| Project Information |
| Project ID: | DE-FC26-01BC15165 |
| Project Title: | Calibration and Testing of Sonic Stimulation Technologies |
| FE Program: | Gas/Oil - Diagnostics and Imaging |
| Research Type: | To Be Provided |
| Funding Memorandum: | Cooperative Agree't (nonCCT) - Tech R&D |
| Project Performer |
| Performer Type: | State Higher Education Institution |
| Performer: | Michigan Technological University
1400 Townsend Drive |
| Project Team Members: |
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| Project Location |
| City: | Houghton |
| State: | Michigan |
| Zip Code: | 49931-1295 |
| Congressional District: | 01 |
| Responsible FE Site: | NETL |
| Project Point of Contact |
| Name: | Pennington, Wayne D. |
| Telephone: | (906) 487-2531 |
| Fax Number: | (906) 487-3371 |
| Email Address: | wayne@mtu.edu |
| Fossil Energy Point of Contact |
| Name: | Barnes, James L. |
| Telephone: | (918) 699-2076 |
| Location: | NETL |
| Email Address: | Jim.Barnes@netl.doe.gov |
| Project Dates |
| Start Date: | 10/01/2001 |
| End Date: | 12/31/2004 |
| Contract Specialist |
| Name: | Miles, Keith R. |
| Telephone: | (412) 386-5984 |
| Cost & Funding Information |
| Total Est. Cost: | $1,250,509 |
| DOE Share: | $999,995 |
| Non DOE Share: | $250,514 |
| Project Description |
Design and conduct field experiments of sonic stimulation methods to determine the far-field characteristics of the various sonic sources in use today and thereby provide the fundamental observations on which theoretical understanding and operational considerations can be advanced.
· Provide a set of sonic-source calibration standards for use in theoretical models, laboratory simulations, tool design, tool deployments, and field demonstrations.
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| Project Background |
Sonic stimulation is an emerging technology that has been used in the last decade to enhance oil field production on multiple continents; however, these attempts have not contained sufficient scientific rigor to form a solid theoretical basis for the technology. Stimulation experts have concluding that this lack of basic understanding has led to a proliferation ofwidely varied tools, having varied effects and inconsistent yet promising results.
Scientific theories for the mechanism of sonic stimulation currently depend strongly on the levels of vibrational energy partitioned among the fluid and solid phases in the formation, yet these levels are presently unknown. Laboratory simulations are limited in their ability to provide meaningful results without knowing what levels can be achieved in the field. Theoreticians are developing models that require knowledge of absolute levels of vibrational motion, yet those levels have not been scientifically calculated. This project is intended to provide the bridge between laboratory experiments and field performance.
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| Project Milestones |
| This information is currently unavailable. |
| Project Accomplishments |
| Title: | Fact Sheet Update |
| Date: | 08/01/2005 |
Description | MTU conducted experiments at a test site located in the northern Michigan reef trend that provides ideal conditions for remote monitoring of the far-field effects induced by the sonic stimulation tools. The test facility is extremely well characterized. The entire geological sequence at the site consists of high velocity formations, ensuring very efficient seismic wave propagation. After successful testing and establishing calibration standards, the project now provides a basis for all other stakeholders interested in testing their sonic tools or processes in a well-defined, controlled environment. This test site has been made available to the industry at large for calibration and testing of additional sonic source tools.
This engineering breakthrough in application, understanding and quantifying sonic device effectiveness is to be demonstrated for two tools of widely differing design, establishing a standard for the calibration of other sonic source tools. The anticipated scientific benefit is the establishment of a standard procedure and test site to be used in field equipment testing. The application of these results to tool design and deployment should significantly improve the performance, reliability, and predictability of sonic technologies. As the project work drew to a close, other providers of new sonic sources showed strong interest in joining the testing program.
This project has involved three top experts in the field, Dr. Wayne Pennington, Dr. Roger Turpening and Dr. Igor Beresnev of Iowa State University. Dr Beresnev is a recognized expert in development of the theoretical foundation of sonic stimulation. Sonic source devices tested included three (3) downhole and one (1) surface source; an oscillating, high pressure water, tubing conveyed perforation cleaning device furnished by Clean Tools Ltd.; another perforation cleaning tubing conveyed tool by Downhole Fluidics; a down hole piezo-electric reservoir imaging source provided by Baker-Hughes, and a surface vibrator manufactured by Industrial Vehicles International, Inc. and provided by Bay Geophysical.
It should be noted that even the most powerful of the sonic sources failed to be recorded in the target well, located approximately 2000 feet away from the source well.
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