Drillstem test (DST)

Parameters to be determined by the DST:

reservoir productivity
reservoir permeability
reservoir pressure
reservoir size
=> the DST is a conventional method of formation testing
Steps to perform a DST:
run DST assembly in hole to the zone to be tested
isolate the zone to be tested from the drilling mud
=> set inflatable rubber packers above and below the zone to be tested
=> packers seal the annular space between test string and formation
open the valves inserted into the test string between the two packers
=> any fluids contained in the zone to be tested can now flow into the test string
=> recorders chart static pressures
=> a sampling chamber traps formation fluids at the end of the test
kill the well, close the valves, remove the packers and pull the DST assembly out of hole
analyze data obtained from the DST

Basic hardware for well test operations:

open hole (uncased) DST
=> conventional DST string (with mechanically set packer system)
=> modern DST string (with inflatable dual packer system)
cased hole DST
=> RCI straddle packer
=> wireline formation tester
intelligent well systems
=> vertical wells
=> multilateral wells
Shut-in pressure:
pressure exerted at the top of the wellbore when it is closed at either the X-mas tree or the
BOP stack
the pressure may be from the formation or from pressure maintenance operations
(water injection)
if the shut-in pressure is zero, any open formations are effectively balanced by the
hydrostatic column of fluid in the well => the well is considered to be dead and can
normally be opened safely to the atmosphere

Pre-flow period:
cleaning the well
removal of any supercharge given to the formation due to mud infiltration while drilling

Initial shut-in period:

allows the formation to recover from pressure surges caused during the pre-flow period

Main flow period:

long production period designed to test the formation flow properties in a more detailed way
flowing pressures and temperatures are recorded
fluid samples are gathered

Final shut-in period:

formation pressure is recorded
permeability, degree of formation damage and reservoir size can be derived from the
pressure build-up curve

 pre-flow period, initial shut-in period, main flow period and final shut-in period can also be
distinguished from the following diagram
the irregular lines at the beginning and the end represent indistinct data due to flow not
having stabilized yet

Modern DST string (with inflatable dual packer system):