Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Henry J. Ramey Jr. is Keleen and Cadion Beal Professor of petroleum engineering and chairman of
the depadment at Stanford U. He has been at Stanford since 1965. Before that he taught at Texas
A&M u. and worked with Mobil Oif Corp. and Chinese Petrofeum Corp. He is tfie. author of a Eook
and mors than 200 publications and patents. Ramey sewed as chairman of the Editnrial Review
and Monograph cimmiilees and of the Golden Gate Section. He was a Distinguished Lecturer@
ing 1967-68 anti has received the Cedric K. Ferguson Medal and the Lester C. Uren and John
Franklin Carl{ awards. He holds: BS and PhD degrees in chemical engineering from Purdue U.
Introduction. Pressure transient testing involves quantity. Instmments for measuring maximum
P@ubing cme or more wells and observing the result pressures in oil wells were developed and used in the
(either pressure or flow rates) at the perturbed well U. S. during the early 1920s. 1 These devices included
andfor adjacent wells. The result of a field test is boirdon tqbe gauges that recorded by stylus mark on, a
matched with mathematical models of increasing blackened metal sheet and floats or sonic echoes to
complexity until a reasonable agreement results. The measure liquid levels in wells. By 1931 continuously
objectives are mathematical model dimensions and iecordhg inst~ments such as the Ametada,. Humble,
characteristics. These are assumed typical of average and MacDonafd gauges were available: 2
characteristics of the real system. One oftbe early applications for bottomhole
This field of study began in the early 1930s in pmsures (BHPs) in wells was a measurement of the
several parallel technologies both within and peripheral static formation pressure. After a well had been shut in
to petroleum engineering: Examples include formation for a period of time, such as 24 to 72 hours, a BHP
evaluation through drillstem testing, pump testing of measurement was made as an indicatimi of the $Patic
water wells, and performance testing of oil wells. A formation pressure. This proc@ue worked for
mature body of literature exists today. The purpose of permwable, high-productivity reservoifi. Engineers
this paper is to rqview significant findings in this field soon recognized that static pressure measurements
and to identify some remaining prbblems. depended on the shut-in time. The lower the
permeability, the longer the time required for the
Classic Studies. The purposes of pressure transient pressure to equalize. This led to theimportant realiza-
analysis include (1) determination of the cnndhion of :on that when a well was shut ii; the duratiori of the
the well- i.e,, whether the sandface at the wellbore is pressure buildup was a reflection of rock permeability
damaged or bzts been stimulated, (2) the quantitative around that well. It appeaa that one of the first deter-
value of the pefieability in the drainage volume of the minationsof formation p&meability frnm pressure
well, (3) the mean formation drainage volume transient data was published by Moore et al. 3 in 1933.
pressure, and (4) quantitative infbnnatimt concerning An interest in transient phenomena and the
the shape and size of the drainage volume and its mathematical description of transient phcnomemt ap-
porosity. pears in many fields and literatures in the early
Obviously, there me other objectives. Quantitative 190~s. This paper focuses rnairdy on the western
in fnnnatioi nn the preceding four items would answer petroleum engineering MeMure. The literature is cited
such questions as whether the low productivity of a to show development of ideas rather than to pksent a
given well is caused by plugging of the well, by low scholarly listing of references.
formatinn permeability, or by a low driving force A classic study of pressure transient analysis involv-
andlnr formation conductivity available fn.r moving ing pump testing of water wells wa: published by
fluid into the well. This information would provide a Theis4 in 1935. This paper was reprinted in 1980.5
sound basis for decisions invnlving costly stimulation Among other things, Theis d@cussed an~ysis of
of a well or other operating procedures. pressure recovery data, referred to as pressure buildup
In the petroleum literature alone, more than 400 ilata in petroleum engineering. These data consist nf
technical papers have been published on thes.ubjcct of information obtained after a well is produced at a con-
pressure transient analysis in the past 50 years. A stmt rate for a period of time and then is shut in and
similar number of publications exist on pump test pressures are allowed to equalize. Theis suggested a
analysis in the field of groundwater hydrology. This form of graphing and analysis that remains one.of the
literature has developed because the pressm~ behavior basic techniques employed iti petroleum cngiheering to
of a well can be measured easily and is a useful this day. The method was publishe~ later by Homer. 6
The Theis pr+me recovery graph of groundwater
hydrology is known in petroleum engineering as the
0 149.2? 3W8210071 .004, $00,25
C?Pyright 1982 Society of Petroleum Engineer, of AIME Homer pressure buildup grapti. Homer introduced the
data. This method becnme impommt because it worked resemoir systems; Perrines 15 review Of p~ssu~
10
PD
Id
Idz
I , (
but not in either of the buildup graphs in Figs. 3 and
7
a-
point of view. However, tbeuseof a digital computer
togenerate pressure buildup curves under all con-
ccivable conditions, from very sbortto~,ery long pro-
CORREC, *LOPE
BE,... LINE ducingtimes before shut-in, permits inspectiofi of the
CA .10.8 important characteristics of each graph without
,.., .2.3s assumptions regarding thedurationo ftheproduction.
b. .03 This empirical approach depended on the development
v A 1 1
ofcheap, high-speed computers and computing
m. ,0- m- ,0-2 m- graphics. It is no longer necessary to attempt to reach
logical conclusions with irisufficieit data.
Atm
precision preswre sensors, and applied mathematics Fig. 6Horner pressure buildup graph for a v&J in a dosed
came at a time when the wellbore began to yield its square with wellbore storage (Chen and Brigham3a).
secrets. At this stage, it is safe to speculate that the
system to test the data; if unsuccessful, proceed to a 6. Homer, DR.: .+ Pressure Buildup in Wells, Pror., Third Wodd
Pet, Cog., Leidm (1951) 2, 503.
system homogeneous but tmismropic; test the data;
7. Mmkar, M.: The Usc of Data on the Buildup of Bottomhole
then proceed to a two-porosity system, and so on. ~o
Pressures,., 17ww AIME (1937) 123,44-48.
Because of the importance of this field of study mtd 8. Wenzel, L. K.: Methods of Determining Pmmeztbility.of Water
the obvious promise of present and future conditions, Bearing Materials With Special Refemme m Discharging Well
Me[hods, ,. USGS Warm Supply Ptxwr 887 ( 1942).
pressure transientanzdysis will be a vigorous, exciting
9. Cooper, H.H. Jr. and, Jacob, C. E.: ,A Gemralized Graphical
field ofsfudy for some time to come.
Method for Evalmti8 Fmmatio Constants and Summarizing
Well Field Histmy,,, Tmm., AGU (1946) 27, 526.
Conclusions. The following conchtsionsdcsetve 10. En@zewin# Hydnxdks, Hunter Rouse (M.), John Wiley and
Sons Inc., .New York CiCy (1949).
emphasis.
11. Elkins, L. F.: .. Reservoir Pm fonmmce and Well SpacingSilica
1. Many early studies contained logical conclusions
Arbuckk Pool, Kansas,,, Drill, and Pmvl. Pro.., API ( 1946) 109.
reached from considerations or assumptions made in 12. A$s, J.J. and Smith, A. E.: .. Practical Use of Bottomhole
mathematical solution of particular transitmt flow prob- Pressure Buildup Cuves,>, Reprint Series, API, Tulsa (1949).
lems. Although logical, many early conclusions have 13. van Everd@en, A.F. and Hurst, W,; The Application of the
Laplace Tmmfonmation to Flow problems in Reservoirs,
been found incorrect. Complete studies now possible
Trans. , AIME ( 1949) 186.305-324.
with modem digital computers reveal that nmthe-
14. Miller, CC,, Dyes, A. B., and Hutchins.., C.A, Jr.: . Estimation
matical assumptions made in early studies often were of Permeability and Reservoir Pcmsure From Bouomhol. Pressure
of the sufficient rather than the necessa~ type. Buildup Chmactmistics,,, Tmns., AIME (1950) 189, 91.
15. Perrinc, R. L.: ., Amlysis of Pressure Buildup C.rves,,, Dri71. and
2. Log-1og type cutves were found to permit
P,od. Pm.,, API ( 1956) 483.
diagnosis of early pressure transient data to select flow
16. van Everdinsm, A. F.: <The SK, Effect and Its Influence O the
tYPe, (fracture or wellbore stordge) and the start of the Productive Cavacitk, of a Well, Tram., AJME (1953) 198,
semdog straight line. 171-176.
3. Interference testing was found to reveal important 17. Hurst, W,: .< EslabLshment of [he Skin Effect md 11s Impediment
to Fluid Flow Into a Wellbore,,. Pm. EW (Oct. 1953) B-6.
information on both flow conductivity and fluid
18. Matthews, C. S., Bmm, F., !md Hazebrmk, P.: .A Meth&d for
content of a reservoir. Perhaps the most impmtant Dctwmi.aticm of Average Pressure in a Bounded Resewoir,
conclusion resulting from interference testing is that Trtim., AIME (1954) 201, 182-191.
(Jan. 1970) 97-104. 35. Ammval. R, G,: .*A New Method 10 Account for Prcducins Time
21. Eadmgher, R.C. Jr., Ramey, H,J, Jr., Miller. F. G., and Mueller, E&ts Whm Type Cm-m Are Used w Am[ym Pressure ~.ildup
T. D.: . .Press.re Distributions in Rectangular Reservoirs,,, J. Per. Data.,. pap SPE 9289 presented at the SPE 55th Am.d
Tech. (Feb. 1968) 199-208. Technical Ccmfercnce and Exhibition. Dallas. Sept. 22-24, 1980.
22. FAdougher, R,C. Jr. md Ramey, H.J. Jr. : Wmference Analysis 36. Cooper. H.H. Jr., Bredehoe ft. J. D.. Papadop.los. S. S., and Ben-
in Botmded Systems,,, J. Cd.. Per. Tech. (Oct.-Dee. 1973) 113. net. R. R.: .. The Response of Well-Aquifer systems to Seismic
23. Rwney, H.J. Jr.: .-NomDarcy Flow and Wellbore Storage Effm.s Waves,,, J. Geophys. R,,. (Aug. 15, 1965) 3915.3926.
iII Pressure Buildup and Drawdown of Gas Wells,.. J. Pet, Tech. 37. Shinoham. K. and Rammy, H.J. Jr.: ..Slug Test Data Analysis ln-
(Feb. 1965) 223-233. clding the Jmnia Effecr of the Fluid i the Wellbore,,, paper SPE
24. McKirdey, R. M.: ,W.41bom Tm..smissibility Fmm AfterRow 8208 presemed at the SPE 54th Ammd Technical Conference ami
Dominated Pressure Buildup Data,,, J. Per. Tech. (July 197 I ) Exhibition Las Vegas, Sept. 23-26. 1979.
863-872. 3S. Cincc-Ley, H. and Smna.iego-V., F.: .. Pressure Tnmsiem
25. Eario.gber, R.C. Jr. and Kersch, K. M,: . Analysis of Shori-Tirne Analysis Finite Cond.ctivicy Fracture Cwe vs. Damaged Frac-
Transient Test Data by Type-Cuwe Matching.,, J, Pel, Tech. ture Case.., paper SPE 10179 presmted w the SPE 56th Annual
(July 1974) 793-800. Technical Ccmfercnce md Exhibition. S. Ammi., 0.1. 5-7,
26. Gringmten. ,A.C. and Rmmy, H .J Jr.: Yhweady State Pressure 19s[.
Distrib.tiom Created by a Well With a Single Horimmal Fmc- 39. Acditty, P. C., N,, A. M.. ,nd Rm,y. H.]. J,., .. Respose of a
t.re. Partial Penetration. or Restricted Enlrv,,. S... Pd. Em, J. Closed WeU-Rcsewoir Sys[ern to Sttess Idced by Sanh ride s..
(Aug. 1974) 413-126, Paper SFE 7484 presen!ed al the SPE 53rd Ammml Technical c...
27,. Gringanen, AC., Ramey, H,J, Jr., and Raghavan, R,: ference and EAibhion, Houston. Oct. 1<.1978.
W-fnst.ady Sfate Pressuce Distributions Created by a Well With a 40. Grigmen. A. C.. B.~gm, T. M., md Vit.rat. D.: ,, Evaluating
Sln8k Infinite Conductivity Vertical Fraccure,. Sot. Per. Eng, J, Fissured Fonmdon Gmmwy From Well TCSC D.tz A Field Ex-
(Au& 1974) 347-360, ampk PP., spE Jo18~ p=se.[~ x The spE j6[h An..,]
2S. Griwmn, A. C,, Ramey, H,J, Jr,, and P.agbwm, R,: .. Pres,ure Technical Cmfemm and Exhbhi.m, San Amohio, Oct. 5-7.
Analysis for Fractured Wells ... J, Per. Tech. (July 1975) [981
887-892. 41. AE.rwaI, R. G.. A1-H.ssaiy. R., and Ranmy. H.1. J,.: ..A. I.-
29. Ramey, H.J. Jr.: Practical Use of Modem Well Test Analysis.., vmigxi.n of Wellbore Sto.qe md Sktn Effect i Umlady Liq-
paper SpE 5878 p~senred at the 46th California ReEional uid Flout 1. Andytic.1 Twamm t... .%.. .%. Eng. J. (Sep.
Meeting, Lmg Beach, April 8-9, 197(h reprinted in Ref. 5. 1970) 279-290.
4647. 42. Cobb, W.M. md Smith. J.T.: ..A. Investigmim of Pmssnre
30. R@y, H.J. Jr,: ..A Dtawdown and Buildup Type Cuwe for in- Buildtm Tests in Bounded Reservoirs .,. J. Per. Tmh. [AIM 1975)
terference Testing.., .%x., Third Invit?.tiona[ Well-Testing Symp-
osium, Berkeley, CA ([980) 130-34, .JPl-
31, Johnson, C. R., Gremkom, R. A., and Wcads, E. G.: ..Pdse
Dl,Un@sh.ad Author S.6,% anides we wmml, descriptive Presentation% that
TestinE, a New MeChad for Describing Rescrvoi~ Flow Pmpmtics s.mmafue !he s,.,. of the a In an ,,,. of !echnology by de,c,ibhlg ,ecent
Between Wells,,. 3. Pet. Tech, (Dec. 1966) 1599-1604 dwe!qxnmts for readers who me not specialists in !he topics aisc.ssed. Wrltte. by
32, Rarney, H.J. Jr. and Cobb, W, M.: A Gmend Pressure Buildup ?ndlvld,a!s recc@zad as qxtts in !he .,.,,, these a.;,le Provide key referent?,
t. more de fini6ve work and present specific details only 1. tl[ustrate the tmhnolow
Theory for s. Well in a Closed Drainage Am.,,, J. Pa. Tech.
P.qosw To ;nfom the general ,eadeMiP of recent advances : various areas d
(be,. 197 I) 1493-1505. petroleum engi.eerhg. Tha sen.s is a project of the Technics Coverage Cmuniltee,
AfDA=o 3
TOP OF STRAIGHT I
LINE ~
0.000264 kt
DA= ~pc+A
I 10 10= I 0 I 04
t+At
At
Fig, 3Horner pressure buildup graph for a 2:1 closed rectangle with an
off center well (Andrade33)
REGION
STRAIGHTENED
BY MUSKAT
PLOT
/
.-
n
CORRECT SLOPE
0 &
W
~. BELOW LINE
CA =10.8
r~!~
-5 -4
10 10 10 10 10 I
DA
10
I CORRECT
STRAIGHT LINE
1
.-
a
*
m
u
-2
? 10
*
-3
10 CA =10.8
10
-4
L
o 0.04
fo
0.08
I 10 I 02 103
(t+ At)/At
Fig. 6Horner pressure buildup gra$h for a well in a closed square with
wellbore storage (Chen and Brigham 4)
837