Definition and Mechanism

Definition and Mechanism

The Leak-off Test Limit Test - Formation Breakdown Test

The Leak-off Test Limit Test - Formation Breakdown Test

5. Close the BOPs (generally the pipe ram) at surface

6. Apply pressure to the well by pumping a small
amount of mud (generally 1/2 bbl) into the well at
surface. Stop pumping and record the pressure in the
well. Pump a second, equal amount of mud into the well
and record the pressure at surface. Continue this
operation, stopping after each increment in volume and
recording the corresponding pressure at surface. Plot
the volume of mud pumped and the corresponding
pressure at each increment in volume.

5. Close the BOPs (generally the pipe ram) at surface

6. Apply pressure to the well by pumping a small
amount of mud (generally 1/2 bbl) into the well at
surface. Stop pumping and record the pressure in the
well. Pump a second, equal amount of mud into the well
and record the pressure at surface. Continue this
operation, stopping after each increment in volume and
recording the corresponding pressure at surface. Plot
the volume of mud pumped and the corresponding
pressure at each increment in volume.

7. When the test is complete, bleed off the pressure at surface, open the BOP rams
and drill ahead
It is assumed in these tests that the weakest part of the wellbore is the formations
which are exposed just below the casing shoe. It can be seen in the next slide that
when these tests are conducted, the pressure at surface, and throughout the
wellbore, initially increases linearly with respect to pressure. At some pressure the
exposed formations start to fracture and the pressure no longer increases linearly
for each increment in the volume of mud pumped into the well. If the test is
conducted until the formations fracture completely, the pressure at surface will
often drop dramatically.

The Leak-off test is used to determine the pressure

at which the rock in the open hole section of the well
just starts to break down (or leak off). In this type
of test the operation is terminated when the pressure
no longer continues to increase linearly as the mud is
pumped into the well.

The Limit Test is used to determine whether the

rock in the open hole section of the well will withstand a
specific,

predetermined

pressure.

This

pressure

represents the maximum pressure that the formation

will be exposed to while drilling the next wellbore
section.

While performing a leak off test, the surface pressure at

leak off was 940 psi. The casing shoe was at a true
vertical depth of 5010 ft and a mud weight of 10.2 ppg
was used to conduct the test. Calculate the maximum
allowable mud weight.

Example