Well Testing
Principles and Interpretation
(Introduction to Saphir)
Introduction to well testing
Well testing is a critical process in the oil and gas industry, designed to evaluate
the properties and performance of subsurface reservoirs. By analyzing data
obtained during these tests, engineers and geoscientists can make informed
decisions regarding reservoir management and production strategies.
Objectives of Well Testing
1. Assess Reservoir Potential: Determine the reservoir's capacity to produce
hydrocarbons, such as oil, natural gas, and condensate.
2. Evaluate Formation Properties: Measure key parameters like pressure,
permeability, and porosity to understand the reservoir's characteristics.
3. Identify Fluid Characteristics: Analyze the types of fluids present (oil, gas,
water) and their properties to optimize production methods.
4. Detect Reservoir Boundaries and Heterogeneities: Identify the extent of the
reservoir and any variations within it, which can impact production planning.
5. Ensure Well Integrity: Verify the mechanical condition of the well to prevent
uncontrolled releases of formation fluids..
I. Basic Principles of Well Testing
Well testing is a crucial process in the oil and gas industry used to evaluate
reservoir performance, fluid properties, and overall well productivity. The
basic principles of well testing revolve around pressure behavior, fluid flow
dynamics, and data interpretation
➢ Pressure Transient Analysis (PTA)
▪ Measures how reservoir pressure changes over time when a well is
produced or shut in.
▪ Used to determine permeability, skin factor (damage around the wellbore),
and reservoir boundaries.
▪ Common pressure transient tests include drawdown tests, buildup tests,
and interference tests.
➢ Flow Rate Measurement
▪ Monitors the amount of hydrocarbons (oil and gas) produced over time.
▪ Helps estimate reservoir deliverability and productivity index.
▪ Typically measured using multiphase flow meters and separators.
➢ Fluid Sampling and Analysis
▪ Determines the composition and properties of reservoir fluids (oil, gas, and
water).
▪ Key properties analyzed include viscosity, density, gas-oil ratio (GOR), and
water cut.
▪ Helps in designing production facilities and enhanced recovery techniques.
➢ Well Test Interpretation and Modeling
▪ Uses mathematical models to analyze pressure and flow rate data.
▪ Methods include type curve matching, deconvolution, and numerical
simulation.
▪ Provides insights into reservoir connectivity, heterogeneity, and drive
mechanisms.
➢ Wellbore Effects and Skin Factor
▪ Evaluates formation damage near the wellbore, which can restrict fluid flow.
▪ The skin factor (S) is calculated to quantify wellbore conditions:
o Positive skin = Damage or restriction in flow.
o Negative skin = Stimulation or enhanced flow (e.g., after acidizing or
fracturing).
➢ Multiphase Flow Behavior
▪ Most reservoirs produce a mixture of oil, gas, and water.
▪ Understanding flow regimes (e.g., single-phase, multiphase, or slug flow) is
crucial for optimizing production and designing separation facilities.
➢ Reservoir Boundary and Connectivity Detection
▪ Well tests help identify reservoir size, boundaries, and faults.
▪ Interference tests between wells determine communication and
compartmentalization within the reservoir.
These fundamental principles guide engineers in making informed decisions
regarding well performance, reservoir management, and field development
strategies.
1. Pressure Transient Analysis (PTA)
Pressure Transient Analysis (PTA) is a well testing method used to evaluate
reservoir and well properties by analyzing pressure changes over time. It is
widely used in reservoir engineering to determine characteristics like
permeability, wellbore skin, reservoir boundaries, and heterogeneities.
Key Objectives of PTA
▪ Determine Reservoir Properties: Permeability, skin factor, and boundaries.
▪ Assess Well Performance: Productivity index and formation damage.
▪ Identify Reservoir Heterogeneities: Detect faults, fractures, and layering.
▪ Predict Reservoir Behavior: Pressure support and depletion over time.
1.1 Basic Principles of PTA
PTA relies on monitoring pressure variations in a well over time when
production or injection rates change. This pressure response is influenced by
the reservoir’s properties and flow conditions.
➢ Superposition Principle
• The total pressure response is a sum of responses from past
production/injection activities.
• This principle helps in analyzing pressure buildup and drawdown tests.
➢ Diffusivity Equation
• Describes pressure behavior in a porous medium based on fluid flow.
• Solutions to this equation provide type curves for well test interpretation.
➢ Flow Regimes
• Wellbore storage effect: Initial period dominated by fluid expansion in the
wellbore.
• Radial flow: Pressure moves evenly outward from the well.
• Linear flow: Occurs in fractured reservoirs, where pressure moves in a
straight path.
• Boundary-dominated flow – Pressure stabilizes when reservoir limits are
reached.
1.2 Common PTA tests and their Applications
❑ Drawdown Test
• Conducted by flowing a well at a constant rate and recording pressure
decline.
• Determines reservoir permeability and skin factor.
❑ Pressure Buildup Test
• Performed by shutting in a producing well and observing pressure
recovery.
• Helps estimate formation damage, skin factor, and reservoir pressure.
• Uses Horner Plot for interpretation.
❑ Interference Test
• Measures pressure response in a nearby observation well when another
well is produced.
• Evaluates reservoir connectivity and transmissibility.
❑ Injectivity Test
• Involves injecting fluid into a well and monitoring pressure increase.
• Used to assess reservoir permeability and fracture pressure.
❑ Falloff Test
• Similar to a buildup test but applied after stopping injection.
• Helps in evaluating reservoir depletion and pressure support.
1.2.1 Drawdown Tests
1.2.2 Buildup Tests
1.3 Diffusivity Equation and Flow Regimes
1.3.1 Derivation of the Diffusivity Equation
1.3.2 Flow Regimes
1.4 Flow regime identification (radial/linear/bilinear flow, diagnostic plots)
1.4.1 Flow Regimes: Definitions and Characteristics
1.4.2 Diagnostic Plots
1.5 Semi-Log Analysis: MDH and Horner Plots
1.5.1 Overview
1.5.2 Horner Plot
1.5.3 MDH Plot
1.6 Type Curve Matching: Gringarten and Bourdet Derivatives
1.6.1 Overview of Type Curve Matching
1.6.2 Gringarten Type Curves
1.6.2 Bourdet Pressure Derivative