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DST TEST
Figure 1
The hydraulic valve is then opened and the formation fluids are free to
flow into the low-pressure drillpipe ( Figure 2 ). This initial flow, or pre-
flow period, is usually short in duration, say 5 to 10 minutes. Its purpose
is to relieve any buildup in pressure that may have occurred due to
setting the packer(s), or supercharging. If the formation being tested is
permeable and a large overbalance in drilling mud hydrostatic pressure is
present during drilling, the formation may be ""supercharged'' with mud
filtrate. In this case, a longer flow period (perhaps 30 minutes) may be
necessary in order to obtain an accurate estimate of initial pressure.
Figure 2
The control valve is then closed and, because fluids may no longer flow
into the drillpipe, the recorded pressure normally approaches the original
formation pressure ( Figure 3 ). This shut-in period typically lasts for 30
to 60 minutes.
Figure 3
The control valve is then opened once again for the second, more
important flow period. Typically, an openhole test will last for 60 to 180
minutes and a cased hole test will last for 8 to 10 hours ( Figure 4 ). At
the end of this flow period, a fluid sample is collected and isolated in the
sample chamber. Additional samples are collected at the surface for wells
that flow to surface.
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
At the surface, the pressure recording device is retrieved from the tool
string, and the dynamic response of the test interval to the alternate
pressure drawdown and buildup periods is analyzed. If the test tools did
not operate properly, the test must be repeated. To avoid this potentially
costly remedy, it is now possible to display and record bottomhole
pressures at the surface while the test is being run. This provides
immediate information on the quality of the test, the opportunity to
analyze the data before the tool string is retrieved, and the ability to
terminate the test when sufficient data has been collected.
It is clear that the drillstem test is one of the more important reservoir
evaluation methods because it is the only method that tests potentially
productive zones under dynamic flow conditions for a significant time
period. It should not be used in isolation from the other methods listed
above, however. Rather, they should all be seen as an integrated whole
which allows us to see "deeper" into the reservoir. As with any
evaluation method, we must temper what we "see" with what is realistic.
Openhole Tests
1 conventional bottomhole
2 conventional straddle
3 inflatable
Casing Tests
1 conventional
2 pressure operated tools
Figure 13
Figure 14
The openhole bypass may or may not be an integral part of the hydraulic
valve sub. This bypass allows fluids to flow upward in the tool string,
through the packer assembly, and then to the annulus through ports as the
tool string is being lowered into the hole. When the tools are retrieved,
the process is reversed. This minimizes any hydraulic surging during
running-in, and formation fluid swabbing when pulling-out.
Hydraulic jars are used to provide sharp upward impact blows to the
drillstring if the test tools and drillstring become stuck in the hole
(usually because the anchor pipe is stuck in debris). All hydraulic jars
operate according to the same basic principle. A hydraulic system, which
is operated by raising the drillpipe, causes a sharp hammer blow to the
drillpipe when it is in a stretched condition. This causes a jarring action.
By alternately reducing and increasing the tension on the drillstem, the
procedure is repeated with the goal of "jarring" loose the drillstring.
Should the lower part of the test tool become stuck in the hole, the safety
joint may be used to retrieve all of the tools above it. There are several
types of safety joint mechanisms. Some utilize a left-hand "back off"
thread connection, so a right-hand rotation allows the safety joint
connection to be unscrewed, while preventing the possibility of backing
off at a normal tool joint (which is unscrewed by left-hand rotation). A
spline and lug arrangement prevents the joint from being unscrewed
during ordinary manipulation of the drillpipe.
Figure 19
Figure 20
It is the direct link between the control head and the flare, separator, or
production line. Usually it is designed in a square with positions for
placing chokes on both sides. One side usually has a fixed but
interchangeable choke size; the other side has a variable choke.
Improper test design will also lead to a faulty DST. There are a number
of ways in which a DST may be designed improperly:
The drillpipe (or tubing) may not have the proper collapse pressure,
internal yield, or tensile strength necessary for the imposed test
conditions. Because the drillpipe is usually lowered into the hole dry,
there is a substantial difference between the external (annulus) and
internal pressure. If the hydrostatic pressure is greater than the collapse
pressure, drillpipe collapse could occur. This is one of several reasons for
adding a fluid cushion (e.g., water, diesel oil or nitrogen)to the
drillstring. The tensile strength of the drillpipe should also be considered.
If the test string becomes stuck, making it necessary to activate the jars,
the imposed force may be 100,000 lb of impact load above string weight.
PACKER SEAL
The packer seal should have been maintained throughout the test.
Depending upon the type of test run, it is possible to verify that a
competent packer seal was maintained by observing measured pressures
at different times during the test, by comparing measured pressures at
two different recorders during the test, or by noting changes in the casing
pressure or annulus fluid level during the test.
Most DSTs are run with at least two or three pressure recorders; two
within the test interval and one either above or below the interval. We
must decide which recorder data is to be used. The following guidelines
are suggested:
· Use a recorder that was run nearest the test interval.
· Use a recorder with pressures recorded in midrange (20% to 80%
of full scale) of the capacity of the recorder and with the shortest
clock (more spread).
· Use a recorder whose measured values agree with other recorded
readings.
· Use a recorder which closely matches the real time sequence of
events.
· Check the recorded data for malfunction.
Chapter 5 : DST Test
113
When two recorders are used, one should measure the pressure in the
flow stream and the other should measure the pressure outside the tool
string to aid in analyzing the test. Always look at both the inside and
outside recorder charts to confirm a valid test.
PERMEABILITY
Liquid Recovery
Pressure fluctuations during the flow periods are an indication that both
liquid and gas are being produced. The fluctuations shown in Figure 37
(a), for example, were caused by gas unloading slugs of liquid at the
surface.
(a)
(b)
ANCHOR PLUGGING
In Figure 38 , the charts from both the inside and outside recorders
indicate that the anchor was beginning to plug during the initial flow
period and then it became completely plugged just after the onset of the
final flow. This is evident because there is no pressure buildup during
both the flow and subsequent buildup periods on the inside recorder, but
the outside recorder continues to "feel" the formation pressure.
If the tool becomes plugged above the inside recorder during the final
flow period ( Figure 40 ), both recorders will show a continuous buildup
after plugging. This will continue for the remainder of the open period
and the following shut-in period. The small line on the charts indicates
the valve closing for the final shut-in period.
SKIN FACTOR (s :
With data obtained from a DST analysis, the inflow performance curves
for the well may be calculated using Vogel's method (Brown, 1982). They
also may be obtained by using the basic model that we have found
represents our wellbore-reservoir system, and then carrying out a series of
simulations to obtain flow rate versus flowing bottomhole pressure curves
at various values of bottomhole pressure (example, Figure 1 , Inflow
performance curves for Williston Basin Wel ). Note that the inflow
performance curve "shrinks" as the reservoir is depleted and the average
reservoir pressure decreases.