Well testing without a flare

Statoil will cooperate with Shell, Petrotech and Halliburton on the development of a method for downhole testing of oil and gas wells.

Statoil took the initiative for the testing method and its further development.

“Through the SILD method (sampling integrated logging device) well testing can be carried out without hydrocarbons being produced at the surface. In addition, we get sufficient reservoir information through the newly-developed downhole equipment,” reports Rolf Dirdal, who is following up the project on behalf of Statoil.

With conventional well testing, reservoir fluids are measured at the surface before the hydrocarbons are flared off.

If the fluid is tested in the well, environmentally harmful discharges can be prevented. Calculations also indicate that the method will be less expensive than conventional testing since it requires less time, equipment and personnel. Consequently, more information can be obtained from several reservoir zones in the well, adds Mr Dirdal.

He says that the testing method will be fully developed by the first half of 2003. The method and equipment will then be tested out on some pilot wells. The objective is to market the concept in order to replace the traditional method.

The project has received approval for financial aid from the Research Council of Norway’s Demo 2000 programme, which supports the development of new technology in the oil industry.