 Flowrate 100
(bbl/day)
Flow rate in barrels/day
1000
Copyright 2001 SIEP b.v.
This example: ρ = 1 g/cc

Fig. 3 Relationships of Re number to Flowrate

Fullbore Spinner Flowmeter

Centralizer
blades can
fold up
23.5
to run the
tool through
tubing

11.6
.

Fig. 4 The Fullbore Flowmeter

 Basket flow meter

Exit ports

Spinner

Metal petals

DC motor

Fig. 5 The Basket Flow Meter

Fig. 6 Ideal Response of the Spinner with Fluid Velocity

Spinner
rps

Fluid Velocity Fluid Velocity

DOWN UP
Fig. 7 Effect of Viscosity Is to Change the Spinner Response
away from the Ideal Line

Spinner
rps

increasing
viscosity

Fluid Velocity Fluid Velocity

DOWN UP

increasing
viscosity

Fig. 8 Mechanical Effects are seen at Very Low Flowrates

Spinner
rps

increasing
mechanical viscosity
effects

Fluid Velocity Fluid Velocity

DOWN UP

increasing
viscosity
 Fig. 9 Plot with Tool Velocity Substituted for Fluid Velocity

Spinner
rps

increasing
mechanical viscosity
effects

Tool Velocity Tool Velocity

UP DOWN

increasing
viscosity

Fig. 10 Flowing Fluids add their Velocity to that of the Tool changing
the Flow away from the Zero Calibration Line

Spinner
rps

Vf w
Midpoint Flo
ro
Ze
Tool Velocity
UP

Vf Tool Velocity
ow DOWN
Vf Fl
ro
Ze
 Overlay of “run up” and
“run down” curves

Run Run
Up Down
600
Perforations

Spinners
700

Temperature

Gradio

800

Fig. 11 A Typical Production Log

Spinner reversals

Spinner, rps

tool moving
slower than
the fluid
(+ rps)
Spinner
Reversed
tool moving
faster than
the fluid
(- rps)

Fig. 12 Spinner Reversals

Fig. 13 Simplified Model Illustrating Slip Velocity

VO VW

YW

VO = VW + VS

ρmix = YWρW + Yoρo = YW ρW + (1 –YW) ρo

ρmix = YWρW + ρo – YWρo = YW (ρW – ρ ) + ρo
ρ – ρo
YW = mix
ρW – ρo

Fig. 14 Standard Chart for Slippage Velocity

 Fig. 15 Fluid Phases in the Wellbore

FLOW REGIMES
102

LIQUID VELOCITY

10
REGION I

REGION II REGION III

N
IO
SIT
AN
TR
1
BUBBLE FLOW

MIST FLOW
SLUG FLOW
PLUG FLOW
10-1 1 10 102 103
GAS VELOCITY

Fig. 16 Flowmeters may read Two Different Types of Flow

in Deviated Wells
 Flow restrictions in undulating boreholes

Trapped
gas

Trapped
water

Fig. 17 Complexities in Horizontal Wells

MCFM - Measurement
Concept

Flow Direction

– Level and holdup determined from sensors at 8 levels across wellbore (12
bit)
– Velocity determined from correlation of adjacent sensors on 4 rows (1 bit)

Copyright 2001 SIEP b.v.

Fig. 18 The MCFM from Baker Atlas