Reliable reservoir measurements saves operator USD 1 million

Overview

A major operator was drilling in the challenging area of Baku, Azerbaijan, located on the Caspian Sea. To ensure well stability and control other risks, formation pressure measurements needed to be acquired from a reservoir characterized by low permeability and low mobility sand layers, with a total depth of 6-7km. Since the differential pressure/overbalance was very high (approximately 6,200-7,500 psi), the standard rated formation pressure testing systems (with maximum 6,000 psi drawdown) were not equipped to show enough drawdown, buildup and stabilization.

The Sperry Drilling team provided the GeoTap® formation pressure tester service 10K psi drawdown capability tool to meet demands of this specific job and the region in general. The improved GeoTap sensor technology made it possible to obtain real-time, direct pore pressure measurements with accuracy and precision comparable to that of wireline formation testers the GeoTap 10K PSI sensor technology, but with less risk and lower cost.