Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Well Testing Analysis

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 Contents
1 Primary Reservoir Characteristics
1.1 types of fluids in the reservoir;
1.2 flow regimes;
1.3 reservoir geometry;
1.4 number of flowing fluids in the reservoir

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 1.1 Types of fluids
1) incompressible fluids
2) slightly compressible fluids
3) compressible fluids
The isothermal compressibility coefficient c is described
mathematically by the following two equivalent expressions:

= =

Incompressible fluids
An incompressible fluid is defined as the fluid whose
volume or density does not change with pressure. That is

= =

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 1.1 Types of fluids
Slightly compressible fluids
These slightly compressible fluids exhibit small changes in
volume, or density, with changes in pressure. Knowing the volume
Vref of a slightly compressible liquid at a reference (initial) pressure
pref , the changes in the volumetric behavior


=

exp[c (pref p)] =

V = Vref exp[c (pref p)] = Vref [1 + c (pref p)]

Similar for density:
= ref [1 + c (pref p)]

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 1.1 Types of fluids
Compressible fluids
These are fluids that experience large changes in volume as a
function of pressure. All gases are considered compressible fluids.

=

Schematic illustrations of the volume and density changes as

a function of pressure for the three types of fluids.

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 1.2 Flow regimes
There are basically three types of flow regimes that must be
recognized in order to describe the fluid flow behavior and reservoir
pressure distribution as a function of time. These three flow regimes
are:
(1) steady-state flow;
(2) unsteady-state flow;
(3) pseudosteady-state flow.
Steady-state flow
The flow regime is identified as a steady-state flow if the
pressure at every location in the reservoir remains constant, i.e., does
not change with time.

=

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 1.2 Flow regimes
Unsteady-state flow
Unsteady-state flow (frequently called transient flow) is
defined as the fluid flowing condition at which the rate of change of
pressure with respect to time at any position in the reservoir is not
zero or constant.

= (, )

Pseudosteady-state flow
When the pressure at different locations in the reservoir is
declining linearly as a function of time, i.e., at a constant declining
rate, the flowing condition is characterized as pseudosteady-state
flow.

=

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 1.2 Flow regimes

Flow regimes
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 1.3 Reservoir geometry

The shape of a reservoir has a significant effect on its

flow behavior. Most reservoirs have irregular boundaries
and a rigorous mathematical description of their geometry
is often possible only with the use of numerical simulators.
Radial flow
In the absence of severe reservoir heterogeneities,
flow into or away from a wellbore will follow radial flow
lines a substantial distance from the wellbore. Because
fluids move toward the well from all directions and
coverage at the wellbore, the term radial flow is used to
characterize the flow of fluid into the wellbore.

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 1.3 Reservoir geometry

Ideal radial flow into a wellbore.

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 1.3 Reservoir geometry
Linear flow
Linear flow occurs when
flow paths are parallel and
the fluid flows in a single
direction. In addition, the
Linear flow
cross-sectional area to flow
must be constant.

Ideal linear flow into vertical fracture

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 1.3 Reservoir geometry
Spherical and hemispherical
flow
Depending upon the type
of wellbore completion
Spherical flow due to limited entry
configuration, it is
possible to have spherical
or hemispherical flow
near the wellbore.

Hemispherical flow in a partially penetrating well

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 1.4 Number of flowing fluids in the reservoir
The mathematical expressions that are used to
predict the volumetric performance and pressure behavior
of a reservoir vary in form and complexity depending upon
the number of mobile fluids in the reservoir. There are
generally three cases of flowing system:
1. single-phase flow (oil, water, or gas);
2. two-phase flow (oilwater, oilgas, or gaswater);
3. three-phase flow (oil, water, and gas).

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 2 Fluid Flow Equations
2.1 Darcys law

= =

For a horizontal-radial system, the pressure gradient is

positive = =

qr = volumetric flow rate at radius r
Ar = 2rh
cross-sectional area to flow at radius r
(p/r)r = pressure gradient at radius r
v = apparent velocity at radius r

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2.2 Steady-state flow

linear flow of incompressible fluids;

linear flow of slightly compressible fluids;

linear flow of compressible fluids;

radial flow of incompressible fluids;

radial flow of slightly compressible fluids;

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2.2 Steady-state flow
linear flow of incompressible fluids;


=

.( )
q=

q = flow rate, bbl/day

k = absolute permeability, md
p = pressure, psia
= viscosity, cp
L = distance, ft
A= cross-sectional area, ft2
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 2.2 Steady-state flow
linear flow of incompressible fluids;
Example 1:
L = 2000ft, k = 15md, = 15%, p2 = 1990psi
p1 = 2000psi, h = 20ft, width = 300ft = 2cp
= 42 lb/ft3
a) flow rate in bbl/day;

b) apparent fluid velocity in ft/day;

c) actual fluid velocity in ft/day.

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 2.2 Steady-state flow
linear flow of incompressible fluids;
Example 1:
i = fluid potential at point i, psi
pi = pressure at point i, psi
zi = vertical distance from point i to the selected datum
level
= fluid density under reservoir conditions, lb/ft3
= fluid density under reservoir conditions, g/cm3; this is
not the fluid specific gravity

= z

= 0.433z
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 2.2 Steady-state flow
linear flow of slightly compressible fluids;
V = Vref [1 + c (pref p)]
q = qref [1 + c (pref p)]
[ + ] .
=


= .
+
. +
=
+
qref = flow rate at a reference pressure pref , bbl/day
p1 = upstream pressure, psi
p2 = downstream pressure, psi
k = permeability, md
= viscosity, cp
c = average liquid compressibility, psi1
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 2.2 Steady-state flow
Example 1.2 Consider the linear system given in
Example 1.1 and, assuming a slightly compressible liquid,
calculate the flow rate at both ends of the linear system.
The liquid has an average compressibility of 2110-5 psi-1.

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 2.2 Steady-state flow
Linear flow of compressible fluids (gases)

=


Standard conditions: =


=

The reservoir condition flow rate q, in bbl/day, and surface
condition flow rate Qsc, in scf/day
(. )
= =
.
q = gas flow rate at pressure p in bbl/day
Qsc = gas flow rate at standard conditions, scf/day
Z = gas compressibility factor
Tsc, psc = standard temperature and pressure in R and psia, respectively.
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 2.2 Steady-state flow
Linear flow of compressible fluids (gases)
.
= =
.

=
0.006328

. ( )
=

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 2.2 Steady-state flow
Radial flow of incompressible fluids

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 2.2 Steady-state flow
Radial flow of incompressible fluids

= = = = .
2rh 2rh

= .
2h

. ( )
=
ln( / )

. ( )
=
ln( / )
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 2.2 Steady-state flow
Radial flow of incompressible fluids
Qo= oil flow rate, STB/day
pe = external pressure, psi
pwf = bottom-hole flowing pressure, psi
k = permeability, md
o= oil viscosity, cp
Bo= oil formation volume factor, bbl/STB
h = thickness, ft
re= external or drainage radius, ft
rw = wellbore radius, ft

= + ( )
.

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 2.2 Steady-state flow
Radial flow of incompressible fluids
Example 3: An oil well in the KS Field is producing at a
stabilized rate of 600STB/day at a stabilized bottom-hole
flowing pressure of 1800psi. Analysis of the pressure
buildup test data indicates that the pay zone is
characterized by a permeability of 120md and a uniform
thickness of 25ft. The well drains an area of approximately
40acres. The following additional data is available:
rw = 0.25ft, A = 40acres
Bo = 1.25bbl/STB, o = 2. 5cp
Calculate the pressure profile (distribution) and list the
pressure drop across 1ft intervals from rw to 1.25ft, 4 to
5ft, 19 to 20ft, 99 to 100ft, and 744 to 745ft.

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 2.2 Steady-state flow
Radial flow of incompressible fluids
r (ft) p (psi) Radius Pressure drop interval
0.25 1800
1.25 1942 0.251.25 19421800=142 psi
4 2045
5 2064 45 20642045=19 psi
19 2182
20 2186 1920 21862182=4 psi
99 2328
100 2329 99100 23292328=1 psi
744 2506.1
745 2506.2 744745 2506.22506.1=0.1 psi
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 2.2 Steady-state flow
Radial flow of slightly compressible fluids
+ .
= =
2rh
. +
=
ln( / ) +
.
= [ + ]
ln( / )

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 2.2 Steady-state flow
Radial flow of slightly compressible fluids
Example 4. The following data is available on a well in
the SK Field: pe = 2506 psi, pwf = 1800 psi
re = 745 ft, rw = 0. 25ft Bo = 1. 25 bbl/STB, o = 2.5 cp
k = 0. 12 darcy, h = 25ft co = 25 106 psi1
Assuming a slightly compressible fluid, calculate
the oil flow rate. Compare the result with that of an
incompressible fluid.

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 2.2 Steady-state flow
Radial flow of compressible gases
The basic differential form of Darcys law for a
horizontal laminar flow is valid for describing the flow of both
gas and liquid systems. For a radial gas flow, Darcys equation
takes the form
. 2rh
=

qgr = gas flow rate at radius r, bbl/day
r = radial distance, ft
h = zone thickness, ft
g = gas viscosity, cp
p = pressure, psi
0.001127 = conversion constant from Darcy units to field units

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 2.2 Steady-state flow
Radial flow of compressible gases
The gas flow rate is traditionally expressed in
scf/day. Referring to the gas flow rate at standard (surface)
condition as Qg

=


=
.
. 2rh
= =
.

=> = 0.703

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 2.2 Steady-state flow
Radial flow of compressible gases


=


.
= . [

]

With m(p) = =


Thus ln = . ( w)

.()
=> = (scf/day)
()

()
= (Mscf/day)
()

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 2.2 Steady-state flow
Example 5: The PVT data from a gas well in the SK Gas
Field is given below:
p (psi) muy z
The well is producing at a
0 0.0127 1
400 0.01286 0.937 stabilized bottom-hole flowing
800 0.0139 0.882 pressure of 3600 psi. The wellbore
1200 0.0153 0.832 radius is 0.3ft. The following
1600 0.0168 0.794 additional data is available:
2000 0.0184 0.77
k = 65 md, h = 15 ft, T = 6000R
2400 0.0201 0.763
2800 0.0217 0.775 pe = 4400 psi, re = 1000 ft
3200 0.0234 0.797 Calculate the gas flow rate in
3600 0.025 0.827 Mscf/day.
4000 0.0266 0.86
4400 0.02831 0.896
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