UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI PETRONAS

Formation Evaluation and Well Test Analysis

Notes for Advanced Well Test Analysis Class from Group 3 and Group 4 Group 4:
Buoy Rina, 12945 Makuach James makeny, 11749 Nik Mohammad Fadhlan bin Nik Kamaruddin, 12105 Sermphon Klaiseengern, 11823 Nurulhuda Bt Abdul Hamid, 11574

Group 3:
Nurain bt. Minggu, 12153 Nik Fazril Ain Bt Sapian, 12103 Bior Atem Bior, 12920 Mai Thi Lien, 12962 Saw Li Juan, 11580

1 Well Logging
1.1 Definition
The practice of making a detailed record (a well log) of the geologic formations penetrated by a borehole (also known as borehole logging)

1.2 Types of Logging Environments

1. Open-hole logging refers to logging operations that are performed on a well before the wellbore has been cased and cemented. In other words, the logging is done through the bare rock sides of the formation. This is the most common type of logging method because the measurements are not obstructed and it's done during or after the well has been drilled. This is the log type most frequently used in hydrocarbon exploration. 2. Cased-hole logging involves retrieving logging measurements through the well casing, or the metal piping that is inserted into the well during completion operations. Cased-hole logging is performed more rarely but still provides valuable information about the well.

1.3 Types of Logging Tools

1. Geological logging logging based on visual inspection of samples brought to the surface (include drilling time logs, core logs, sample logs, and mud logs) 2. Wireline / Geophysical logging - logging based on physical measurements made by instruments lowered into the borehole (include mechanical methods, electrical methods, magnetic susceptibility logs and radioactive methods).This is the logging technique in which after a well has finished drilling and reached TD (total depth), the logging tool is lowered down the hole the hole on a cable (the wireline). As the tool is brought to the surface ,it measures data (gamma ray, resistivity, etc) from which the log for the well is constructed. Table 1: Common wireline geophysical well measurements (Rider, 1996)

Table 2: Principal Use Of Wireline Logs Wireline Logs Primary Use Spontaneous Potential Logs Used for Correlation. The primary interpretive target is Gamma Ray Logs the gross lithology(the distinction between reservoir and non- reservoir layers) Porosity Logs When used individually, each of the logs has a response (Sonic,Logs, Density Logs to lithology which must be accounted for. and Neutron Logs) When used more than 1 log at a same time (two or three), lithology can be estimated and a more accurate porosity can be derived. Resistivity Logs Used for determination of hydrocarbon bearing versus water-bearing zone Nuclear-Magnetic Resonance Used for determination of lithology-independent Logs measurement of effective porosity as well as total porosity (overcoming many of the limitations of conventional porosity measurements: neutron, density and sonic logs)

1.4 Usage of Well Logging

What information can be defined from logs: Physical rock characteristic Lithology and mineralogy of formation Porosity, Permeability Pore Geometry

Logging data is used for: Identify productive zones Determine depth and thickness of zone Distinguish between Oil, Water and Gas in the reservoir Estimate Hydrocarbon reserves

1.5 Measurement While drilling(MWD), Logging While Drilling(LWD)

For many years, well logging tools were lowered into the well at regular intervals while drilling to retrieve data. With the advent of directional drilling, well logging had to develop to be able to log a well that was no longer vertical. Logging While Drilling and Measurement-WhileDrilling (or MWD) place the logging tools on the end of the drilling column. That way, drillers can use the information immediately to determine the direction and future of the well. Logging-While-Drilling (LWD), a type of well logging that incorporates the logging tools into the drill string, administering, interpreting and transmitting real-time formation measurements to the surface.
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By locating well logging tools near the drill bit on the end of the drilling apparatus, LWD enables drillers to log wells that exceed 60 degrees, which makes pushing the tool through the well impossible. Providing information on porosity, resistivity, acoustic waveform, hole direction, and weight on bit, LWD transmits logging measurements at regular intervals while drilling is taking place. A type of LWD, Measurement-While-Drilling (MWD) specifically refers to measurement of formation properties which is done continuously during the drilling process.

2 Well Test Analysis

2.1 Objectives of well test analysis
To evaluate well condition and reservoir characterization. To obtain reservoir parameters for reservoir description. To determine whether all the drilled length of oil well is also a producing zone. To estimate skin factor or drilling and completion-related damage to an oil well to proceed with well stimulation that should be made.
Uses of Oil Well Tests Pressure transient yields estimates of the followings Can be directly used in material balance calculations. Measure the direction of trends in the reservoir. Estimate variations in rock permeability in the vertical and areal senses. Used to determine the areal extent of a reservoir and to estimate the volumes of fluid in place. To yield quantitative estimates of the well conditions, the efficiency of stimulation, treatment on well productivity can be evaluated. To estimate in-situ rock permeability and well conditions. Provides values for well block permeability and well conditions.

Average reservoir pressure, PAv

Values of vertical and horizontal permeability.

Several transient tests

Pressure measurements can be interpreted

Well tests on the standard source

Numerical simulation process

Values derived from well test

Used to calculate variations in permeability between wells and its trends for model input.

2.2 Pressure Transient Well Tests

Detailed reservoir information is essential for Petroleum Engineer to analyze current behavior and future performance of the reservoir.
2.2.1 Definition

Pressure transient testing is designed to provide engineer with a quantitative analysis of the reservoir properties. It is conducted by creating a pressure disturbance in the reservoir and recording response at the wellbore. As for example is by recording bottom hole flowing pressure, Pwf as a function of time. The pressure behavior of a reservoir following a rate change directly reflects the geometry and flow properties of the reservoir. Information available from a well test: 1. Effective permeability 2. Formation damage or stimulation 3. Flow barriers and fluid contacts 4. Volumetric average reservoir pressure 5. Drainage pore volume 5. Detection, length, capacity of fractures 6. Communication between wells.

Table 1: Reservoir Properties Obtained from Pressure Transient Tests Type of Tests
Drill Stem Tests (DST)

Properties
Reservoir behavior Permeability Skin Fracture length Reservoir pressure Reservoir limit Boundaries Pressure profile Reservoir behavior Permeability Skin Fracture length Reservoir limit Boundaries 5

Development Stage Exploration and appraisal wells

Repeat formation tests/ Multiple formation tests Drawdown tests

Exploration and appraisal wells Primary, secondary and enhanced recovery

Buildup Tests

Falloff test

Interference and pulse tests

Layered reservoir tests

Step-rate tests

Reservoir behavior Permeability Skin Fracture length Reservoir limit Boundaries Skin Reservoir Pressure Fracture length Boundaries Communication between wells Reservoir type behavior Porosity Interwell permeability Vertical permeability Properties of individual layers Horizontal permeability Vertical Permeability Skin Average layer pressure Outer boundaries Formation parting pressure Permeability Skin

Primary, secondary and enhanced recovery

Secondary and enhanced recovery

Primary, secondary and enhanced recovery

Throughout reservoir life

Secondary and enhanced recovery

2.3 Deliverability Tests

2.3.1 Definition:

Test designed to measure production capabilities of a well under specific conditions, where it is primarily used for gas wells, but also applicable for oil wells. Parameters commonly obtained from deliverability tests: Absolute Open Flow (AOF) potential To generate Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) Table 2: Types of Deliverability Tests, Procedure and its Limitations
Type of tests Procedure Limitations

Flow-AfterFlow Tests

By producing the well at series of different stabilized flow rates and measuring BHFP at the sandface. Conventionally it is carried out with a sequence of increasing flow rates, however if stabilized flow rate is attained, flow rate sequence will not affect the tests. To overcome limitation of Flow-After-Flow tests. Conducted by flowing the well at single rate until BHFP is stabilized.

To achieve stabilized flowing rate requires a long time, especially in low permeability formations.

Single Point Tests

Isochronal Tests

Modified Isochronal Tests

Developed to shorten time taken for wells that takes a long time to stabilized. Conducted by alternately producing the well, then shutting the well and allowing it to build up to the average pressure before begins with next production period. Pressure is recorded at several time increments during each flow. To further shortened time taken during isochronal tests. Follow same procedure as isochronal, excepts that the shut-in periods are for same duration and must be equal of longer than the length of the flow period. Shut-in sand face pressure is recorded instead of recording the average reservoir pressure.

Analysis of results requires prior information on well deliverability behavior (previous tests, correlations with other wells producing in the same field at same conditions). Must ensure well has been in production long enough to avoid wellbore storage effect and pseudosteady regime. Suitable for low permeability formations.

Less accurate that isochronal test. As duration of shut-ins period increases, accuracy if tests also increases.

3 Analysis Methods of Pressure Transient Test Data

3.1 Log-log Scale Presentation of Pressure Responses
Normally, for a given test period, change in pressure is plotted against the change in time on log-log scale. The analysis of well test pressure data on log-log scale is a global approach as it covers all flow regimes rather than a specific flow regime as in the case of straight-line methods. A typical presentation of well test pressure data on log-log scale is illustrated in the below figure. Once log-log plot of pressure data is obtained, it is compared with a set of theoretical curves generated from general dimensionless solution. The purpose of this comparison is to define the model which well describes the obtained pressure data. Usually, the dimensionless terms are expressed as: pD=Ap , tD=Bt, A=f(k,h) B=f(k,C,s)

On log-log scale, dimensionless pressure and time can be expressed as: Log(pD)=Log(A) + Log(p) Log(tD)=Log(B)+ Log(t) Change in A or B term cause the log-log plot of pressure data to shift vertically or horizontally respectively. Thus, by matching the log-log plot of actual pressure data with the global or theoretical log-log plot of dimensionless solution, key reservoir properties like kh product or near-wellbore skin can be characterized.

Figure 1: Typical log-log plot of pressure data

3.2 Type Curves

Type Curves are generated by obtaining solutions to the flow equations with specified initial and boundary conditions; in which some solutions are analytical and others are based in finite-difference approximation. Many of type curves are used to determine formation permeability and to characterize damage and stimulation of the tested well. Some testes are used to determine the beginning of the MTR for Horner Analysis. Most of the curves are generated by simulating constant rate pressure drawdown (or injection); however most can also be applied to buildup (or falloff) tests in equivalent shut-in time us used as the time variable on the graph. The test has further advantage for test interpretation on the distorted data of wellbore storage or for the fractured well. Type Curve is preplotted family of pressure drawdown curves. The most fundamental of these curves is a plot of dimensionless pressure change, pD, vs. dimensionless time change, tD.
3.2.1 Rameys Type Curves

Rameys Type Curve were generated for the situation of a constant-rate pressure drawdown test in a reservoir with slightly compressible, single-phase, liquid flowing; sufficient homogeneity such that the radial diffusity equation adequately models flow in the reservoir; uniform drainage pressure in the drainage-area of the well before production; infinite acting reservoir (no boundary effects during the flow period of interest fir test analysis purposes); constant withdrawal rate at the surface; and wellbore storage and concentrated wellbore damage or stimulation characterized by a skin factor, s,. If one or more of these assumptions is invalid in a specific case, there is no assurance that the use of type curves can lead to a valid test interpretation.

Figure 2: Type curves for constant production rate, infinite acting reservoir (Ramey)

3.2.2 McKinleys Type Curves

McKinley proposed type curves with the primary objective of characterizing damage or stimulation in a drawdown or buildup test in which well bore storage distorts most or all of the data, thus making thus characterization possible with relatively short-term tests. The reservoir properties calculated using the early part of the test are liable to be less accurate than those calculated from the straight line of the Horner plot or MDH plot.

Figure 3: McKinleys type curve

3.2.3 Gringarten Type Curves

Gringarten et al. developed type curves for hydraulically fractured wells in which vertical fractures with two equal length wings were created. The curve assumes uniform flux into the fracture ( same flow rate per unit cross sectional area of fracture from wellbore to fracture tip). This type curve also assumes no pressure drop from fracture tip to wellbore. This type curve can be used for a constant rate drawdown for a slightly compressible liquid, buildup tests and also for gas wells.

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Figure 4: Gringarten type curve for vertically fractured well

3.2.4 Bourdet Type curve

This type curve is a plot of dimensionless pressure PD vs the dimensionless time group TD/CD for wells with wellbore storage and skin in an infinite acting reservoir with homogeneous behaviour. The aims are is to calculate the reservoir permeability, wellbore storage coefficient CD and skin factor.

Figure 5: Bourdet type curve for radial flow behavior

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4 References
1. Basic Well Log Analysis(2nd Edition), George Asquith and Daniel Krygowski, AAPG Methods In Exploration Series 16, The American Association Of Petroelum Geologists, Tulsa Oklahoma. 2. Lee,J.: "Analysis of Well Tests Using Type Curves", Well Testing, SPE Text Book Series, v. 1, 1982 3. Bourdet D.: Well Test Analysis: The Use of Advanced Interpretation Models - (Handbook of petroleum exploration and production), 2002. 4. Tarek A.: Reservoir Engineering Handbook. 5. Amanat U. C.: Oil Well Testing Handbook.

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