Pressure test analysis

Well tests are a key technical function in the oil and gas industry.
a well test is used as the main technology for monitoring
performance of such investments or to diagnose unexpected behaviors of
well or reservoir. The results of the well test data analysis are used
to make investment decisions.

Well tests provide information to establish the characteristics of

reservoir, predicting its performance and diagnosing the damage of
training.
The pressure test analysis is a procedure for conducting tests on the
formation through the drilling pipe, which allows for recording the pressure and
background temperature and evaluate fundamental parameters for characterization
appropriate from the site. Samples of the fluids present are also obtained from
surface conditions, bottom and at different depths for the determination of
its properties; this information is quantified and used in different studies to
minimize the damage caused by drilling fluid to exploratory or
advanced, although they can also be performed in development wells for estimation of
reservations.
It is important to take into account the following considerations:
Estimate the duration of the test.
Estimate the expected pressure response.
Have a good, properly calibrated team to measure pressures.
Have clear conditions of the well.

Characteristics of planning:
Operational considerations
Calculations required for the design
Example of a pressure restoration test design.

The pressure test is essential to determine the following parameters:

1) Obtain properties and characteristics of the deposit such as permeability and pressure
static of the reservoir.
2) Predict flow parameters such as:
Limits of the deposit.
Formation damage.
Communication between wells.
Types of pressure tests:
Pressure restoration tests 'Build up tests'.
They are carried out in producing wells and consist of making the well produce in order to then
close it and record the bottom pressure measured over time.

When closing the well, the pressure begins to rise starting from the Pwf (pressure.
of flowing background) until after a considerable closing time Δt, the pressure
Background registered reaches the static value Pe (static pressure).

The bottom hole pressure recording represents a static pressure in process.

of restoration (PΔt), which does not necessarily reach the static value of Pe.
PΔt ≤ Pe
It will depend on the well closure time and the production time. As the
closing time increases ΔPdt will approximate Pe.
We can determine through this test:

Estimate the permeability of the reservoir.

Determine the presence of damage.
Estimate the static pressure of the reservoir.
Geology of the deposit.

Drawdown tests.
-Build up test
Multiple flow rate tests.
Pressure dissipation tests in injector wells 'Fall off test'.
Interference tests.
Pulse tests.

Some applications of these tests carried out in Venezuela in the drilled wells
From the Naricual formation of the El Furrial field, RFT and DST tests were performed to
the capture of basic data to characterize the deposit, with some exceptions
due to operational issues. These evaluations allowed to determine the
sand pressure levels (the pressure profile obtained with the RFT was validated
with fluid samples collected during DST tests in producing wells and
injectors), identify fluid contacts, measure the degree of area communication and
vertical in the deposit and finally optimize the selection of the intervals of
cannoning in the wells.

Types of pressure tests

Pressure restoration tests "Build up tests"

They are carried out in producing wells and consist of making the well produce in order to then
close it and record the background pressure measured as a function of time.

When closing the well, the pressure starts to rise from the Pwf (pressure
of flowing background) until after a considered closing time Δt, the pressure
the background registered reaches the static value Pe (static pressure).

The bottom pressure recording represents a static pressure in process.

of restoration (PΔt), which does not necessarily reach the static value of Pe.

PΔt ≤ Pe

It will depend on the closure time of the well and the production time. As the
closing time increases PΔt will approach Pe.

We can determine through this test:

Estimate the permeability of the reservoir.

Determine the presence of damage.
Estimate the static pressure of the reservoir.
Geometry of the deposit.

Pressure build-up curve

The build-up curve is divided into three regions:

Early-time region:
During which the provisional pressure is moving through the formation, near
from the well.
Middle-time region:
During which the provisional pressure has moved away from the well.
Late-time region:
In which the research radius has reached the drainage limits of the well.

Factors that complicate the pressure build-up test

Pressure build-up tests are often not simple, many factors can
influence the shape of the curve that represents that pressure. An unusual shape may
require explanation to complete an appropriate analysis. Factors such as fractures
hydraulics, particularly in low permeability formations can have a great
effect on the shape of the curve.

Other factors that cause problems such as bottom pressure measured under conditions
poor performance.

The shape of the curve can also be affected by the rock-fluid interface, contact.
water-oil, lateral fluid or rock heterogeneities.

Drawdown tests.

They are carried out by producing a well at a constant rate, ideally starting with
uniform pressure in the reservoir. The rate and pressure are recorded as a function of
time.

We can determine through this test:

Estimate the permeability of the reservoir.

Surface factors.
Determine the presence of damage.
Geometry of the deposit.

These tests are particularly applicable to:

New wells.
Wells that have been closed for long enough to allow for the
pressure stabilizes.
Exploratory wells are often candidates for long drawdown tests, with the
common objective of determining the minimum or total volume being drained by the
well.
Multiple flow rate tests.
They are carried out at a variable flow rate, determining the pressure over stabilized periods.
of flow.

Through this test, the productivity index of the well can be determined and
it can also be used to perform a nodal analysis of it.

Multiple rate tests have had the advantage of providing provisional data of
the test while production continues. It tends to minimize changes in the
well storage coefficient and the effects of the segregation phase,
this test can provide good results when the drawdown or buildup test does not
can.

Pressure dissipation tests in injector wells

Fall off test
They are carried out by closing the injector well and monitoring the pressure in
the bottom of the well as a function of time. The theory assumes an injection rate
constant before closing the well.

They allow determining the conditions of the reservoir in the vicinity of the well.
injector.
It allows tracking of water injection and recovery operations.
improved.
We can determine through this test:
Estimate the average reservoir pressure.
Measure the reservoir's break pressure.
Determine fractures.
Determine if there is damage in the formation caused by plugging, swelling of
clays, precipitates, among others.
Determine the effective permeability of the reservoir to the injected fluid, used
for injection forecasts.

Interference tests
They aim to check the communication or connection between wells in the same
deposit.

Checking horizontal interference allows demonstrating the continuity of the strata.

permeable and analyze the existence of vertical communication in stratified sands.

In this case, the purpose of the analysis is to measure the pressure at a distance 'r' from the well;
where "r" is the distance between the observing well and the active well.
Pulse tests
They constitute a special type of interference test, in which the active well is
alternately pressed with production and closure cycles. It determines the
pressure response in the observation well.
It is characterized by being short-duration tests and the flow times must be
equal to the closing times.

The Build up test consists of gathering data and conducting a study of a reservoir.
through a well that has been temporarily closed for that purpose. One of the
The main objectives of this analysis are to determine the static pressure of the reservoir without
need to wait weeks or months for reservoir pressure to stabilize.

This test also allows us to know some parameters such as:

Effective permeability of the reservoir
Damage effects around the well
Presence of failures
Some interferences in the well production.
Limits of the deposit, where there is not a strong push from water or where the aquifer
It is not large compared to the size of the deposit.

For the execution of the test, some characteristics are assumed, among which
we can find:
1.- Deposit:
homogeneous
Isotropic
Horizontal or of uniform thickness

2.- Fluid:
It is in a simple phase
Hardly understandable
Constant viscosity
Constant formation volume factor

3.- Flow:
Laminar flow
There is no effect of gravity

To carry out the test, the well must be producing at a constant rate for a certain
time before closing in order to establish pressure stabilization in the area
of drainage. Subsequently, the well is closed, this process is generally carried out in
surface, and the closing time is started to be recorded along with the pressure values
from the well, which must begin to increase or to be restored from the value of
flowing bottom pressure, until it reaches a pseudo equilibrium value with the pressure
static of the deposit.

Taking the data of pressure changes over the closing time, it is possible
estimate by applying mathematical principles of superposition the parameters
previous statements.
The attached table shows how the behavior of the curve of the rate should be regarding
at the time before and after the well closure, during a build-up test:

The following table shows how the flowing bottom pressure will change
from the well concerning time:

The equation that allows us to calculate the pressure during the Build pressure test.
up is:

Equation (1)

It is important to emphasize that B is the FVF of the oil for an oil reservoir.
miu is the fluid viscosity, K is the permeability, and h is the thickness of the draining sand.
to the well.
The parameter Tp corresponds to:
Equation (2)

The equation of Pws (1) can be graphed as a function of [(t+Δt)/Δt] and thus it will be obtained
a line known as Horner's graph, which will provide us with the necessary information
for the calculation of the static pressure of the reservoir

Where if we perform an extrapolation of the value: [(t+Δt)/Δt]=1, we will obtain the value
from the pressure for an infinite closing time which will approach the value of the
static pressure of the reservoir, or mathematically according to the equation of Pws,
it will remain that the value of the hydrostatic pressure is equal to the static pressure of the
deposit.

A model of the data obtained through the Build Up data is represented in the
next table:

Similar equations exist for the calculation of the other parameters that can be
determine through this test, among what the Skin factor is which I
gives indications of the conditions of the formation, whether it is damaged or is
stimulated.
The following equation allows me to know the Skin factor:
Equation (3)
Where the P1 hr is obtained from the Horner graph and Ct is the compressibility of the
training.

The values of S can be tabulated and the following information obtained:

Ideal condition, S=0
Damage in the formation, S greater than 0
Simulation of the formation, S less than 0