PEGN 422 Well Test Analysis and Design

Fall 2016
Module 1: Introduction
Dr. Erdal Ozkan
Elio Dean
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO

Module 1 Objectives and Outcomes

Objective
To provide attendees a high level summary of critical topics associated with well testing
By the end of this Module, participants should be able to:

Explain the role of well testing in petroleum engineering

Define the objectives of well testing
Describe the general approaches for reservoir characterization
Explain well testing applications for field development and reservoir management
List different types of well tests and compare their advantages and disadvantages
Understand fundamental methodology of transient flow analysis
Explain the motivation and use of pressure derivatives in well testing
Describe the bases and methodologies of manual and computerized well tests analyses

Introduction

Petroleum Engineer
A Hybrid Discipline
1. Calls upon the contribution of professionals with different expertise and background
2. Requires a series of highly-technical decisions, evaluations and operations performed by the team of special
expertise and creativity
Major Branches
1. Drilling Engineering
2. Reservoir Engineering

Well testing is a sub-function of reservoir engineering

3. Production Engineering

Introduction

Oil and Gas Reservoir Engineering

Basic Job of a Reservoir Engineer:
Determine
1.

The hydrocarbons in place

2.

The rate they can be produced at the surface

3.

The ultimate recovery factor

4.

The consequences of stimulation

These questions are answered repeatedly throughout the life of the field

Introduction

The work of a Reservoir Engineer

Begins with collecting:
The geological and geophysical information
(geological description, faults, reservoir or drainage
boundaries)
The engineering data

(production rates, wellhead pressures, cumulative

production, well completion, etc.)
Then:
Estimation of initial hydrocarbon volume in place
(by volumetric procedures)
Introduction

The work of a Reservoir Engineer

Knowing the hydrocarbon reserves, determine the rate they can be produced

Productivity index (single-phase, oil flow):

qo = J p - pwf

J: productivity index
qo: production rate

pwf: bottomhole flowing pressure

p: average reservoir pressure

Introduction

The work of a Reservoir Engineer

Basic question of reservoir engineering:

qo = J p - pwf

is low productivity because of

low average reservoir pressure, p?
low productivity index, J?

Introduction

The work of a Reservoir Engineer

Productivity index, J, for single-phase, oil flow:

J=

-3

qo

(p- p )
wf

Productivity index depends on:

7.08 10 kh
=

1
4A
Bm ln g
+
s
2

2
e C Arw

Formation flow capacity, kh

Fluid viscosity,
Well condition (skin effect), s
Drainage area, A
Well location

Introduction

Well Testing
Well testing is a branch of reservoir engineering.

General objectives of well testing:

Characterizing formation
Evaluating and predicting well performance

Inflow and outflow performance curves for systems analysis

[http://petrowiki.org/Nodal_analysis]

Introduction

Objectives of Well Testing

rw

Conventional Objectives
Estimate:

Pe

Formation flow capacity, kh

Formation damage due to drilling and completion
Average reservoir pressure
Hydraulic connectivity of the reservoir
Distance to a physical boundary

Pw

Drainage area

Production capacity of the well

Pw

re
Introduction

10

Objectives of Well Testing

Core samples
characterized
small area

Contemporary Use of Well testing

As a tool to aid:

Well test
characterize
larger area

Reservoir characterization
(scale and averaging issues)
Reservoir (Flow) modeling
(non-uniqueness of responses)

High resolution Static Model vs. Scaled Dynamic Simulation Model

Introduction

[http://petrowiki.org/File%3AVol6_Page_094_Image_0001.png]

11

Use of Well Testing for Reservoir Description

Reservoir Characterization
Objective:
Obtain a better description of the reservoir
Typically:
i) variations in permeability, porosity
ii) barriers to flow (faults, boundaries, shale lenses, etc.)

Introduction

12

Reservoir Characterization
i.

Distribution of properties to the entire field

Measurements (observations) are only at limited points

ii.

Scaling problem
Are measurements only valid for the scale they have been measured?

iii.

Parameter variable

Intensive vs. Extensive

Deterministic vs. Stochastic
Introduction

State Input Response

Dependent vs. Independent
13

Reservoir Characterization

Data from well testing and other sources

i)

Other sources (cores, logs, seismic, etc.)

Static measurements (small scale, local)

ii) Well test

Dynamic measurements (large scale, volume of investigation)
Introduction

14

Reservoir Characterization
Well test data

Concerns:
i)

Input data from static measurements are used in the interpretations

ii)

Well test estimates of properties represent an average in the volume of investigation

iii) Many applications require small-scale (local) properties

Introduction

15

Reservoir Characterization
Well test data

Permeability Averaging:
i)

Upscaling: Assigning permeability values to unsampled locations in the reservoir

Concern: Characterization of reservoir by a finite number of point measurements (core-estimates) of permeability

ii)

Downscaling: Estimating local values of permeability from distributions (averages)

Concern: Meaning of well-test-estimated (average) permeability

Introduction

16

Reservoir Characterization
Well test data
Permeability Upscaling (simple techniques):
N

i)

ii)

Arithmetic average:

Harmonic average:

k=

k h

i i

i=1

k A=

ht
1
N

i=1

iii) Geometric average:

Introduction

(layers in parallel)

(layers in series)

1
Ai ki

1 N
log k = logki
N i=1

(random or log normal permeability distribution)

17

Reservoir Characterization
Well test data

Permeability Upscaling (simple techniques):

Concerns:
I.

Assumption of steady flow

II.

Alteration of original core properties

III.

Core plug is assumed to represent a volume that is more than 100 times greater than its own volume

IV.

Cores are usually taken from the best part of the formation

Introduction

18

Types of Well Tests

The type of the test depends on the information expected from it.
Some common tests:
Drawdown Tests
Buildup Tests
Injection Tests
Falloff Tests

Interference Tests
Drill Stem Tests (DST)

Introduction

19

Types of Well Tests

Drawdown Tests
Produce the well at a constant (or variable) rate and record pressure change as a function of time

rate

pressure

time
Introduction

20

Types of Well Tests

Drawdown Tests
Information Obtained:
The reservoir behavior
Permeability and formation damage

Properties of natural and induced fractures

Reservoir pressure
Location of the boundaries (drainage area)

Introduction

21

Types of Well Tests

Drawdown Tests
Limitations:
It is difficult to keep the rate constant
Unstabilized conditions before the test interfere with the pressure responses

Introduction

22

Types of Well Tests

Buildup Tests
After a period of production, shut in the well and record pressure buildup as a function of time

rate
pressure

time
Introduction

23

Types of Well Tests

Buildup Tests
Information obtained
Same as drawdown tests
Limitations
Loss of production during the test

Introduction

24

Types of Well Tests

Injection Tests
Record pressure response to the injection of a fluid into the reservoir

pressure

rate
Introduction

time
25

Types of Well Tests

Injection Tests
Information obtained
Same as drawdown and buildup tests

Mobility of fluid banks

Limitations
Multiphase flow effects complicate interpretation

Introduction

26

Types of Well Tests

Falloff Tests
Observe pressure drop when the injection stops

pressure

time
rate
Introduction

27

Types of Well Tests

Falloff Tests
Information obtained
Same as injection tests
Limitations
Multiphase flow effects complicate interpretation

Introduction

28

Types of Well Tests

Interference Tests
Observe the pressure change in shut-in well(s) due to production from a neighboring well

Introduction

29

Types of Well Tests

Interference Tests
Information obtained
Hydraulic connectivity

Formation properties
Directional changes in properties
Limitations

Takes considerably longer

Introduction

30

Types of Well Tests

Drill Stem Test (DST)
DST is a sequence of drawdown and buildup tests

Introduction

31

Types of Well Tests

Drill Stem Test (DST)
Information obtained
Similar to drawdown and buildup
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Limitations

the reservoir fluids,

initial or average reservoir pressure,
effective permeability to the flowing fluid,
skin factor (mechanical damage), and
an estimate of the potential flow rates.

Analysis requires special techniques

Momentum and friction effects interfere with the data

Unstabilized conditions resulting from recent drilling

Introduction

32

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

General Methodology
Create a change in production rate
(starting, stopping, or changing the rate of production )
Measure the response of the reservoir at a point (well) in the reservoir
(measured reservoir response may be pressure, rate, or both)
Analyze the reservoir response by comparing with the known (theoretical) responses

Introduction

33

Example:
Flowing Time
t, hr

Flowing Pressure
pwf, psi

3500

2917

2900

2888

2879

2869

7.5

2848

10

2830

15

2794

20

2762

1500

30

2703

20

40

2650

Wellbore radius, rw, ft

0.33

50

2597

Porosity, f, fraction

0.18

60

2545

15 x 10-6

70

2495

80

2443

1.2

90

2392

100

2341

Pressure-Transient Test Data

Measured pressure vs.

time data during a
flow (drawdown) test
Formation, fluid, and
well properties required
for analysis
Flow rate, q, stb/d
Formation thickness, h, ft

Total compressibility, ct, psi-1

Viscosity, m, cp
Formation volume factor, B, rb/stb

Introduction

34

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

Key Points of Well-Test Interpretation
For the success of the analysis, accurate data are essential
Measurements do not directly give the desired information; the data need to be analyzed and interpreted
Interpretation is based on the comparison of the measured responses with a theoretical model
The theoretical model is a solution of governing flow equation (diffusion equation)

Introduction

35

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

Pressure Derivative Analysis
Derivative idea has been introduced by many researchers: Chow (1952), Jones (1957, 1962),
Carter (1966), Prasad (1979), Tiab and Kumar (1980), Bourdet et. al. (1983)
Similar to pressure vs. time data, pressure derivative vs. time data display special characteristics
during different flow regimes
Pressure derivative has been an integral part of pressure transient analysis since the 1980s

Introduction

36

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

Motivation of Pressure Derivative Analysis:
Derivative magnifies small changes in pressure vs. time response

G(t) = g(t') dt'

f, g

F, G

g(t)
f(t)

F(t) = f(t') dt'

0

t
Introduction

t
37

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

Calculating Pressure Derivatives
Calculation of pressure derivative from field data magnifies the noise also

f
df
lim

t 0 t
dt
f

df /dt

f /t
t

Introduction

: noise in data

f df

lim

lim
t 0
t
dt t 0 t
If is relatively constant,
/ t increases as Dt 0

38

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

Calculating Pressure Derivatives
Modern application of pressure-derivative ideas are in terms of logarithmic derivative

dp
dp
p p
t
d ln t
dt
It is recommended to calculate the logarithmic derivatives using the differences in log time

dp
d ln t

Introduction

dp
d t

39

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

Calculating Pressure Derivatives

Pressure change, Dp

Bourdet et. al. algorithm (1984, SPE 12777 )

2
i

1
Dx1

Dp1Dx2

For smoother derivatives,

x1 , x2 L
Logarithm of time, log t

Introduction

Dp2

p
p

x2
x1
dp x 1
x 2

dx
x1 x2

Normally, L 0.2

40

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

Calculating Pressure Derivatives
Bourdet et. al. algorithm (1984, SPE 12777 )
The logarithmic derivatives of measured pressure vs. time data can be computed by the following formula:

Dpi - Dpi-1

Dpi+1 - Dpi
ti
dDp
=
ti+1 - ti ) +
ti - ti-1 )
(
(

d lnt ( ti - ti-1 ) + ( ti+1 - ti ) ti - ti-1

ti+1 - ti

To obtain smoother derivatives, the time intervals (ti - ti-1) and (ti+1- ti) should not be too small.
Bourdet et al. suggested:
t
t
ln i +1 and ln i L
ti
ti -1
Introduction

0 L 0.5

(usual value: L = 0.1)

41

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

Calculation of Pressure Derivatives

Horne algorithm (1995)

ln
t
t

p
ln
t
t
t
dp

i i k
i j
i j i k i pi

ln ti j ti lnti ti k
d ln t i ln ti j ti ln ti j ti k

lnti j ti pi k

lnti ti k lnti j ti k

ln ti j ln ti 0.2 and ln ti ln ti k 0.2

Introduction

42

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

Manual Analysis Techniques
Straight Line Analysis
Theoretical models indicate certain straight line relations when pressure is plotted as a function of time on specific
coordinates. The slopes of the straight lines are functions of the properties sought

Different flow regimes require different plots

Linear flow:

p vs.

Bilinear flow:

p vs. t 1 4

Boundary dominated flow:

Radial flow:

Introduction

p vs. t

p vs. log t

43

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

Manual Analysis Techniques
Straight Line Analysis
Example: Radial, single-phase flow toward a fully penetrating well of radius rw in an infinite-acting reservoir
Theoretical model:

pwf pi pwf

162.6qBm
k

log t log

3
.
23

0
.
87
s
2

kh
fm
c
r
t
w

pwf (or pwf ) vs. log t should give a straight line with slope

162.6qBm
m
kh
kh can be calculated from the slope and the skin factor, s, can be calculated from the theoretical model equation
Introduction

44

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

Manual Analysis Techniques
Straight Line Analysis

p, psi

Example: Radial, single-phase flow toward a fully penetrating well of radius rw in an infinite-acting reservoir

pwf

162.6qBm
kh

m log t log
3.23 0.87s
2

fmct rw

log t
This is known as semi-log analysis
Introduction

45

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

Manual Analysis Techniques
Type-Curve Matching
Uses the generalized solutions (theoretical models) in the form of type curves

The generalized solution (type curve) is in terms of dimensionless variables

Example:

kh
pD
p
141.2qBm
tD
Introduction

2.637 10 4 k

fct mrw2

t
46

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

Manual Analysis Techniques
The basis of type-curve matching:

kh
log pD = log
+ log pi - p
141.2qBm
log

tD
rD2

= log

2.637 10-4 k

fmcr

+ logt

A log-log plot of pi - p vs. t (the field curve) should look exactly like the log-log plot of pD vs. t D r

2
D

The shift of the field curve in the vertical and horizontal axes can be used to determine formation properties

Introduction

47

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

Manual Analysis Techniques

log p

log pD

Type-Curve Matching

Field plot
M
x

pDM, D pM
tDM, tM

Type curve

log t
log tD
pD
kh
=
Dp
141.2qBm
M

-4
t r2
2.637

10
k
D D

=
t
f ct mr 2
M

Reservoir properties may be estimated from the match point values

Introduction

48

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

Computerized Analysis
Basis: Inverse solution
field
input

assumed
input

reservoir
mechanism

reservoir

theoretical
model

computed

response

response

Generate a set of synthetic responses assuming the unknown properties and underlying flow model

Find the best combination of the assumed properties and flow model that yields the best regression fit
between the synthetic and measured responses
Introduction

49

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

Computerized Analysis (Regression Analysis)
Assume reservoir properties and generate pwf vs t data (synthetic)

log pwf

log t
1. Initialization (no match).

log pw f

log t
3. 3rd iteration (improving).
Introduction

log pwf

log t
2. 2nd iteration (no match).

log pwf

log t
4. (after many iterations) Final
match, may not be unique.

50

Methodology of Transient Flow Analysis

Computerized Analysis (Regression Analysis)

Introduction

51

End of Module 1
Back-up Slides and Extra Examples
Dr. Erdal Ozkan
Elio Dean
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO