What is surface well test?
A well test is conducting a series of scheduled data acquisition activities in the petroleum industry. The data collected was studied in order to extend the information and improve the understanding of the hydrocarbon properties and the characteristics of the underground reservoir where the hydrocarbons are stored.
The analysis will also provide details on the particular well-used state of data collection. Identifying the potential of the reservoir to generate hydrocarbons such as oil, natural gas and condensate is the overall objective.
Different Well test Equipments:
Surface testing equipment is essential to ensure that your test operations are reliable and sensitive in the event of an emergency.
1. Flow Head
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Supports the weight of the DST string.
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Allows movements of the test string up / down.
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It allows the well to flow through the flow valve.
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It allows pumping fluid to the well through the kill valve.
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It allows to introduce tools in the well through the swab valve.
2. Surface Safety Valve
The SSV is used to close the well upstream of the choke. Manifold in case of an emergency. It is operated through of a hydraulic system, known as ESD Panel.
3. Sand filter:
It is positioned as close as possible to the flow head (usually upstream of the choke manifold) to intercept solids from the effluent, and prevent equipment erosion.
4. Data Header:
The data header is used to connect measuring instruments and sensors to acquire pressure and temperature data upstream of the choke manifold.
5. Choke Manifold:
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It allows the well to flow with different reducer diameters: controlling the flow rate.
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Prevents the conification of water and gas: limiting the flow rate.
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Prevents or decreases sand formation.
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Ensures the critical flow condition: fluctuations in the downstream pressures of the choke manifold have no effect on the bottom conditions of the well.
6. Emergency Shut Down system (ESD system)
Emergency Shut Down system allows the flow valve and the surface safety valve to be closed quickly and safely from a remote station.
7. Steam Exchangers:
The Steam Exchanger is used to increase the temperature of the effluent from the well in order to decrease or prevent the formation of hydrates (gas wells), break emulsion and reduce the viscosity of the fluid and prevent the formation of foam (oil wells), and improve hydrocarbon burning.
8. Separator:
The test separator allows the separation, measurement and sampling of the different phases of the effluent, regardless of the type of fluid with which we are working: gas, condensed gas, light oil, heavy oil and sparkling oil, as well as water and any other impurities.
9. Gauge Tank and Surge Tank:
Both are designed to calibrate the liquid meter, store crude, measure the shrinkage factor of the fluid, and measure low flow rates.
The gauge tank is not designed to support H2S. The surge tank is a pressurized tank.
10. Transfer Pump:
It is used to empty storage tanks. It also positively influences the atomization process during hydrocarbon burning.
11. Gas Manifold and Oil Manifold:
The Manifold Gas is mainly located at the outlet of the gas line of the separator, which allows the flow to one burner or another.
The Oil manifold is located mainly at the outlet of the separator oil line, which allows the flow to the calibration tank and / or to the burner.
12. Burners and Booms
The hydrocarbon is disposed through the burners located at the end of the boom in order to reduce radiation on the platform.
For safety, two booms and two burners are placed in order to use the one in favor of the wind direction.