Innovative critical sour gas extended production test through surface coiled tubing

This paper describes the deliverability test of a critical, sour, natural-gas well that uses coiled tubing as a surface pipeline. Conventional production deliverability tests are constrained by regulatory limitations on emissions and flaring, affecting test duration and reservoir evaluation. Conventional tests also carry significant environmental impact, and the lost revenue from flared gas hampers the economic justification of the test. This paper describes the concept, the background analysis, and the field production test. A safety-focused procedure was developed using surface coiled tubing for in-line testing of high-rate, critical, sour gas wells. This prototype method allows a proper evaluation of a well without the commitment and installation of a permanent pipeline, the volume restraint imposed by regulatory limitations, harm to the environment, and compromising economic value. This method of well production deliverability tests is projected to become an attractive alternative for the Alberta oil and gas industry.