Date of Graduation

1999

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair

John Loth

Committee Member

Sam Ameri

Committee Member

Shahab Mohaghegh

Committee Member

Scott Wayne

Abstract

Well performance analysis using pressure/time data are historically collected over a time span of minutes and hours. Such pressure/time performance is controlled by Darcy type fluid seepage, and used to define the formation boundaries and permeability. A different pressure transient is used to determine the acoustic characteristics of the open flow passages of a well. A pressure transient can be induced by a sudden change in flow rate. The wave travels towards the casing perforations and back to the surface. The reflected signal contains the piping and fracture acoustic signature within it. The transient signal lasts less than a minute. For example if the wave speed is 4000 ft/s and the casing is 8000 ft. deep then the wave travels in 2 seconds from one end to the other. A program was written to model the acoustic characteristics of the well flow passages including: pump supply tube, casing, and fractures.

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