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CHAPTER 1

PURPOSE OF THE BOOK

This book seeks to establish the framework that Well Test Engineers and relatedprofessionals should use for the planning and conduct of well testing operations.The book does not aim to be prescriptive in all areas of well operations and the practicalimplementation of the recommended practices and guidelines allows considerable flexibility.Additionally, the book cannot address all the specific hydrocarbon regulations that existworldwide. However, the book does provide sound practical advice drawn from the authorsexperience of well operations in more than twenty five countries, covering all the principal oiland gas producing provinces worldwide. It is conceivable that on rare occasions and forspecific operations that the guidelines as explained in this book may conflict with some localhydrocarbon regulations in the theatre of operations. On such occasions the local hydrocarbonregulations should take precedence.Engineers embarking on test planning activities in countries in which they are personallyunfamiliar with the relevant hydrocarbon regulations, should obtain a copy of theseregulations and check that any programmes issued by them are in compliance with therelevant regulations.

There are currently a plethora of books on well test pressure transient analysis, for example;(5) Earlougher, R.C., "Advances in Well Test Analysis", (10) Mathews, C.S. and Russel,D.G., "Pressure Buildup and Flow Tests in Wells" and (8) Home, R.N., "Modem Well TestAnalysis". However, the author is unaware of any other book covering the operational aspectsof oil and gas well testing. The techniques and procedures described in this book would notnormally be taught as part of a university petroleum engineering course. Therefore, engineersmust leam these techniques through a variety of means: postgraduate studies, seminars,training courses and via the mentoring process. This book brings together a wealth ofinformation that the author has derived from his work with intemational oil industry servicecompanies, major and independent oil and gas operating companies, government regulatorybodies and training organisations the world over.This book provides engineers with the basic tools to allow them to start to plan well testingoperations for themselves. However, complex well tests such as HP/HT, deep water and sourgas are best handled by an experienced consultant who has developed the necessary skills andhas the experience to confidently manage such operations.

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2 OperationalAspects ofOil and Gas Well TestingThis book specifically aims at defining a structured approach to the following: Setting Well Test Objectives Safe Working Practices Test Design Enhancement of the Quality of Test Data

Setting Well Test ObjectivesThe setting of well test objectives is always a difficult process, within both the smallestindependent to the largest multinational operating oil and gas company.There are very many opinions to be sought and many agendas to be addressed while settingthe well test objectives. The experienced test engineer has an important role in formulatingthese objectives. Through a knowledge of the technical capabilities of the equipment and thelikely levels of expenditure the test engineer can focus the exploration group on what isimportant and realistic to achieve fi^om an individual well test for a given level ofexpenditure. The information contained in this book provides the reader with the necessarytechnical information to assist in this process.Safe Working PracticesAbove all the main concern when planning a well test should be safety. In many parts of theworld hydrocarbon regulations exist to control how tests are implemented bothfi-oma safetyand environmental standpoint. However, in other parts of the world no such regulations exist.Working under these circumstances is in fact more difficult as the person orchestrating thetest must substantially self regulate how the test will be conducted.Large operating oil and gas companies usually have fairly well developed procedures writteninto their corporate well testing policy and procedures manuals to cope with mostcircumstances. However, these policy and procedures manuals may not cover all scenarios.Moreover in smaller and medium sized companies these policies and procedures may noteven exist.

Therefore it will be the responsibility of engineers and managers to develop safe workingpractices and ensure that these practices are put into affect at the well site. This book willassist greatly in that task.

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Purpose of the Book

Test DesignTest design will include selection of appropriate equipment to carry out a well test within thecontext of the well test objectives. The test design should also comply with safe working andgood oilfield practices that are appropriate for the theatre of operations.Furthermore, the design of a test will also include a decision on the most appropriate type oftest to conduct to achieve the objectives of the test, in a timely and cost effective manner. Forexample whether to carry out a flow after flow test or an isochronal test.Again this book should assist the reader in this respect.Enhancement of the Quality of Test Data

The quality of test data can be significanfly enhanced through the selection of the m ostappropriate technology and procedures. For example downhole shut valves where appropriateto reduce well bore storage effects. Undebalanced perforating to improve perforatingefficiency. The selection of the appropriate instrumentation with both the desired accuracyand reliability for a specific application, hi addidon preparation of quality well testingprogrammes with well explained step by step procedures will improve on the quality of thedata acquired during a test.Therefore, the purpose of this book is to assist the reader in the preparation, planning andexecution of well tests: safely, efficiently and cost effectively, to the highest standards.