Presentation

on
Well Testing and completion

Production Testing operations

Well Testing

Well perforation

Well Activation

Well Completion

Well Stimulation

WELL TESTING

Well testing is the first major activity by

production after completion of drilling
operations

Well testing is carried out to get the

following information
1.

Deliverability of the well

2.

Average reservoir pressure

3.

Optimum selection of completion

equipment

4.

Prediction of reservoir performance and

need of other applications
3

WELL TESTING
Detailed testing plan should be prepared
Involvement since GTO preparation

A good testing technique , reliable equipment must

for reliable results
Equipment layout and their placement should suit
local conditions

Equipment check list and operatibility test should be

done prior to well testing
Completion equipment & alternative if any to be
prepared in advance
4

Back ground

Well drilling & completion project is undertaken either by Basin or SST.

Location is released and well stacking is done as per the availability of land .

A draft GTO is prepared by Basin/SST indicating the well depth, pore pressure
temperature and lithology.

Depending upon these parameters, suitable casing, well head, are selected as
per API6A specifications.

Type of drilling rig, Mud system, cementing, logging, testing methods are also
selected at the time of preparation of GTO.

LM-DS, LM-Mud, LM-WCT, LM-cmtg, Area Manager (G), LM-WCT, I/C Ops (
Logging) & I/C QHSE are the signatories on the GTO.

Each department shall verify the parameters and shall be able to keep the
required things ready during drilling and testing operations.

Nodal analysis/Software is available for designing suitable casing, well head

and tubular.

GTO(Geological Technical order)

Conventional packer-less testing with X-mas tree

Conventional packer-less testing is

carried out in Low pressure wells

Christmas is installed and tested

Activation period is longer than DST

test

kill fluid is conditioned and made

available

perforations are carried out to

establish
communication
from
reservoir to well bore

well is then
sufficient

If well did not become active,

suitable stimulation job is carried out.

if well produces, measurement are

taken and then connected to GGS.

activated by creating
differential pressure

Testing with X-mas tree and Hydraulic packer

Testing with Hydraulic packer and Xmas tree is also carried out up to a
differential pressure of 7500 PSI.

Conventional perforations are carried

out.

Hydraulic packer along with tubing are

lowered up to desired depth.

N/D BOP and N/Up of X-mas tree

Displacement of tubing volume of

liquid with lighter fluids and setting of
packer.

If well did not become active,

further drawdown and
stimulation
job is carried out through CTU.

Testing with control Head and Mech Packer

Testing with Control head and

mechanical packer is also carried out
up to a differential pressure of 7500
PSI and 3500F rating.
Conventional perforations are carried
out.

Mechanical
packer along with
tubing/Drill pipes are lowered up to
desired depth.

Displacement of tubing Volume of mud

with
lighter fluids.

Setting of packer and flowing of well.

Adj Choke

Testing with control Head and TCP-DST &

Retrievable Packer
TCP-DST with Control head and retrievable
packer is carried out up to a differential
pressure of 10000 PSI and 3500F rating.
Flex operation of string with BHA.
RIH TCP-DST & BHA by filling string with
water.
Depth correlation for string space out for
guns against perforations.

Setting packer and confirmation.

Perforation of object by hydraulic firing.
Open well and observe for activity and
subsequent reservoir
studies.

Any further drawdown is required to be give

only thru CTU.

Adj Choke

Testing with control Head and TTV-J &

Permanent packer 5, 15K,4500F

Flex operation of string with BHA and test

up to desired pressure.

Conventional perforation in the desired

interval
RIH HPHT permanent packer with depth
correlation and setting at desired depth .

RIH DST TTV-J & LTSA and string & carry

out depth correlation.
Stab into packer and land tubing hanger.

N/ down of BOP and N/Up X-Mas tree.

Displacement
High pressure of mud in string with
brinePumper
with CTU.(unconventional).
Open well and observe for activity and
subsequent reservoir
studies.

Adj Choke

DST Testing with TTV-J& Control head15K,Offshore

Flex operation of string with BHA and test up to

desired pressure.

RIH HPHT permanent packer with

correlation and setting at desired depth .

depth

RIH TCP with TTV-J & LTSA .

Space out the string so that the E-Z valve is placed
against the BOP after stab-in of LTSA.

Stab into packer and lock open TTV-J & stab-out.

Displace tubing volume of liquid with lighter fluids.
Stab LTSA inside the packer. confirm setting.
Open well and observe for activity and subsequent
reservoir studies.
Any further activation or drawdown is possible only
through CTU.

Adj Choke

Testing with TTV-J& control Head and CTU

Flex operation of string with BHA and test up to

desired pressure.

RIH HPHT permanent packer with

correlation and setting at desired depth .

depth

RIH TCP & TTV-J with LTSA .

Space out the string so that the E-Z valve is placed
against the BOP after stab-in of LTSA.
Stab into packer and lock open TTV-J & stab-out.
Displace tubing volume of liquid with lighter fluids.
Stab LTSA inside the packer. confirm setting.
High
pressure
Open
well
and observe for activity and subsequent
reservoirPumper
studies.
Any further activation operations is carried out
through CTU only. ( Unconventional)

Adj Choke

Design considerations

Selection of well head

Selection of casing

selection of tubular

selection of packers

selection of testing methodology.

Selection of completion

Features:
1.Straight-bore design with 45 load shoulder. Selection of
secondary seals and pack-off bushings provide versatility.
2.Working Pressure: Up to 10,000 psi (Excluding tubing
spool)
3.Operating Temperatures: -20 F to +150 F (-29 C to +65 C)
4.Hang-Off Capacity: Up to 50% pipe body yield
5.Casing Head Housings: IC-2, IC-2-BP
6.Casing Head Spools: IC-2, IC-2-BP, IC-2-L
7.Casing Hangers: IC-1, IC-1P, IC-2 slip and seal assemblies
Tubing Spools And Hangers:
1.C tubing spool: HT, HT-2, T, T-CL, C-SRL, CXS hangers
2.MTBS tubing spool: MTBS hanger
3.CD-2 tubing spool: CD-2, CD-T, CD-T-CL hangers

WellHead & X-Mas tree

Wellhead and Christmas Tree
equipment, the key equipment used
in oil/gas production, consists of
casing head, tubing head and
Christmas Tree, which are applicable
for fixing wellhead, hanging casing
string and tubing string, sealing the
annular space between casing and
tubing, and controlling the pressure
of the production wellhead and
adjusting the flow rate of oil/gas
wellhead as well as some special
operations such as acid fracture,
water-injection, testing and so on.

API Specification 6A
API Specification 6A (ISO 10423) is the recognized industry standard for
wellhead and christmas tree equipment that was formulated to provide for
the availability of safe, dimensionally and functionally interchangeable
wellhead and christmas tree equipment. This specification includes detailed
requirements for the manufacture of tubular suspension equipment, valves,
and fittings used at the location of oil and gas wells to contain and control
pressure and fluid flows.
Standard

API 6A

Rated working
pressure

2000~20000Psi

Product
PSL1~PSL3G
specification level

Rated working
tempterature

L,N,P,S,T,U,V

Performance
PR1,PR2
requirement level

Material class

AA,BB,CC,DD,EE,FF

Suitable medium

Oil, natural gas,

mud and water

Temperature
Classification *

Operating Range ( Degrees Fahrenheit [F] )

Min.
-75
-50
-50
-20

Max.
180
180
140
180

K
to
L
to
N
to
P
to
R
Room Temperature
S
0
to
140
T
0
to
180
U
0
to
250
V
35
to
250
X **
0
to
350
Y **
0
to
650
* Purchaser may combine temp classes e.g. KU, -75 TO 250 F

Material class Minimum Material Requirements Body & Flange

AA-General Service Carbon or low alloy steel

BB-General Service Carbon or low alloy steel
CC-General Service Stainless steel
DD-Sour Service a
Carbon or low alloy steel b
EE-Sour Service a
Carbon or low alloy steel b
FF-Sour Service a
Stainless steel b
HH-Sour Service a
CRA bcd
a
As defined by NACE Standard MR0175 / ISO 15156.
b

In compliance with NACE Standard MR0175 / ISO 15156.

CRA required on retained fluid wetted surfaces only; CRA cladding of

low allow or stainless steel permitted.
CRA as defined in API 6A latest edition. NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156
definition of CRA does not apply.

Back ground
Hermetical test:

Negative test : After installing the XMT Drill fluids are

displaced with water and kept open to check the
influx of any liquid/gas in to the wellbore. This can
also be done by displacing with well
fluids
with
Nitrogen/air compressor twice to check the influx.

Positive test : Drill fluids are displaced with water and

pressurized to a desired Hermetical
pressure
to
check the
integrity of casing. The test pressure is
calculated assuming that the well is completely filled
with formation gas.
Once casing is tested hermetically it is followed by
CBL/VDL .

Back ground
HERMETICAL TEST PRESSURE
INPUT
BHT
137
DEG C
SG
DEPTH
PORE PRESSURE
Z FACTOR
HYDROSTATIC HEAD
FORMN PRESS PSI

1.85
2900
1.75
1.1

M
SG

4126.7
7222

OUTPUT
HERMETICAL PRESS= 6329.9 PSI
Ps= P b / e 0.0341634*g*D/(ZXT)
Ps= Surface Pressure in Kg/cm 2
P b =Bottom hole pressure in Kg/cm 2
g = Specific gravity of gas with respect to air
D= Vertical depth in mts
Z= Gas compressibility factor
T= Mean temperature in 0K (273+0C) =0K

Well Head Rating for HPHT wells

Well
Name

Mud
wt
SG/

Temp
(F)

Depth
(mts)

Hermeti
cal
press
(a)
PSI

operating
pressure for
down-hole
tools,
circulation
(b) PSI*

Total
Pressure
(a+b)
PSI

Total
pressure
reqmt with
SF of 1.2=
1.2(a+b)
PSI **

Well
head
rating
PSI

SVLAA

1.70

329

3800

7500

1500

9000

10800

15000

KNDAA

1.80

356

4400

9550

1500

11050

13260

15000

NPAA

1.70

298

4000

7750

1500

9250

11100

15000

KOTAA

1.70

360

4250

8250

1500

9750

11700

15000

SMAAB

1.50

356

3700

6410

1500

7910

9492

10000

BTSAA

1.65

350

4500

7560

1500

9160

10990

15000

NVVAA

1.85

446

5450

11300 1500

12800

15300

15000

KONAA

1.90

356

4500

9730

1500

11230

13475

15000

MUKAA

1.75

374

4000

7860

1500

9360

11230

15000

VNSAA

1.70

302

3700

7250

1500

9750

11700

15000

SUAF

1.75

338

3800

7470

1500

9970

11960

15000

* WH rating after taking 1500 PSI allowance for circulation and down hole tools
** Provision of safety factor of 1.2 burst for well head rating .

CASING:

Function of casing:
To keep the hole open and provide support to weak fractured
formation.
To isolate porous media with different fluids / pressure regimes
from contaminating the pay zone, in conjunction with cementation.
To prevent contamination of near surface fresh water zones.
To provide passage for hydrocarbon fluid.
To provide connections for well head equipments like BOP etc.
To facilitate running of completion tools with respect to their known
diameter.
Types of casing:
Stove pipe
Conductor pipe
Surface casing
Intermediate casing
Production casing
Liner casing

Function of Tubing:

Primary function of tubing is to form a conduit

formation fluid & surface equipments.

between

For well killing, circulation and workover .

To provide optimized flow channel to produce maximum efficient

rate from a well.

To isolate casing form effect of high pressure,

temperature and corrosive fluids.

To enable to produce from different types of completions.

To facilitate artificial lift.

To facilitate installation of common wire-line operated down hole

tools.

Flow rate range as a function of the tubing diameter

Tubing Size
(inches)

Tubing
weight (PPF)

Tubing ID
(inches)

Range of oil flow

rate (M3/day)

Range of Gas flow rate

(KM3/day)

2.375

4.6

1.995

< 150

< 50

2.875

6.4

2.441

150-500

50-250

3.5

9.2

2.992

300-1000

80-400

4.5

12.6

3.958

500-1600

180-1000

PACKERS
A downhole device used in well

completion to isolate

the annulus from the production conduit, enabling

controlled production, injection or treatment.

A typical packer assembly incorporates a means of

securing the packer against the casing or liner wall, such
as a slip arrangement, and a means of creating a reliable
hydraulic seal to isolate the annulus, typically by means
of an expandable elastomeric element.

Packers are classified by application, setting method and

possible retrievability.

TYPES OF PACKERS
Mainly three kinds of packers

Mechanical Packers
Hydraulic packers
Permanent packers

Product Specification Levels (PSL)

API Specification 6A (ISO 10423) recommends

product specification levels (PSLs) for equipment
with quality control requirements for various
service conditions. PSLs apply to primary
equipment:
Tubing heads
Tubing hangers, hanger couplings
Tubing head adapters
Lower master valves
All other wellhead parts are classified as
secondary. The PSL for secondary equipment
may be the same or less than the PSL for primary
equipment.

PSL-Product safety level decision tree

PSL-1 Continued
Process
Inspection
Hydrostatic Test (except for Loose Connectors.
PSL-2 Equipment meets all the requirements of API
Spec 6A PSL-1 and:
Controls the limits of variance between the material
qualification test coupon and the production
material. CVN testing for service temperature -20
F and below.
Volumetric inspection of welds (RT or UT).
Magnetic particle inspection of accessible well
wetted surfaces.

PSL-3
Equipment meets all the requirements of API Spec
6A
PSL-2 and restricts the tolerance of material chemistry.
Increases the maximum size of the material qualification test
coupon in relation to the section thickness of the equipment
components. CVN testing for all service temperatures.
Volumetric inspection of all material in body, bonnets,
flanges & stems..
Wet Magnetic Particle inspection of all accessible
surfaces.
Hydrostatic Test time extended (except for Loose
Connectors).
PSL-3G includes all the requirements of PSL 3 plus
additional practices described in API 6A, Annex A. PSL3G designates an additional gas-testing requirement for
assembled equipment.

Back ground
PSL-4 :

Equipment meets all the requirements

of API Spec 6A PSL-3 and:
Increases the maximum size of the
material qualification test coupon in
relation to the section thickness of the
equipment components.
Prohibits welding except for
overlay/inlay of corrosion resistant alloy
on well wetted surfaces.
Gas testing of assembled equipment.

Table- recommended minimum PSL for primary parts of

wellheads and x-mas tree equipment
1

NACE

NO

YES

YES

YES

NO

NO

high H2S
connection

NO

NO

YES

No

No

YES

Close
proximity ?

NO

NO

NO

YES

YES

YES

Rated working pressure, psi (MPa)

PSL

PSL

PSL

PSL

PSL

PSL

5000 (34.5)

10000 (69.0)

15000 (103.4)
AND UP

Start here

Rated working
pressure 15000 psi

High H2S
concentration

PSL 4

Close proximity ?
N

PSL 4
PSL 3

>5,000 PSI (34.5MPa)

NACE ?
N

High H2S
concentration?
N

Rated working
pressure
5,000 PSI
(34.5 MPa)

Close
proximity ?
N

Close
proximity ?
Rated working
pressure

Rated working
pressure
>5,000 PSI (34.5MPa)

Rated working
pressure
5,000 PSI
(34.5 MPa)

Close
proximity ?
N

PSL 4
PSL 3
PSL 3

N
Close
proximity ?

PSL 2
>5,000 PSI
(34.5MPa)

5,000 PSI (34.5 MPa)

>5,000 PSI (34.5MPa)

PSL 3
PSL 2
PSL 2

5,000 PSI (34.5 MPa)

PSL 1
PSL 3
PSL 2
PSL 1

CONVENTIONAL WELL TESTING PROCEDURE

PLANNING WELL TEST
EQUIPMENT CHECK

FIELD TEST ING

PERFORATION

OK

HERMETICAL
TESTING

ACTIVATION

NOT OK

NOT OK

OK
WELL COMPLETION
CONECTION TO GGS

WELL REPAIR JOB

OK
STIMULATION

OK

NOT ZONE ABANDON

OK

PRODUCTION TESTING METHODOLOGY SEQUENCE

OF OPERATIONS: Conventional testing:

Clearing
and scraping of the hole to the required
10 mts below the bottom most perforation of the object.

depth usually

Recording of Cement bond Log/ variable density log to ensure

proper cement bond / isolation above and below the object under test.

Hermetical testing of the production casing / liner in water to the

maximum expected surface pressure.

Changing over to mud of specific gravity used during drilling and its
conditioning.

Conventional perforation of the object, junk basket trip and setting of

permanent packer at suitable depth through wire line of logging .

Running in of production string, packer testing and spacing out.

Rigging-up of surface equipments and lines and then pressure testing of the
same.

Displacement of string volume with cushion fluid (diesel / water)

depending upon the expected formation pressure and draw-down to be
provided Flowing back the well.
Reservoir studies ( Virgin pressure recording, 3 bean studies, buildup studies, gradient survey, PVT sampling) to be carried out in case the
well becomes active.

Stimulation job, if required, for skin removal.

In case, well does not become active, then pressure surging and
keeping the well under observation. Reversing out for bottom hole
sample collection.

After conclusive testing of the object, killing of well by bulldozing the

well fluid into the perforation interval of the object tested.

Conditioning of the mud. Pulling out the production string.

Isolation of the object by bridge plug / cement squeeze into object

perforation.

CONVENTIONAL WELL TESTING IN CASED HOLES

Christmas is installed and tested

Activation period is longer than DST test

kill fluid is conditioned and made available

perforations to establish communication from

well bore

well is then activated by creating sufficient differential pressure

reservoir to

If well did not become active, suitable stimulation job is

carried out

If well produces, measurement are taken and then

GGS

connected to

Conventional testing with X-mas tree

X Mas tree

Tubing

Annulus

TESTING WITH TUBING CONVEYED PERFORATION

-TCP SYSTEM:

Minimal formation damage caused by drilling fluid invasion since the object is
opened for flow immediately after perforation.

Suitable for testing tight as well as sand incursion prone formations because of
the perforations with increased shot density @ 12 SPF, deeper penetration and
double helix profile.

Provision for selective / controlled draw-down for faster activation of subhydrostatic formations.

Long perforation intervals (up to 40 m) in a single run, thereby reducing the

number of runs required for conventional perforations and saving costly rig
time.

Suitable for non expendable wells requiring re-entry at a later date due to ease
of completion as permanent packers need to be milled for production from
lower objects.

Typical TCP assembly consists of TCP guns, bar drop activated as well as
hydraulic pressure activated firing head, debris sub, retrievable packer, safety
joint, hydraulic jar, reversing tool and radioactive marker.

TESTING WITH DRILL STEM TEST (DST) SYSTEM:

ADVANTAGES:

Additional down hole safety for testing of high pressure (surface pressure
up to 8000 psi) and high H2S (concentration > 40, 000 ppm) wells.

Use of down hole electronic pressure and temperature gauges for

accurate recording of down hole data.

Faster attainment of reservoir parameters since the well is closed down

hole, very near to the perforated intervals of the formation, thereby reducing
the testing time.
The DST tools consist of retrievable packer, down hole electronic
pressure and temperature gauges, safety joint, hydraulic jar, Hydrostatic
Reference Tool (HRT), Pressure Controlled Tester Valve (PCTV), Single Ball
Safety Valve (SBSV), Multi Cycle Circulating Valve (MCCV), Single Hydraulically
Operated Reversing Tool (SHORT), radioactive marker and slip joints. All the
above tools are fullbore tools.

TESTING WITH TCP (SHOOT & PULL):

Clearing and scraping of the hole to the required depth usually

10 mts below the bottom most perforation of the object.

Recording of CBL-VDL log to ensure proper cement bond /

isolation above and below the object under test.

Hermetical testing of the production casing / liner in water to the

maximum expected surface pressure.&
Changing over to mud
of specific gravity used during drilling and its conditioning.

Running in hole tubings single by single for tubing flex trip to

check the pressure integrity of tubings and also to remove the
debris, tubing scales from tubings.

TESTING WITH TCP (SHOOT & PULL):

Running in of TCP string filled with requisite column of cushion

fluid to provide required drawdown. In case, complete string is to
be filled with cushion fluid, then the string can be displaced with
cushion fluid prior to setting the retrievable packer instead of
filling the string intermittently.

Correlation with CCL-GR tool so as to ensure that the TCP guns

are against desired depth. Spacing out based on correlation run.

Rigging-up of surface equipments and lines and then pressure

testing of the same.

Setting of retrievable packer; testing of packer.

Dropping of TCP bar to fire the guns and perforate the object interval,
Flowing back the well.
Reservoir studies (Virgin pressure recording, 3 bean studies, build-up
studies, gradient survey, PVT sampling) to be carried out in case the well
becomes active. Stimulation job, if required, for skin removal. After
conclusive testing of the object, killing of well by bulldozing the well fluid
into the perforation interval of the object tested. Opening SHORT.
In case, well does not become active, then pressure surging and keeping
the well under observation. Reversing out for bottom hole sample collection
through SHORT.

Reverse circulation of one string volume. Unseating the retrievable packer.

Conditioning of the mud. Pulling out the production string.
Isolation of the object by bridge plug / cement squeeze into object
perforation.

TESTING WITH DST:

Clearing and scraping of the hole to the required depth usually 10
mts below the
bottom most perforation of the object.
Recording of CBL-VDL log to ensure proper cement bond / isolation
above and
below the object under test.

Hermetical testing of the production casing / liner in water to the

maximum expected surface pressure.
Changing over to mud of specific gravity used during drilling and its
conditioning.

TESTING WITH DST:

Running in hole tubings single by single for tubing flex trip to check the
pressure
integrity of tubings and also to remove the debris, tubing
scales from tubings.

Conventional perforation of the object through wire line of logging .

Running in of DST string filled with requisite column of cushion fluid to

provide required drawdown.

Rigging-up of surface equipments and lines and then pressure testing of the
same. Setting of retrievable packer.&.
Pressurizing the annulus to open
down hole PCT valve. Flowing back the well.

Reservoir studies (Virgin pressure recording, 3 bean studies, build-up

studies, gradient survey, PVT sampling) to be carried out in case the well
becomes active. Stimulation job, if required, for skin removal.

In case, well does not become active, then pressure surging and
keeping the well under observation. Reversing out for bottom
hole sample collection through MCCV.

After conclusive testing of the object, killing of well by bulldozing

the well fluid into the perforation interval of the object tested.

Opening SHORT. Reverse circulation of one string volume.

Unseating the retrievable packer.

Conditioning of the mud. Pulling out the production string.

Isolation of the object by bridge plug / cement squeeze into

object perforation.

COMPARISON OF TESTING METHODOLOGY

CONVENTIONAL VS TCP/DST/TCP & DST
LIMITATIONS OF CONVENTIONALTESTING:

Formation damage due to mud filtrate invasion into formation

after conventional perforation , Activity problems during running
in hole of production string Inability to provide requisite
drawdown,
Longer time required for activation of sub-hydrostatic formations,
Absence of additional down hole safety during testing of high
pressure and H2S wells
Inability to lower sand screens for testing of sand incursion prone
objects and carrying out wire line jobs for bottom hole formation
pressure recording and PVT sampling on floater rigs.

WELL ACTIVATION

Normally perforations are carried out in over balance

Require activation

Various types of activation methods

1.

Displacement

2.

Compressor application

3.

Nitrogen application

4.

Swabbing

NITROGEN DOWN ANNULUS

Circulation of N2 down the annulus with

returns from the tubing is the most effective
method of displacing fluids from the well, as
it leaves the least by-passed fluid on bottom.
Max surface pressure during circulation is
reached when the annulus is completely
displaced to N2 and the N2 turns the corner
into the tubing.
Nitrogen pumping can be discontinued at this
over balance point .
The heavier the fluid, the more N2 is required
to circulate the well.

NITROGEN DOWN ANNULUS

Testing with control head and packer

Adj Choke

Tubing

Return Tank

Casing

Conventional packer-less testing with X-mas tree

Conventional packer-less testing is

carried out in Low pressure wells

Christmas is installed and tested

Activation period is longer than DST

test

kill fluid is conditioned and made

available

perforations are carried out to

establish
communication
from
reservoir to well bore

well is then
sufficient

If well did not become active,

suitable stimulation job is carried out.

if well produces, measurement are

taken and then connected to GGS.

activated by creating
differential pressure

Testing with X-mas tree and Hydraulic packer

Testing with Hydraulic packer and Xmas tree is also carried out up to a
differential pressure of 7500 PSI.

Conventional perforations are carried

out.

Hydraulic packer along with tubing are

lowered up to desired depth.

N/D BOP and N/Up of X-mas tree

Displacement of tubing volume of

liquid with lighter fluids and setting of
packer.

If well did not become active,

further drawdown and
stimulation
job is carried out through CTU.

Testing with control Head and Mech Packer

Testing with Control head and

mechanical packer is also carried out
up to a differential pressure of 7500
PSI and 3500F rating.
Conventional perforations are carried
out.

Mechanical
packer along with
tubing/Drill pipes are lowered up to
desired depth.

Displacement of tubing Volume of mud

with
lighter fluids.

Setting of packer and flowing of well.

Adj Choke

Testing with control Head and TCP-DST &

Retrievable Packer
TCP-DST with Control head and retrievable
packer is carried out up to a differential
pressure of 10000 PSI and 3500F rating.
Flex operation of string with BHA.
RIH TCP-DST & BHA by filling string with
water.
Depth correlation for string space out for
guns against perforations.

Setting packer and confirmation.

Perforation of object by hydraulic firing.
Open well and observe for activity and
subsequent reservoir
studies.

Any further drawdown is required to be give

only thru CTU.

Adj Choke

Testing with control Head and TTV-J &

Permanent packer 5, 15K,4500F

Flex operation of string with BHA and test

up to desired pressure.

Conventional perforation in the desired

interval
RIH HPHT permanent packer with depth
correlation and setting at desired depth .

RIH DST TTV-J & LTSA and string & carry

out depth correlation.
Stab into packer and land tubing hanger.

N/ down of BOP and N/Up X-Mas tree.

Displacement
High pressure of mud in string with
brinePumper
with CTU.(unconventional).
Open well and observe for activity and
subsequent reservoir
studies.

Adj Choke

DST Testing with TTV-J& Control head15K,Offshore

Flex operation of string with BHA and test up to

desired pressure.

RIH HPHT permanent packer with

correlation and setting at desired depth .

depth

RIH TCP with TTV-J & LTSA .

Space out the string so that the E-Z valve is placed
against the BOP after stab-in of LTSA.

Stab into packer and lock open TTV-J & stab-out.

Displace tubing volume of liquid with lighter fluids.
Stab LTSA inside the packer. confirm setting.
Open well and observe for activity and subsequent
reservoir studies.
Any further activation or drawdown is possible only
through CTU.

Adj Choke

Testing with TTV-J& control Head and CTU

Flex operation of string with BHA and test up to

desired pressure.

RIH HPHT permanent packer with

correlation and setting at desired depth .

depth

RIH TCP & TTV-J with LTSA .

Space out the string so that the E-Z valve is placed
against the BOP after stab-in of LTSA.
Stab into packer and lock open TTV-J & stab-out.
Displace tubing volume of liquid with lighter fluids.
Stab LTSA inside the packer. confirm setting.
High
pressure
Open
well
and observe for activity and subsequent
reservoirPumper
studies.
Any further activation operations is carried out
through CTU only. ( Unconventional)

Adj Choke

Testing with DST

Adj Choke

Tubing

Return Tank

Casing

Testing with DST

Adj Choke

Tubing

Return Tank

Casing

DST concepts

Tubing or d/p to channel flow to surface

Cushion pressure Pc
Reverse circulating valve SHRV
PFSV

Down-hole valve to control formation PTV

Hydrostatic pressure Ph

Packer to isolate formation

Formation pressure Pf

DST concepts
DST is used to carry out flow tests on prospective hydrocarbon bearing
zones. The string serves the purpose of providing isolation of three
different pressures
Hydrostatic pressure: Ph
Formation pressure: Pf
Cushion Pressure: PC
During testing, hydrostatic pressure in the annulus must be isolated from
formation and cushion pressure to allow the formation to flow.
Packer provides isolation of the hydrostatic pressure (Ph) from the
formation pressure (Pf) and the tester valve isolates the cushion
pressure (Pc) from the formation pressure (Pf)
Cushion Pressure (Pc) <
Formation pressure (Pf) in order to flow to
occur. It is done by lighter density fluid filled in the string with tester
valve closed.

LIMITATIONS OF CONVENTIONALTESTING:
Absence of any down hole safety during testing of high
pressure wells.
Absence of circulating mechanism

Conventional TestingC/ Head & Mechanical packer

Conventional perforations are carried out

Tubings/Drill-pipes are lowered with Mechanical packer up to the

desired depth.

Control Head is hooked on to the Tubing/drill-pipe.

Surface lines are connected to the control head and tested . Of OK

Tubing volume of lighter fluids (water/Diesel/Nitrogen) are pumped

through tubing .

Packer is set by rotating and slackening the string with differential

pressure in the string

Well is opened and measurements are taken

If well did not become active, suitable stimulation job is carried

out

if well produces, measurement are taken & then connected to GGS

Conventional TestingX-mas Tree & Hydr packer

Conventional perforations are carried out

Tubings are lowered with hydraulic packer, POP, expansion joint &
sliding sleeve up to the desired depth.

N/D down of BOP and Install Christmas tree and test the flanges
and valves up to desired pressure. If OK.

Surface lines are connected to the X-mas tree and tested . if OK

Tubing volume of lighter fluids (water/Diesel/Nitrogen) are pumped

through tubing .

Packer is set by dropping the ball and pressurizing string to the

desired pressures

Well is opened thru suitable choke and measurements are taken

If well did not become active, suitable stimulation job is carried

out

Constraints in conventional Testing X-mas Tree &

Hydr packer

Sliding sleeves are not working in the mud system properly, hence
not being used in the mud .

In the absence of reverse circulating mechanism, killing is done by

making puncture in the tubing.

Since mud is used in the annulus , retrieval has become problem

and often landing in to fishing problem.

Due to deviation of the wells, torque not being transmitted to the

bottom and further being complicated.

High pressure hydraulic packers are not available. Max d/p is 7500
PSI only.

Constraints in Testing with Control head & Mechanical

packer

The
top most connection below control head and tubing is
susceptible to leakage as no proper torque can be given

In case of leaks at surface during flow, no down hole safety

is available to control the flow.

High pressure Mechanical

7500
PSI only.

valve

packers are not available. Max d/p is

Conventional Testing packer less

Conventional perforations are carried out

Tubings/Drill-pipes are lowered to the desired depth.

N/D down of BOP and Install Christmas tree and test the flanges
and valves up to desired pressure. If OK

well is then activated by creating sufficient differential pressure by

displacing with lighter fluids like water, air/Nitrogen.

If well did not become active, suitable stimulation job is carried

out

if well produces, measurement are taken and then

GGS

connected to

DRILL STEM TEST (DST)

Temporary completion to determine characteristics of
a well
control head is installed in stead of x-mas tree

Cushion is maintained during running in

after lowering up to desired depth, tool is operated
and well is flowed for short duration to analyze the
characteristics

WELL COMPLETION
Well completion should be aimed at safety, operability and
simplicity
Influencing factors

reservoir parameters

Operating requirements

operating field conditions

workover method/ stimulation method

well intervention by CTU

environmental problems

government legislation

Safety

TESTING EQUIPMENT

DOWN HOLE EQUIPMENT

1.

TUBING

2.

CIRCULATION DEVICE

3.

PACKER LOCATOR SEALS

4.

PACKER

5.

SEATING NIPPLES

6.

NO GO SEATING NIPPLE

7.

PUP JOINT

8.

WIRELINE ENTRY GUIDE

SURFACE EQUIPMENT
1.

X-MAS TREE

2.

CHOKE MANIFOLD

3.

SEPERATOR/HEATER

A device that can be run into a wellbore with a smaller

initial outside diameter that then expands externally to
seal the wellbore. Packers employ flexible, elastomeric
elements that expand.
The two most common forms are the production or test
packer and the inflatable packer.
The expansion of the former may be accomplished by
squeezing the elastomeric elements (somewhat doughnut
shaped) between two plates, forcing the sides to bulge
outward. The expansion of the latter is accomplished by
pumping a fluid into a bladder, in much the same fashion
as a balloon, but having more robust construction.

 Production or test packers may be set in cased holes and

inflatable packers are used in open or cased holes. They
may be run on wireline, pipe or coiled tubing.
Some packers are designed to be removable, while others
are permanent. Permanent packers are constructed of
materials that are easy to drill or mill out.

EXPANSION JOINTS

They are used when tubing movement is expected

because of temperature & pressure changes during
the production phase or during the stimulation in a
well.

These are available with various stroke lengths.

Opening & closing strokes are fixed as per the
operating requirement in a particular well.

LANDING NIPPLE/SEATING NIPPLE

A seating nipple is a threaded length of pipe with a smooth,
polished bore containing one or more specialized horizontal
grooves, called locking grooves to receive the spring loaded
locks of the wire line tools. The grooves are of specified
sizes to accommodate the particular wire line tools of the
same size.
Purpose of using Landing Nipples:
1. The no go nipples prevent wire line tools larger than the
no-go dimensions from being run below the tubing.
2. Certain flow control equipments like bottom hole choke,
standing valve, blanking plug, surge plug etc. can be
installed in the landing nipple to control the flow or isolate
any unwanted producing zone(such as in a straddle
completion).

PUMP OUT PLUG (P.O.P)

It is generally run at the bottom of the tubing string &
acts as tubing shoe.
It has a seat to accommodate the ball & the seat is
locked in position by shear screws of specified shear
values. The ball dropped for setting the packer sits on
this seat & ensures a leak proof system. When
hydraulically pressurized from the surface the packer
sets at a certain predetermined pressure. Then more &
more pressure is applied to shear all the shear screws
to allow the seat of the P.O.P to fall along with the ball
in the sump.
The P.O.P has generally a bevelled profile at the bottom
to allow logging tool to be lowered & pulled out
smoothly.

SLIDING SLEEVE

They are made on the tubing string at points where

circulation between the tubing & annulus is needed.
A shifting tool on wire line is used to slide the sleeve
open or closed.
They may be used above the packer for circulation or
changing over of completion fluid or can be used
between packers to produce the zones selectively.
They can be used to install jet pumps, bottom hole
chokes etc.

SIDE POCKET MANDRELS (MMGS & KBMGS)

They have a polished receptacle/pocket at one side to
receive down hole tools lowered by wire line or fitted at the
surface.
They are used for:
1. Install a gas lift valve (GLV).
2. Install a chemical injection valve.
3. Install a down hole choke.
4. Provide circulation between tubing & annulus when
required.

SAFETY VALVES (SCSSSV)

Subsurface controlled subsurface safety valve (scsssv) are used

as a safety device to shut in the well in the event that surface

systems are damaged or are removed.It is a part of the
completion hook up & may be of the following two types:
1. Wire line retrievable

2. Tubing retrievable.

Both of these valves are controlled from the surface by the

hydraulic pressures applied thru external control line which
runs from SCSSSV to wellhead alongside tubing string. When

the control line pressure is bled off, valve closure mechanism

causes the SCSSSV to close.

Surface control units, which supply the hydraulic pressure, also

monitor any abnormal increase or decrease in the flow line
pressure.
SCSSSV should shut down well when activated by an FSD
system, to prevent uncontrolled well flow in the event of
emergency situation.

ADVANTAGES
1. Controlled from the surface & hence can be manipulated
easily.

2. Valves are designed to close regardless of tubing pressures.

3. Most type has a large bore to permit high flow rate.

SUB SEA TEST TREE (SSTT) EQUIPMENT :

Sub Sea Test tree (SSTT) is a mandatory safety

equipment for use during testing on floater rigs which
allows the subsurface closure of well, detaching of the
string and moving away of the rig from location in case
of any emergency such as blowout, adverse weather
condition. Once the emergency is over, the testing can
be resumed by moving the rig on location and latching
the string.

Classification of Well Production Testing

Periodic Production Tests

Productivity or Deliverability Tests

Transient Pressure Tests

Periodic Production Tests

Determination of the relative quantities of oil,
gas and water produced under normal producing
conditions.
They provide periodic physical evidence of well
conditions. Unexpected changes, such as
extraneous wwater or gas production may signal
well or resrvoir problem. Abnormal production
decline may mean artificial lift problems, sand
fillup in the casing, scale build up in the
perforations

Periodic Production Tests

Accuracy of measurements and careful
recording of the conditions of which the test was
run are of utmost importance. Choke size, Tubing
pressure , casing pressure , every thing that is
affecting the ability of well to produce should be
recorded.

Productvity or Deliverability Tests

This test is performed on initial testing or re-completion
to determine the capability of the well under various
degrees of pressure drawdown. Results aid in selection of
well completion methods, design of artificial lift systems

and production facilities.

They involve a physical or empirical determination of
produced flow versus bottom hole pressure drawdown.
With a limited number of measurements they permit
production of what the well should produce at other
pressure drawdown.

Productvity or Deliverability Tests

This test is applied to non darcy, below the bubble point
flow conditions. Even though fluid properties and relative
perm abilities are nor constant around the well bore.
Deliverability test represents stabilized producing
conditions. It involve the measurement of bottom hole
and flowing pressures as well as fluid rates produced to
the surface. Commonly used deliverability tests are:
Productivity Index
Inflow performance
Flow after Flow
Isochronal

Productvity Index

It is the simplest form of deliverability test. Involves the

measurement of shut in bottom hole pressure and at one
stabilized producing condition , measurement of the
flowing bottom hole pressure and the corresponding rate
of liquids produced at the surface.
PI: J= q/pi-pwf

Productvity Index
Productivity index declines during the life of a well
Reservoir Pressure
Composition and properties of produced fluids.
Flow restriction
Formation damage near well bore.
With a well producing above the bubble point , the PI
may be constant over wide range of pressure
drawdown. With a flow below bubble point and gas
occupying a portion of pore system, PI falls off with
increased drawdown.

Productvity or Deliverability Tests

Gas well deliverability tests are designed to establish
the absolute open flow potentialor the production rate if

the flowing bottom hole pressure could be reduced to

zero.
These are back pressure tests and can be classified in
to :
Flow after flow
Isochronal

Transient Pressure Tests

These tests require high degree of sophistication and

are used to determine formation damage or stimulation
related to an individual well or reservoir parameters such
as permeability, pressure, volume and heterogeneities .

Introduction

Deep, HPHT wells are being drilled by KG onland, KG offshore,

Cauvery Basin, Mumbai offshore Basin , Western onland basin .

Well heads and X-mas trees are procured by Basin.

There is no standard procedure/ approved design for X-mas

Tubular / down-hole tools

Well Services of each Asset/Basin making ad-hoc plans to test these wells.

Each Asset is procuring materials /hiring the required

depending upon the work programme of respective basin.

Testing by
requirement

One mega contract with M/S Schlumberger is available

services up to 2013 with logging Services .

different methods is followed

and availability of equipment.

depending

tree,

services
upon

for

the
DST

Present practices in ONGC

Conventional packer-less testing with X-mas tree Low pressures

Mechanical packer with control head up to 7500 PSI DP & 3500F.

Hydraulic packer with X-mas tree up to 7500 PSI DP & 3500F.

Permanent packer with either X-mas tree or control-head up to

10,000 PSI DP and 4000F.

DST(Multi-cycle) with Retrievable packer & control head or X-mas

tree up to 3500F & 10K

DST(single stage)
head / X-mas tree.

DST(single stage) with TTV-J, 15K,4500F permanent packer, control

head/X-mas tree.

with 10K,4000F permanent

packer & control

94

1991 HPHT

20,133/8,9-5/8, 7

Water based mud systems(barite/Haematite)

Prototype EKDS

Basic LWD

Limited bit selection

Standard well control methodology

Limited computational capabilities

DExponent

Drilling and well control procedures-early days

Very little difference from normal pressure /temperature exploration well

design

Challenges in HPHT well Testing

Operations closer
temperature.

to

design

limits-

load,

stress,

Narrow PP-FG margins requiring many casing strings

Serious Consequences- Emergency shutdown

place.

Extreme component stress in hardware.

Dealing with very high density well control fluids.

Amplification of partial pressure of corrosive constituents.

Material degradation at elevated temperature

Higher thermal gradients and associated stresses .

Material selection and environmental cracking.

Trapped volumes and thermal expansion.

Pressure

and

facilities to be

in

96

Challenges in HPHT well Testing

Product reliability.

Seal Integrity.

Metallurgy

Electronics( circuit boards and Sensors)

Packer to casing seal reliability due to highly variable casing

Design life, time, operation cycles, wear, corrosion, erosion rates

Very high partial pressures of H2S & CO2.

Higher thermal gradients and associated stresses .

quality.

97

Observation on practices followed by others

Fit for purpose casing to facilitate production operations.

Avoidance of slim hole drilling due to non availability of tools.

Resources and
equipment required for drilling and testing are
identified and made available before start of the project. ( M/S Cairn-JV)

Additional safety factor during design of casing.

Use of metal to metal seal Tubular.

Use of NACE material tubular for BHP more than 15000 PSI.

Usage of
tubing.

Use of fresh water as packer fluid(Elgin-Franklin)

Use of Multi Cycle DST tools for well Testing( M/S GSPC) tested kept

Use of Calcium Bromide as testing fluid (GSPC)

Use of Packer & SCSSV for completion( Ras Gas, Elgin-franklin, Petronas)

computer controlled Torque turn for making up/breakup of

98

WELL COMPLETION
Well completion should be aimed at safety, operability and
simplicity
Influencing factors

Reservoir parameters

Operating requirements

Operating field conditions

Workover method/ stimulation method

Well intervention by CTU

Environmental problems

Government legislation

Safety

Inventory of packers

Mechanical packers: 7500 PSI, 3500F .

Hydraulic packers: 7500 PSI, 3500F .

Permanent Packers :10,000 PSI, 4000 F (BOTIL)

Permanent Packers :15,000 PSI, 4500 F (Baker)

Multi-cycle DST with retrievable packer up to 4250F 10K DP of M/S

Schlumberger is in the mega contract but being operated only up to 3500
F .

Single shot
DST with TTV-J up to 4500F,15K DP of M/S
Schlumberger is in the mega contract but being operated only up
to 3500 F.

100

Inputs requirements
Well Testing & Completion
Down-hole equipment's :
Production tubing's of suitable size & rating
Packers for isolation

Expansion joints/sliding sleeves/D-Nipples

Cross overs
Pup joints

10

Inputs requirements
Well Testing & Completion
Surface equipment's :
Well Control head

Well choke manifold

Heater/Glycol Injection system
Test separator
Treating iron, Co- flexible HP.

10

Typical DST
The typical drill stem test will be split into four period, Pre
flow. initial shut in period, a main flow period and a final shut
in period. Times of for each test are dependent on conditions
at the well site Drill stem tests may be run at any time during
the drilling operation at the current depth or may be used to
test any interval in the hole after TD has been reached. Using
these data and based on the evaluation of engineers and
geologists, management can base a decision to complete the
hole for potential production of oil or gas or proceed with
abandonment.

Pre-Flow Period
is a production period to clean up the well and
is used to remove any supercharge given to the
formation due to mud infiltrating into the
prospective formation during the drilling
operation.

Initial Shut In
This period is to allow the formation to recover
from pressure surges caused during the pre
flow. this is often referred to as "closed in for the
pressure build up" this period will be longer.

Main Flow
a more lengthy production period designed to
test the formations flow characteristics more
rigorously. Samples of any fluids will be
checked for water content Gas bubble bust
pressure temperature and many other nice
surprises. This will be done using set choke
or variable chokes. Sample reaching surface
will be measured as to volume and gathered
for analysis in a laboratory. Samples of any
fluids in the drill string at the conclusion of the
test will be measured as to volume and
gathered for analysis. Flowing pressures and
temperatures will be recorded.

Final Shut-In
formation pressure is recorded over this period.
The shape of the pressure build up curve will tell
us the permeability of the formation, the degree
of formation damage (likely caused during the
drilling operation), It will also tell us if we have
found a small reservoir but there is no telling if it
a big one.

Thank You

10