Well Test Analysis

-Type Curves-

By: Dr. Mostafa Ghasemi Baboli

Email:Mostafa.baboli@petronas.com.my
Room No: J3-02-08
Ext:7375
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References:
1. Horne, R.N. (1995), Modern Well Test Analysis, Petroway
2. Chaudhry A. (2004), Oil Well Test Handbook, Gulf
Professional Publishing
3. J. Lee, (1982), Well Testing, SPE, New York

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Lesson Out come:

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

Understand and Calculate wellbore storage coefficient, permeability, and skin factor
from type curve matching.

CO2: To characterize the reservoir using type curve matching

PO3: Design solutions for complex Petroleum Engineering problems and design systems,
components or processes that meet specified needs with appropriate consideration for
public health and safety, cultural, societal, and environmental considerations.

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1.
2.
3.
4.

To analyze drawdown and build up test using analytical solutions.

To characterise the reservoir using type curves matching.
To apply the concept of superposition in well test.
To apply the principle equations for well test analysis.

Type Curve
A type curve, is a response expressed in a dimensionless variables,
which is a typical for the system e.g. A simple radial model with
wellbore storage.

In a type curve, The Axis are the dimensionless representation of

Pressure and dimensionless time.

In These parameters, the value of permeability (k) is accounted for ,

However the value of wellbore storage (C) is still a parameter.
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Schematic of a Type Curve

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Wellbore Storage (C)

In most cases, well test analysis is the interpretation of Pressure Response (P) to a
change in Rate (0 to a constant at drawdown test and from a constant to a zero in Build
up test).

As we know, The only means of controlling the flow rate is at wellhead valve or flow line.
Hence the well may produce at constant rate at wellhead, the flow transient within the
wellbore (qsf :sandface flow rate) itself may not be constant.

1. Fluid Expansion

This effect can be caused by several ways but the most important reasons are :
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2.

Changing Liquid Level

Surface tension

In which type of well,

wellbore storage has
lower effect?!

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Wellbore Storage
Wellbore Storage and Skin are phenomena
associate with the well that affect the behavior of
transient response specially in early time.

Changing in Wellbore storage happen only by

Wellbore Phase Redistribution.
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 Wellbore storage is a Major nuisance of the well interpretation.

The wellbore storage can be calculated as :

V
C
P

V : Produced Volume
P: Pressure Drop

5.615C
C D 2 C hr 2
t
w

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Wellbore Storage
When the valve is opened,
fluid flows from the wellbore,
and the pressure in the
wellbore drops, first near the
valve and gradually throughout
the wellbore. When the
pressure at the sandface drops,
the reservoir fluid flows into
the well. For some time, the
flow from the well is a
combination of flow
from the wellbore and
from the reservoir, and
the rate of flow at the
sandface, qsf, is less than the
well flow rate at the surface, q.
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The reservoir flows because the reservoir fluids are compressible. For
a constant reservoir volume, if some fluid is leaving the volume, the
remaining fluid expands to fill the volume, and the pressure drops.

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q qsf qw
q sf
q

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qw
1
q

It can be understood that, A

well test must be long enough
that wellbore storage effect is
over and the wellbore is full
with flow from the reservoir.

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For fluid expansion storage coefficient is:

C cw Vw
Whats the difference between Cw and Ct ?!!
And for falling liquid level:

C
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144 Aw

( ft 3 / psi )

Wellbore Storage

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Infinite Acting Radial Flow

Once the wellbore storage effect are over, the wellbore pressure transient
reflects the pressure transient out in the reservoir.

It should be noted that, at very late time, the pressure response is affected
by the influence of reservoir boundaries.

But before late time, reservoir acts as it were infinite in extent.

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The intermediate time response between early wellbore

dominated response and the late time boundary dominated
response is known as infinite acting period.

The Pressure transient due to the infinite acting radial flow at constant flow
rate is:

PD =

2
1

Ei r D
2

4t D

Here Ei : exponential integral function

rD >=1
So it can be used for interference tests, drawdown and build up.
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Wellbore Pressure Transient

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PwD

1
lnt D 0.80907 S
2

FOR

When the natural logarithmic (ln) has been replaced by a

logarithm to the base 10 (log)

qB
k
log t log
Pwf Pi 162.6
0.8686 S 3.2274
2

kh
Ct rw

And the slope of the line become:

qB
m 162.6
kh
So by this method the permeability can be calculated.

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 Pi P1hr

k
s 1.151
log
3.2274
2
Ct r w
m

Where is P1hr in the graph??

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Semilog Analysis
Semilog Analysis

Semilog Straight Line (Infinite Acting Radial

Flow)

What should do in semilog analysis?

To assure the location of straight line , Its very important to begin a semilog analysis
by considering the storage effect.
1. Semilog is not based on straight line alone
Because

2. Not all well tests will necessary include an infinite

acting radial flow response period
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Semilog !!! (continued)

The wellbore storage shows a unit slope straight line on a log-log plot
of P vs. t.

There is a 1.5 log cycles between the end of the unit slope straight line
representing of wellbore storage and the start of purely reservoir
response.

This observation, provides useful method to identify the start of semilog

straight line.
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Semilog Analysis steps:

1. Draw a log-log of P vs t.

2. Determine the time at which the unit slope line Ends.

3. Note the time 1.5 Cycle ahead that point.

4. Draw a semilog plot of P vs t.

5. Estimate the permeability (k) and after that Skin Factor at 1hr
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Exercise:

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Q 1: When the unit slop line ends?

Q 2: What the end of unit slope line shows?

Q 3: When the reservoir response get started (apply 1.5 cycle rule)?

Q4: what does it shows?

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Answer:

1. The time to that unit slope straight line ends is on 0.08.

2. It shows the end of wellbore effect.

3. In Semilog scale the start of straight line is on 2 hr.

4. It shows that the wellbore storage effect is finished and we are getting the pure
reservoir response.

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Answer:

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Continued:

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Other parameters that we should have:

Bt ( RB / STB ) 1.21

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o (cp)

2.92

Ct (/ psi )

8.72 *10 6

0.21

rw ( feet )

0.401

h( feet )

23

Pi ( psia )

6009

q ( STB / d )

2500

Calculating other parameters of reservoir:

Based on

tD
PD
CD
We get:

0.234qB
Pi P
t
5.615C
At any point of the unit slope straight line can be used to obtain the
estimate for C:
C=0.0154 STB/psi
t= 0.0167 hours, P= 5867.82 psia
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The slope of straight line is 255.2 psi/log cycle

From the formula we have:

qB
m 162.6
kh
By substituting the data in the formula we
get that:

(2500)(1.21)(0.92)
255.2162.6
k (23)
Hence the permeability become k=77.1 md

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 Pi P1hr

k
s 1.151
log
3.2274
2
Ct rw
m

So the skin factor s= 6.09

3385C (60 3.5s )

kh /

3385(0.0154)(60 3.5 * 6.09)

t
2.2 hours
(77.1)(23) /(0.92)
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Data interpretation or analysis methods

Interpretation of observed pressure and rate data based on mathematical
well/reservoir model involves inverse problem. i.e.,
Input
(production/inje
ction rate)

Real system
(reservoir)

Output-Observed
data (P vs Time)

Input
(production/inje
ction rate)

Model (, k, s, C,
etc)

Output-Model
data (P vs Time)

Matching of the observed data with the model data allows estimation of , k, s, C

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Ranking of WTI methods (Gringarten, 2006 -SPE

102079)

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Exercise:
A 1200 ft deep pumping well has a 1.5 outer diameter tubing inside
a casing with 5 inch inner diameter casing.
Calculate the cross sectional area of the system without packer?
The storage coefficient of the oil?
If the same happen for the gas with compressibility of 0.0002
psi-1, what will be happened?

How much is the storage coefficient of the reservoir?

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24

=
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0.234 141.2 1
10.06
3
+

2
2
4

162.6

3.23 + 0.869

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Fundamentals of type curves

Type curves are plots of theoretical solutions to flow equations.
Type curves can be used to estimate reservoir properties, identify the appropriate
reservoir model, and identify various flow patterns during a test.
Type curves are usually presented in dimensionless variables.

2.64104

where, p=pressure, psi

r=radial distance, ft
t=time, hrs
k=permeability, md
=viscosity, cp
=total compressibility, 1
=porosity, fraction
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(1)
slightly compressible fluid
Laminar (Darcy) flow
Small and constant fluid compressibility
Isothermal conditions
Negligible gravity effects
Homogeneous porous media

Contd
, = +

70.6

948 2

(2)

Rearranging Eq. 2 gives

=

( )
141.2

70.6

948 2

1
2 4(0.0002637/ )

2
1

2 4

For a finite wellbore radius,

= ( , , , )
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(3)

(4)

(5)
Dimensionless variables:
( )
=
141.2
0.0002637
=
2
=
0.894
=
2

Application of type curves

1. Rameys type curves
Slightly compressible fluid
Single-phase liquid flowing
Homogeneous
Uniform pressure in the drainage area of the wellbore before production
Infinite acing reservoir (no boundary effects during the flow periods of interest
for analysis)
Constant production rate at the surface
Infinitesimal skin that may be modeled with an apparent wellbore radius
Constant wellbore storage coefficient
It is developed for drawdown tests, but can be applied to Buildup test analysis

using equivalent time ( =

) under the following condition:
+

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for

Rameys Type Curves

Are the plots of dimensionless pressure change PD Vs dimensionless time change tD

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The most important data can be given from the Type Curve is skin factor and
dimensionless wellbore storage constant CD

Its clear that for infinite acting reservoir, specification of CD and s uniquely
determines the value of PD at a given value of tD

S is used to characterize the wellbore damage or stimulation.

Procedure
Step 1: plot ( ) vs. (drawdown) and (
@=0 ) vs. (buildup) on a log-log graph paper the
same size (scale) as the master type curve.
Step 2: if the data has a unit slope region (45 at early times),
choose any point (,( )) or ( , ( @=0 )) on
the unit-slope line and calculate the wellbore storage
coefficient :

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24 ( )

(RB/psi)

Procedure contd
Then calculate the dimensionless wellbore storage
coefficient:
=

0.894
2

Step 3: Using type curves with as calculated in step 2,

find curve that most nearly fits all plotted data. Side the field
curve, keeping axes parallel, until the best match is obtained
with one of the curves of the master graph.

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Procedure contd

Step 4: Pick any convenient match point and read its corresponding
coordinates: (, ) and (, ) for drawdown test or ( , ) for
buildup test.

Step 5: Calculate k and using the following equations:

=

141.2

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(mD)

0.000264
2

( 1 )

(8)
(9)

Rameys type curve

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Application of Remeys Type Curve

Slightly compressible fluid
Single-phase liquid flowing
Homogeneous

Uniform pressure in the drainage area of the wellbore before production

Infinite acing reservoir (no boundary effects during the flow periods of interest for analysis)
Constant production rate at the surface
Infinitesimal skin that may be modeled with an apparent wellbore radius
Constant wellbore storage coefficient
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 Example 1: Determine k, s, and C and the time that wellbore storage is finished,
from the data and table below, which were obtained in a pressure drawdown test
on an oil well.

q=500 STB/D

rw=0.3 ft

=0.2

h=56 ft

=0.8 cp

Bo=1.2 RB/STB

Ct=10-5 psi-1

Pi=3000 psia
t, hrs

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Pwf, psi

t, hrs

Pwf, psi

0.0109

2,976

0.491

2,302

0.0164

2,964

0.546

2,256

0.0218

2,953

1.09

1,952

0.0273

2,942

1.64

1,828

0.0328

2,930

2.18

1,768

0.0382

2,919

2.73

1,734

0.0437

2,908

3.28

1,712

0.0491

2,897

3.82

1,694

0.0546

2,886

4.37

1,684

0.109

2,785

4.91

1,674

0.164

2,693

5.46

1,655

0.218

2,611

6.55

1,651

0.273

2,536

8.74

1,630

0.328

2,469

10.9

1,614

0.382

2,408

16.4

1,587

0.437

2,352

-Form this Table:

t, hrs

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pi-pwf, psi

t, hrs

pi-pwf, psi

0.0109

24

0.437

648

0.0164

36

0.491

698

0.0218

47

0.546

744

0.0273

58

1.09

1048

0.0328

70

1.64

1172

0.0382

81

2.18

1232

0.0437

92

2.73

1266

0.0491

103

3.28

1288

0.0546

114

3.82

1304

0.109

215

4.37

1316

0.164

307

4.91

1326

0.218

389

5.46

1335

0.273

464

6.55

1349

0.328

531

8.74

1370

0.382

592

10.9

1386

0.437

648

16.4

1413

0.491

698

10000

1000

100

10
0.01

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0.1

10

100

 Step 2: calculate and

=
( )
10000

.
=

1000

(
)=100
100
=0.046
10

1
0.01

0.1

= 0.0115 / and = 1000

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10

100

 Step 3: Using type curves with as calculated in step 2, find curve that most nearly fits all plotted data. Side
the field curve, keeping axes parallel, until the best match is obtained with one of the curves of the master graph.
10000

1000

100

10
0.01

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0.1

10

100

Step 4: Pick any convenient match point and read its corresponding coordinates:
(, ) and (, / ) for drawdown test or ( , / ) for buildup test.
= 100
= 0.7
= 1

=1.7 * 10^4
=5
Step 5: Calculate k and using the following equations:
= 141.2
=

0.000264
2

= 8.472
=1.928 106 1

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Exercise:
What can be concluded from calculated and given ?!

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Gringarten et al Type Curve:

This type curve is based on solution to the diffusivity equation modeling the flow with a
slightly compressible liquid in a homogeneous acting formation.

The initial condition is uniform pressure throughout the drainage area of the well.

Grongerten et al, re plotted Remeys solution to facilitate application of type curve.

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Sample of Gringarten et al Type Curve

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About Gringarton et al Type Curve:

1.

Its a function of PD vs tD/cD as a function of correlating parameter CD e2s.

2. As long as wellbore unloading accounts, for all the flow during drawdown test or
while after flow account for 100% of the flow rate before shut-in in a build up test,
a line having a slope equal to one will occur at early time on a log-log plot.

3. The match will probably not be unique means that other curves will be match the
data quite well as well.

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Procedure
Step 1: plot ( ) vs. (drawdown) and ( @=0 ) vs. (buildup) on a log-log
graph paper with the same size (scale) as the master type curve.
Step 2: if the data has a unit slope region (45 at early times), choose any point (, (
)) or ( , ( @=0 )) on the unit-slope line and calculate the Dimensionless
wellbore storage coefficient :

0.03723
2

Then calculate the wellbore storage coefficient, :

=
24

Step 3: overlay the test data on the type curves and find the type curve that most nearly
fits all the plotted test data. Record the value of the type-curve correlating parameter,
2 , corresponding to the matched type curve. This match will probably not be unique;
i.e., other curves may match the data equally well.
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Contd

Step 4: Pick any convenient match point and read its corresponding
coordinates: ( , ) and (, / ) for drawdown test or ( , / ) for
buildup test.
Step 5: Calculate k and using the following equations:

= 141.2

Step 6: calculate the dimensionless wellbore-storage coefficient, , from the time match
point.
=

0.000264
2

(11)

This value should be comparable to the one calculated in Step 2.

Step 7: Calculate skin factor, s, with the type-curve correlating parameter, 2 , from step 3
and the dimensionless wellbore-storage coefficient, , determined from the time match point
in step 6.

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= 0.5

(12)

 Quiz: The data summarized the table below are from a buildup test on an oil well.
Estimate the effective permeability to oil, the skin factor, and the wellbore-storage
coefficient with the Gringarten type curve.

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q=600 STB/D

rw=0.365 ft

=0.2

h=78 ft

=1 cp

Bo=1.2 RB/STB

ct=1.61e-5 psi-1

@=0 =250 psia

tp=1400 hrs

Pi=2447 psia

t, hrs

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te

pws, psi

250

0.0001

1E-04

254.09

0.0002

0.0002

0.0005

t, hrs

te

pws, psi

1.71

1.707914

2043.1

1793.1

4.09

2.73

2.724687

2072.1

1822.1

258.16

8.16

4.36

4.346464

2100.7

1850.7

0.0005

270.3

20.3

6.5

6.469961

2124.9

1874.9

0.0008

0.0008

282.33

32.33

10.5

10.42184

2153.7

1903.7

0.001

0.001

290.29

40.29

15.1

14.93887

2175.4

1925.4

0.003

0.003

367.39

117.39

20

19.71831

2192

1942

0.005

0.005

440.4

190.4

25

24.5614

2205.2

1955.2

0.008

0.008

542.99

292.99

30

29.37063

2215.9

1965.9

0.01

0.01

607.11

357.11

35

34.14634

2225

1975

0.016

0.016

780.68

530.68

40

38.88889

2232.8

1982.8

0.0255

0.0255

1005.1

755.1

45

43.59862

2239.6

1989.6

0.0406

0.040599

1263.2

1013.2

50

48.27586

2245.7

1995.7

0.0649

0.064897

1515.6

1265.6

55

52.92096

2251.2

2001.2

0.104

0.103992

1714

1464

60

57.53425

2256.2

2006.2

0.165

0.164981

1837

1587

65

62.11604

2260.8

2010.8

0.264

0.26395

1907.4

1657.4

70

66.66667

2265

2015

0.421

0.420873

1950

1700

72

68.47826

2266.6

2016.6

0.672

0.671678

1983.2

1733.2

80

75.67568

2272.6

2022.6

1.07

1.069183

2013.5

1763.5

 Step 1: Plot vs = @=0 on log-log graph with same

scale as the master type curve
10000

1000

100

10

1
0.0001

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0.001

0.01

0.1

10

100

Step 2: if the data has a unit slope region (45 at early times), choose any point (, ( )) or
( , ( @=0 )) on the unit-slope line and calculate the wellbore storage coefficient :
0.03723
=
2

Then calculate the wellbore storage coefficient, :

=
24

10000

, psi

1000
100

= 18.767
= 7.027 4 RB/psi

p =117.39
psi

10

=0.003

1
0.0001 0.001

0.01

0.1
_

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10

100

 Step 3: overlay the test data on the type curves and find the type curve that most nearly
fits all the plotted test data. Ans: 2 = 1010
10000

( = 10000 , = 80)

1000

100

10

( =0.1, / =32)
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Step 4: Pick any convenient match point and read its corresponding coordinates:
( , ) and (, / ) for drawdown test or ( , / ) for buildup test.
Ans: ( = 10000 , = 80) and ( =0.1, / =32)
Step 5: Calculate k and using the following equations:

= 141.2

Ans: (k=9.56md)
Step 6: calculate the dimensionless wellbore-storage coefficient, , from the time match point.
0.000264

=
2
/
Ans: ( =18.364)
This value should be comparable to the one calculated in Step 2.
Step 7: Calculate skin factor, s, with the type-curve correlating parameter, 2 , from step 3
and the dimensionless wellbore-storage coefficient, , determined from the time match point
in step 6.

Ans: (s=10.06)
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= 0.5