The KAPPA Advanced Pressure Transient Analysis (APTA) course has been designed to assist experienced interpretation engineers in dealing with the advanced functionality of the Ecrin PTA module (Saphir NL), and the more complex aspects of pressure transient analysis. Many examples are worked ‘hands on’ to illustrate the practical aspects of complex cases using the analytical and numerical modeling in Saphir NL.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own data examples to be worked in the class.

To attend the APTA course it is essential you have attended the Foundation Pressure Transient Analysis course (DDA I) or its equivalent and have at least six months of ‘real world’ transient analysis experience. Without this experience it is unlikely you will keep pace with the course.

To check that you are ready to attend the APTA course please try the self assessment test on our website.

If you are an experienced PTA engineer but are not familiar with Saphir we can arrange a free demonstration copy of the software to assist you in your preparation prior to the course. Please contact tcs@kappaeng.com for assistance.

The use of Saphir NL, the PTA module of the Ecrin DDA software suite, will be taught at an advanced level as part of this course. It is essential that attendees have attained a good working knowledge of Saphir prior to registering for this course.

A refresher to cover the basic theory, to correct any misconceptions and to look in depth at transient analysis tools. The session includes the theory of diffusion, IARF and pseudo-steady state. The concept of the Bourdet derivative including derivation, properties and limitations. Test design and objectives, superposition in time and in space, sensitivity to input parameters, radius of investigation. Transient analysis and where it sits in relation to other reservoir engineering methods. Constant wellbore storage and why it never is, skin components, standard interpretation models including finite radius and fractured wells, double-porosity reservoirs and boundary effects. This will also include a revision of the use of Saphir, with help on shortcuts and advanced level functionality.

A detailed look and worked examples of horizontal, slanted and limited entry wells. This will include looking at the theoretical derivation and response and comparing this to what happens in the real world. A detailed look at the parameters affecting pressure behavior in horizontal wells including low vertical permeability and partial horizontal drainage. The session will include a number of real examples to illustrate the various issues.

Heterogeneous, composite reservoirs; their bad reputation and their real world use illustrated with examples. Complex boundary conditions and unconventional limits including constant pressure boundaries, leaking, conductive and non-continuous faults handled with a common sense approach. Finite reservoirs and material balance and the effect of compressibility on reserve estimations. Layered reservoirs from the simple two layer analytical case to the complex numerical multilayer.

The principle and the use of the complete production and pressure history, the use of the method as a for seeing deeper into the reservoir coupled with the limitations and caveats of the method.

Complex, composite and heterogeneous reservoirs including multiwell analysis, PVT considerations, variable thicknesses, porosities and permeabilities, diaphasic flow and gas cap/aquifer drive.

The final afternoon is an opportunity to work with real data provided by attendees or specific cases from the extensive KAPPA example catalogue. As this is an advanced course, we would encourage delegates to raise any additional specific queries they may have either prior to, or during the course.