PCB 3013 CHP 2 Introduction

Well Test Analysis (PAB 3013)
Introduction to Well Testing

AP. Dr. Muhannad Talib Shuker
GPE Department
1 PAB 3013 by Dr. Muhannad Talib
Shuker
Introduction to Well Testing

2
1. Description of A Well Test

2. Well Test Objectives

3. Information Obtained From Well Testing
PAB 3013 by Dr. Muhannad Talib
Shuker
Description of a Well Test

3
During a well test, a transient pressure response is
created by a temporary change in production rate
(1)
.
R
a
t
e
,

q

P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e
,

P

Time, t
drawdown build-up
P
i
Shuker

4
The well response is usually monitored during a relatively short
period of time compared to the life of the reservoir, depending
upon the test objectives.

For well evaluation, tests are frequently achieved in less than two
days.

In the case of reservoir limit testing, several months of pressure
data may be needed.

Shuker

5
In most cases, the flow rate is measured at surface while the
pressure is recorded down-hole.

Before opening, the initial pressure Pi is constant and uniform in
the reservoir.

During the flowing period, the drawdown pressure response p is
defined as follows:

Shuker

6
Pressure Buildup and Pressure Drawdown Sequence
Shuker

7

When the well is shut-in, the build-up pressure change p
is estimated from the last flowing pressure p(t=0):

The pressure response is analyzed versus the elapsed
time t since the start of the period
(time of opening or shut-in).

Shuker
Well Test Objectives

8
Well test analysis provides information on the reservoir and on
the well.

Geological, geophysical and petro-physical information is used
where possible in conjunction with the well test information to
build a reservoir model for prediction of the field behavior and
fluid recovery for different operating scenarios.

The quality of the communication between the well and the
reservoir indicates the possibility to improve the well productivity.

Usually, the test objectives can be summarized as follows:

Shuker

9
Exploration well: To confirm the exploration hypothesis and to
establish a first production forecast: nature and the rate of produced
fluids, initial pressure and well and reservoir properties (DST Drill
Stem Testing)

Appraisal well: To confirm the well productivity, reservoir
heterogeneities and boundaries, drive mechanisms. Bottom hole
fluid samples are taken for PVT analysis. Longer duration testing
(production testing) is usually carried out.

Development well: Periodic tests to adjust the reservoir description
and to evaluate the need for well treatment, such as work-over,
perforation strategy or completion design, to maximize the well's
production life. Communication between wells (interference testing),
monitoring of the average reservoir pressure are some usual
objectives of development well testing.

Shuker

10
Information Obtained from Well Testing

Well test responses characterize the ability of the fluid flow through
the reservoir and to the well.

Test provide a description of the reservoir in dynamic conditions, as
opposed to geological and log data.

As the investigated reservoir volume is relatively large, the
estimated parameters are average values. From pressure curve
analysis, it is possible to determine the following properties
(1)
:
Shuker

11
Reservoir description
Permeability (horizontal and vertical)
Reservoir heterogeneities (natural fractures, layering, change
of characteristics)
Boundaries (distance, size and shape),
Pressures (initial p; and average p ).

Well description
Production potential (productivity index PI and skin factor S)
Well Geometry
Shuker
Test Procedure

12
Drawdown test:
The flowing bottom hole pressure is used for analysis. Ideally, the well
should be producing at constant rate but in practice, this is difficult to
achieve and drawdown pressure data is erratic.
The analysis of flowing periods (drawdown) is frequently difficult and
inaccurate.

Build-up test:
The increase of bottom hole pressure after shut-in is used for
analysis. Before the build-up test, the well must have been flowing
long enough to reach stabilized rate.
During shut-in periods, the flow rate is accurately controlled (zero).
It is for this reason build up tests should be performed.
Shuker
Test Procedure

13
Injection test /fall-off test:
When fluid is injected into the reservoir, the bottom hole pressure
increases and, after shut-in, it drops during the fall-off period. The
properties of the injected fluid are in general different from that of
the reservoir fluid, interpretation of injection and fall-off tests
requires more attention to detail than for producers.

Interference test and pulse testing:
The bottom hole pressure is monitored in a shut-in observation
well some distance away from the producer. Interference tests are
designed to evaluate communication between wells. With pulse
tests, the active well is produced with a series of short flow / shut-
in periods and the resulting pressure oscillations in the
observation well are analyzed.
Shuker
Test Procedure

14
Gas well test:
specific testing methods are used to evaluate the deliverability of gas
wells (Absolute Open Flow Potential, AOFP) and the possibility of non-
Darcy flow condition (rate dependent skin factor S).

The usual procedures are Back Pressure test (Flow after Flow),
Isochronal and Modified Isochronal tests.

In the following Figure, the typical test sequence of an exploration oil
well is presented.

After some flow time at a constant rate, the well is shut-in for the final
build-up test.
Shuker
Typical Test Sequence

15
Initially, the well is cleaned up by producing at different rates, until the
fluid produced at surface corresponds to the reservoir fluid.
The well is then shut-in to run the down hole pressure gauges, and
reopened for the main flow. The flow rate is controlled by producing
through a calibrated orifice on the choke manifold. Several choke
diameters are frequently used, until stabilized flowing conditions are
reached.
Shuker
Input Well Test Data Required

16
Test data:
Flow rate and bottom hole pressure as a function of time. The test
sequence of events must be detailed, including any operational
problems that may affect the well response.
Results of analysis are dependent upon the accuracy of
the well test data.

When the production rate has not been measured during some
flow periods, it must be accurately estimated.

Well data: Wellbore radius r
w
well geometry (such as inclined or
horizontal well), depths (formation, gauges).

Shuker

17
Reservoir and fluid parameters:
formation thickness h (net), porosity , compressibility of oil c
o
,
water c
w
, and formation c
f
; water saturation S
w
, oil viscosity
o
and
formation volume factor B. The total system compressibility c
t
is
expressed as:

The above reservoir and fluid parameters are used for calculation
of the results; using interpretation model.

After a first interpretation, they may always be changed or
adjusted if needed to refine the results, for the same theoretical
interpretation model.
Shuker

18
Additional data can be useful in some cases: production log,
gradient surveys, reservoir temperature, bubble point pressure
etc.

General information obtained from geologist and geophysicists
are required to validate the well test interpretation results.
Shuker
Flow Behavior

19
Types of flow behavior
The different flow behaviors are usually classified in terms of rate
of change of pressure with respect to time.

1-Steady state
During steady-state flow, the pressure does not change with time.
This is observed for example when a constant pressure effect,
such as resulting from a gas cap or some types of water drive,
ensures a pressure maintenance in the producing formation.

2-Pseudo steady state
The pseudo steady state regime characterizes a closed system
response.
Shuker
Flow Behavior

20
With a constant rate production, the drop of pressure becomes
constant for each unit of time.

3-Transient state
Transient responses are observed before constant pressure or
closed boundary effects are reached.

The pressure variation with time is a function of the well geometry
and the reservoir properties, such as permeability and
heterogeneity.
Shuker
Flow Behavior

21
Usually, well test interpretation focuses on the transient pressure
response.

Near wellbore conditions are seen first and later, when the
drainage area expands, the pressure response is characteristic of
the reservoir properties until boundary effects are seen at late time
(then the flow regime changes to pseudo steady or steady state).

Shuker
Flow Behavior

22
Steady-State Flow
The flow regime is identified as a steady-state flow if the
pressure at every location in the reservoir remains constant. In
other words, during steady-state flow, pressure does not change
with time. Mathematically this condition is expressed as:
0 =
|
.
|
\
|
c
c
i
t
P
This equation states that the rate of change of pressure P with
respect to time t at any location i is zero. In reservoir this condition
can only be achieved when the reservoir is supported by a strong
aquifer, gas cap or pressure maintaining operations.
Shuker
Flow Behavior

23
Pseudosteady-state Flow
When the pressure at different locations of the reservoir is
declining at a constant rate the flow regime is called
pseudosteady-state flow. Mathematically this condition is
expressed as:
constant
t
P
i
=
|
.
|
\
|
c
c
This equation states that the rate of change of pressure P with
respect to time t at any location i is constant. The pseudosteady-
state regime characterizes a closed system response.
Shuker
Flow Behavior

24
Unsteady-state Flow (Transient Flow)
Unsteady-state flow, also known as transient flow, is observed
before constant pressure or closed boundary effects are
reached.

The pressure variation with time is a function of the well
geometry and the reservoir properties like permeability and
heterogeneity. Mathematically this condition is expressed as:
( ) t i f
t
P
i
, =
|
.
|
\
|
c
c
Shuker
Flow Behavior

25
Well test interpretation focuses on the transient pressure
response.

Near wellbore conditions are seen first and later, when the
drainage area expands, the pressure response is the
characteristics of the reservoir properties until boundary effects
are seen at later time (at which flow regime changes to
pseudosteady-state or steady state.
Shuker
Flow Behavior

26
Flow Regimes
Steady-state flow
Pseudosteady-state flow
Unsteady-state flow
0 =
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I

i
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r
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Time
constant
t
P
i
=
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( ) t i f
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c
Shuker

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Introduction to Well Testing

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