DRILLSTEM TESTING

Drillstem testing is a temporary well completion test undertaken before or after casing is run. It enables
us to look "deeper" into the reservoir than the other wellbore measurement methods. In its simplest form,
the DST assembly is a set of measurement, control, and sample tools placed on the drillstem (in limited
cases, at the bottom of tubing). It consists of one or more packers which isolate the test zone, a flow
control valve, a continuous pressure recording device, a fluid sample chamber, and a perforated anchor
for the fluids entering the tool string. The test tools are run into the hole with empty drillpipe or tubing (in
some cases a carefully designed water, diesel, or nitrogen cushion is used). The sequence of a typical test
is shown in Figures 1 to 6. As the tool string is run into the hole, the increasing hydrostatic pressure of the
mud column is recorded by the pressure gauge ( Figure 1 ).

Figure 1

When the test tools reach the depth of the test formation, the packer is set against the walls of the hole or
casing, thereby isolating the pressure of the mud column from the pressure in the test zone. Pressure is
measured at the very bottom of the tool string and within the tool string itself. The gauge records the
pressure imposed by the hydrostatic head and any "squeeze" pressure developed when setting the packer.

The hydraulic valve is then opened and the formation fluids are free to flow into the low-pressure drillpipe
( Figure 2 ).
 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.
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 ).
 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. The final flow period is followed by a
final shut-in period ( Figure 5 ), which lasts approximately twice as long as the final flow period.
 Figure 5

This provides a final shut-in pressure value. Any produced hydrocarbons are then reversed out of the test
string, the packer is carefully released, and the tool string is pulled to the surface. Note that as soon as
the packer is released, the hydrostatic pressure imposed by the mud column at the bottom of the drillstem
is reduced as the tool string is pulled out of the hole ( Figure 6 ).
 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.

Information Obtained from a DST

The DST is the only immediate post-drilling formation evaluation method which allows us to evaluate the
reservoir environment quite some distance into the formation from the wellbore. We are able to do this
because of the technological advancement in our ability to use pressure transient data to specify reservoir
and near-wellbore environments. The following is a summary of the information about a reservoir that
may be gained from a drillstem test.

Information Directly Obtained Or Graphically Extrapolated:

static reservoir pressure (if the shut-in time is sufficiently long);

flow rate (STB/D or m3/d for liquid; Mscf/D or m3/d for gas);

depletion (If the final stabilized shut-in pressure is less than the initial stabilized shut-in pressure,
the produced fluid volume causes measurable depletion of the test zone and therefore, its effective
communicating volume is small.);

fluid sample.
Information Mathematically Derived:

The following information may be estimated by comparing the pressure and fluid data obtained in the test
with available mathematical solutions to the appropriate flow equations:

effective permeability of the formation to the flowing fluid.

transmissibility.

skin factor (for both near wellbore damage and stimulation).

radius of investigation.

reservoir anomalies (barriers, fluid contacts, permeability changes, layered zones).

well productivity under various completion design conditions.

wellbore storage effects .

the basis for design of subsurface and surface equipment.

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.

  E1

Describe a typical drillstem test chart and state what occurs during the various periods of the test.

S1
 Figure 1

A typical drillstem test chart and the description of what occurs during the various periods are as follows (
Figure 1 ):

As the tool is run into the hole, the increasing hydrostatic pressure of the mud column is recorded by the
pressure gauge (AB). The initial hydrostatic pressure is measured at B. Once the tool reaches the depth of
formation to be tested, the packer is set and the hydraulic valve is opened. The pressure drops to record
the pressure in the empty drillpipe (C). Fluid enters the drillpipe during the preflow or initial flow period
(CD). This preflow period is usually short in duration, say 5 to 10 minutes. Then, the control valve is
closed (D) and the pressure approaches the original formation pressure (E). This initial buildup period
usually lasts for 30 to 60 minutes. The control valve is then opened once again for the final flow period
lasting 60 to 180 minutes onshore and eight or more hours offshore (FG). This flow period is followed by a
final shut-in period which gives the final shut-in pressure (H). As soon as the packer is released, the final
hydrostatic pressure is imposed by the mud column (I). The tool is retrieved from the hole and the
hydrostatic pressure is reduced.

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Course Scorecard

Name: Venkat Chakravarthi

Date Started: 2/12/2013 4:20:33 PM

Date Completed: 2/12/2013 4:22:18 PM

Time Spent: 2 Minutes

 Number of Questions: 2

Correct Answers: 2

Incorrect Answers: 0

Score: 100%

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You have scored 100 out of 100 in this Course.

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Venkat Chakravarthi's Self Assessment Answers - Second Attempt

 1. If the formation being tested is permeable and a large overbalance in drilling mud hydrostatic pressure is present
during drilling:

  (A) a longer flow period is necessary to obtain accurate pressure estimate.

 2. A DST also provides information about reservoir anomalies, such as barriers, permeability changes and layered
zones.

  (A) True