Chapter: 5

Gas Well Testing

(Deliverability Testing)

1/5

Information that can be obtained from transient well testing are: formation
permeability, skin factor, turbulence coefficient, average reservoir pressure.

The most common transient tests are drawdown tests and buildup tests. The
selection of which test to conduct is based on the well and field conditions.

5.1- Radial Flow of Compressible Fluids, Transient Flow

Gas viscosity and density vary significantly with pressure and therefore the
assumptions of the flow of compressible fluids in the reservoir are not satisfied for
gas systems. To develop a solution to the continuity equation for the compressible
fluid, or gas case, two additional equations are required:
i. An equation of state, usually the real gas law.
ii. The equation describing how the gas isothermal compressibility varies with
pressure. Therfore, the required equations are:
PV = ZnRT

and
cg =

1 1 dZ

P Z dP

With the continuty equation, these three equations can be combined to yield

ct p
1 P P
P
r
=
r r z r 0.0002637 kZ t
A transformation of variables is used to obtain a solution to the previous equation.
The transformation involves the real gas pseudopressure, m(P), which has units of

psia 2
in standard field units and is defined as:
cp
m( P ) =

PR

2P
dP
z

where pR is a reference pressure, usually chosen to be 14.7 psia, from which the
function is evaluated. Since and z are only functions of pressure for a given
reservoir system, which we have assumed to be isothermal, the previous equation
can be differentiated and the chain rule of differentiation applied to obtain the
following relationships:

2/5

m( P) 2 P
=
P
Z
m( P) m( P) P
=
P r
r
m( P) m( P) P
=
P r
t

Substituting the first equatin into the second and the third equations yields:
P Z m( P)
=
r 2 P r
P Z m(P )
=
t 2 P t

Combining the previous two equiations with the original equation yeilds:

ct
2 m( P) 1 m( P)
m( P)
+
=
2
r
r r
0.0002637 k t
The previous equation is the diffusivity equation for compressible fluids, and it
has a very similar form to the diffusivity equation for slightly compressible fluids.
The only difference in the appearance of the two equations is that the previous
equation has the real gas pseudopressure, m(p), substituted for p. The previous
equation is still a nonlinear differential equation because of the dependence of
and ct on pressure or the real gas pseudopressure. Thus, there is no analytical
solution for the previous equation. In general, there are three forms of the
mathematical solutions to the diffusivity equation for gas flow

The m(P)-Solution Method (Exact Solution)

The Pressure-Squared Method (P2-Approximation Method)

The Pressure Method (P-Approximation Method)

3/5

1- The m(P)-Solution Method (Exact Solution)

Al-Hussainy and Ramey used finite difference techniques to obtain an exact solution
to the previous equation. The result of their studies for pressures at the wellbore
(i.e., where the logarithm approximation to the Ei function can be made) is the
following equation:
m( Pwf ) = m( Pi )

1637 qT
kh

kt

3.23
log
2
i cti rw

where pwf is the flowing pressure at the wellbore, pi is the initial reservoir pressure, q
is the flow rate in

MSCF
at standard conditions of 60F and 14.7 psia, T is the
day

reservoir temperature in R, k is in md, h is in ft, t is in hr, i is in cp and is evaluated

at the initial pressure, pi, cti is in psi-1 and is also evaluated at pi, and rw is the
wellbore radius in feet. The previous equation can be written equivalently in terms
of the dimensionless time tD as:

m( Pwf ) = m( Pi )

1637 qT 4t D

log
kh

The dimensionless time is defined previously as:

tD =

0.0002637kt
i cti r 2

The parameter is called Eulers constant and given by:

= e 0.5772 = 1.781
The solution to the diffusivity equation expresses the bottom-hole real gas
pseudopressure as a function of the transient flow time t. The solution as expressed
in terms of m(p) is recommended mathematical expression for performing gas-well
pressure analysis due to its applicability in all pressure ranges.
The procedure of determining the real gas pseudopressure, m(p), involves
determining and Z for several pressures over the pressure range of interest.
Values of

P
P
are then calculated, and a plot of
versus P is made, as
Z
Z

illustrated in the following figure.

4/5

A numerical integration scheme such as Simpson's rule is then used to determine

the value of the area from the reference pressure up to a pressure of interest, p1.
The value of m(p1) that corresponds with pressure, p1, is given by:

m(P1 ) = (area1 )
where
area1 =

P1

PR

2P
dP
Z

The radial gas diffusivity equation can be expressed in a dimensionless form in terms
of the dimensionless real gas pseudopressure drop D. The solution to the
dimensionless equation is given by:
1422qT
m( Pwf ) = m( Pi )
D
kh

The dimensionless pseudopressure drop D can be determined as a function of tD by

using an appropriate expression. When tD > 100, the D can be calculated by:

D = 0.5[ln (t D ) + 0.80907]

5/5

Example-1:
A gas well with a wellbore radius of 0.3 ft is producing at a constant flow rate of
2000 Mscf/day under transient flow conditions. The initial reservoir pressure (shut-in
pressure) is 4400 psi at 140F. The formation permeability and thickness are 65 md and
15 ft, respectively. The porosity is recorded as 15%. The properties of the gas as well are
tabulated below.

P, psia
0
400
800
1200
1600
2000
2400
2800
3200
3600
4000
4400

g, cp
0.01270
0.01286
0.01390
0.01530
0.01680
0.01840
0.02010
0.02170
0.02340
0.02500
0.02660
0.02831

z
1.000
0.937
0.882
0.832
0.794
0.770
0.763
0.775
0.797
0.827
0.860
0.896

Assuming that the initial total isothermal compressibility is 3 104 psi1,

calculate the bottom-hole flowing pressure after 1.5 hours.

6/5

Solution:

2P
for each pressure as shown below:
Step 1. Calculate the term
z
g

P, psia

g, cp

2P

z
g

0
400
800
1200
1600
2000
2400
2800
3200
3600
4000
4400

0.01270
0.01286
0.01390
0.01530
0.01680
0.01840
0.02010
0.02170
0.02340
0.02500
0.02660
0.02831

1.000
0.937
0.882
0.832
0.794
0.770
0.763
0.775
0.797
0.827
0.860
0.896

0
66391
130508
188537
239894
282326
312983
332986
343167
348247
349711
346924

2P
versus pressure as shown below.
Step 2. Plot the term
z

7/5

Step 3. Calculate numerically the area under the curve for each value of P. These
areas correspond to the real gas pseudopressure, m(P), at each pressure. The obtained
m(P) values are tabulated below and plotted versus pressure.

P, psia

g, cp

2P

z
g

0
400
800
1200
1600
2000
2400
2800
3200
3600
4000
4400

0.01270
0.01286
0.01390
0.01530
0.01680
0.01840
0.02010
0.02170
0.02340
0.02500
0.02660
0.02831

1.000
0.937
0.882
0.832
0.794
0.770
0.763
0.775
0.797
0.827
0.860
0.896

0
66391
130508
188537
239894
282326
312983
332986
343167
348247
349711
346924

m( P ) =

PR

2P
dP
z

0
1.328E+07
5.266E+07
1.165E+08
2.022E+08
3.066E+08
4.257E+08
5.549E+08
6.901E+08
8.284E+08
9.680E+08
1.107E+09

8/5

Step 4. Calculate the dimensionless time tD

tD =

0.0002637 kt
0.0002637 65 1.5
=
= 224,243
2
0.15 0.02831 3 10 4 0.32
ct r

Step 5. From the previous table, knowing m(pi) = 1.107E+09 psia2/cp, then solve for
m(pwf) using:

m( Pwf ) = m( Pi )

1637 qT 4t D

log
kh

= 1.107 109

1637 2000 (140 + 460 ) 4 224243

log e 0.5772
65 15

= 1.095 109

psia 2
cp

Step 6. From the previous table or the previous figure, interpolate using the value of
m(pwf) to give a corresponding pwf of 4365 psia.

An identical solution can be obtained by applying the D approach as shown below:

Step 1. Calculate D from:

D = 0.5[ln (t D ) + 0.80907] = 0.5[ln (224243) + 0.80907] = 6.56

Step 2. Calculate m(pwf) using:

1422 2000 (140 + 460 )
1422qT
9
m( Pwf ) = m( Pi )
6.56
D = 1.107 10
65 15

kh
psia 2
= 1.105 109
cp

Step 3. From the previous table or the previous figure, interpolate using the value of
m(pwf) to give a corresponding pwf of 4394 psia.

9/5

2- The Pressure Squared Approximation Method (p2 Method)

The first approximation to the exact solution is to remove the pressure- dependent
term (z) outside the integral that defines m(pwf) and m(pi) to give:

m( Pi ) m( Pwf ) =

Pi

PdP

Pwf

Or
m( Pi ) m( Pwf ) =

Pi 2 Pwf2

The bars over and z represent the values of the gas viscosity and deviation factor as
evaluated at the average pressure p . This average pressure is given by:

P=

Pi 2 + Pwf2
2

With this approximation, the pseudopressure equation can be written as:

Pwf2 = Pi 2

1637 qT z kt
3.23
log
2
kh

i cti rw

or

Pwf2 = Pi 2

1637 qT z 4t D

log
kh

Or, equivalently:
Pwf2 = Pi 2

1422qT z
D
kh

The above approximation solution forms indicate that the product (z) is assumed
constant at the average pressure P . This effectively limits the applicability of the p2
method to reservoir pressure < 2000 psia. It should be pointed out that when the p2
method is used to determine pwf it is perhaps sufficient to set z = i z i

10/5

Example-2:

A gas well is producing at a constant rate of 7454.2 Mscf/day under transient flow
conditions. The following data are available:
k = 50 md

h = 10 ft

= 20%

T = 600 R

rw = 0.3 ft

cti = 6.25 104 psi1

pi = 1600 psi

The gas properties are tabulated below:

p, psia
0
400
800
1200
1600

g, cp
0.01270
0.01286
0.01390
0.01530
0.01680

z
1.000
0.937
0.882
0.832
0.794

m(p), psia2/cp
0
1.32E+07
5.20E+07
1.13E+08
1.98E+08

Calculate the bottom-hole flowing pressure after 4 hours by using.

a. The m(P)-method
b. The P2-method
Solution:
a. The m(P)-method
Step 1. Calculate tD
tD =

0.0002637 kt
0.0002637 50 4
=
= 279,047
2
ct r
0.2 0.0168 6.25 10 4 0.32

Step 2. Calculate D:

D = 0.5[ln (t D ) + 0.80907] = 0.5[ln (279047 ) + 0.80907] = 6.67

Step 3. Solve for m(Pwf):
1422qT
1422 7454.2 (140 + 460 )
8
m( Pwf ) = m( Pi )
D = 1.98 10
6.67
50 10
kh

2
psia
= 1.13 108
cp

By interpolation, the corresponding value of Pwf = 1200 psi

11/5

b. The P2 method
Step 1. Calculate D:

D = 0.5[ln (t D ) + 0.80907] = 0.5[ln (279047 ) + 0.80907] = 6.67

Step 2. Calculate Pwf2 as:

1422qT z
D
kh
1422 7454.2 (140 + 460 ) 0.0168 0.794
= 1600 2
6.67
50 10
= 1.428 10 6 psi 2

Pwf2 = Pi 2

Then:
Pwf = 1,195

psi

Step 3. The absolute average error is

1200 1195
100 = 0.4%
1200

12/5

3- The Pressure Method (P-Approximation Method)

The second method of approximation to the exact solution of the radial flow of gases is to
treat the gas as a pseudoliquid. Recalling the gas formation volume factor Bg as expressed
in bbl/scf is given by:

z T

Psc

Bg =

5.615 Tsc P
Solving the above expression for p/z gives:
P T Psc 1

=
z 5.615 Tsc Bg

Recalling that the definition of the real gas pseudopressure is given as

m( P ) =

PR

2P
dP
z

Where pR is a reference pressure, therefore, the difference in the real gas pseudopressure
is given by:
m( Pi ) m( Pwf ) =

Pi

Pwf

2P
dP
z

Combining the above equation with p/z expression gives:

m( Pi ) m( Pwf ) =

2 T psc
5.615 Tsc

Pi

Pwf

1
dP
Bg

1
Fetkovich (1973) suggested that at high pressures (P > 3000),
B
g

is nearly constant

as shown schematically in the following figure.

13/5

Imposing Fetkovichs condition on the previous equation and integrating gives:

2 T Psc
(Pi Pwf )
5.615 Tsc Bg

m( Pi ) m( Pwf ) =

From the m(P) solution method (Exact solution), the difference ( m( Pi ) m( Pwf ) ) is
given as:
m( Pwf ) m( Pi ) =

1637 qT kt

3
.
23

log

kh i cti rw2

Therefore, the equation after imposing Fetkovishs condition can be written as:

162.5 103 q Bg kt

Pwf = Pi
3
.
23

log

2
kh
ct rw

Or
Pwf = Pi

162.5 103 q Bg 4t D

log
kh

In terms of dimensionless pressure drop, the previous equation can be written as:

Pwf = Pi

141.2 103 q Bg
kh

PD

It should be noted that the gas properties, i.e., , Bg, and ct, are evaluated at pressure p as
defined below:
P=

Pi + Pwf
2

Again, this method is only limited to applications above 3000 psi. When solving for Pwf,
it might be sufficient to evaluate the gas properties at Pi.

14/5

Example-3:

Resolve Example 1 by using the p-approximation method and compare with the exact
solution.

Solution:

Step 1. Calculate the dimensionless time tD.

tD =

0.0002637 kt
0.0002637 65 1.5
= 224,243
=
2
ct r
0.15 0.02831 3 10 4 0.32

Step 2. Calculate Bg at Pi.

z T

0.896 (140 + 460 )

Psc
14.7

Bg =

=
4400

5.615 Tsc P 5.615 (60 + 460 )

bbl
= 0.000615
STB

Step 3. Calculate the dimensionless pressure PD:

PD = 0.5[ln (t D ) + 0.80907] = 0.5[ln(224243) + 0.80907] = 6.56

Step 4. Approximate Pwf from:

Pwf = Pi

141.2 103 q Bg

PD
kh
141.2 103 2000 0.02831 0.000615
= 4400
6.56 = 4350
65 10

psi

The solution is identical to that of the exact solution.

15/5

5.2- Turbulent Factor

All of the mathematical formulations presented so far are based on the assumption that
laminar flow conditions are observed during flow. During radial flow, the flow velocity
increases as the wellbore is approached. This increase in the velocity might cause the
development of a turbulent flow around the wellbore. If turbulent flow does exist, it is
most likely to occur with gases and causes an additional pressure drop similar to that
caused by the skin effect. The term non-Darcy flow has been adopted by the industry to
describe the additional pressure drop due to the turbulent (non-Darcy) flow. Referring to
the additional real gas pseudopressure drop due to non-Darcy flow as non-Darcy, the
total (actual) drop is given by:

( )actual = ( )ideal + ( )skin + ( )nondarcy

Wattenburger and Ramey (1968) proposed the following expression for calculating
()non-Darcy:
T g 2
qg
2
gw h rw

( )nondarcy = 3.161 10 12

The above equation can be expressed in a more convenient form as:

( )nondarcy = Fq g2
where F is called the non-Darcy flow coefficient and is given by:
T g
F = 3.161 10 12

2
gw h rw
where
qg

= gas flow rate, Mscf/day

gw

= gas viscosity as evaluated at pwf, cp

= gas specific gravity

= thickness, ft

= non-Darcy flow coefficient, psi2/cp/(Mscf/day)2

= turbulence parameter

16/5

Jones (1987) proposed a mathematical expression for estimating the turbulence parameter
as:

= 1.88 1010 (k )1.47 ( )0.53

where
k = permeability, md
= porosity, fraction
The term Fq g2 can be included in all the compressible gas flow equations in the same way
as the skin factor. This non-Darcy term is interpreted as being a rate-dependent skin. The
modification of the gas flow equations to account for the turbulent flow condition is
given below:

5.3- Inclusion of Turbulent factor for Unsteady-State Radial Flow

The gas flow equation for an unsteady-state flow can be modified to include the
additional drop in the real gas potential as:

1637q g T kt
2

+
m(Pi ) m(Pwf ) =
log
3
.
23
0
.
87
s

+ Fq g

kh gi cti rw

The previous equation is commonly written in a more convenient form as:

1637q g T kt
3.23 + 0.87 s + 0.87 Dq g
m(Pi ) m(Pwf ) =
log

2
kh gi cti rw

where the term Dqg is interpreted as the rate dependent skin factor. The coefficient D is
called the inertial or turbulent flow factor and given by:
D=

Fkh
1422T

The true skin factor s, which reflects the formation damage or stimulation, is usually
combined with the non-Darcy rate dependent skin and labeled as the apparent or total
skin factor:
s = s + Dq g

Or

17/5


1637 q g T kt
3.23 + 0.87 s
m(Pi ) m(Pwf ) =
log

2
kh gi cti rw

The previous equation can be expressed in the pressure-squared approximation form as:

1637q g T Z kt

Pi 2 Pwf2 =
s

+
log
3
.
23
0
.
87

kh

gi cti rw
where
qg

= gas flow rate, Mscf/day

= time, hr

= permeability, md

= gas viscosity as evaluated at pi, cp

18/5

Example-4:
A gas well has an estimated wellbore damage radius of 2 feet and an estimated reduced
permeability of 30 md. The formation has permeability and porosity of 55 md and 12%.
The well is producing at a rate of 20 MMscf/day with a gas gravity of 0.6. The following
additional data are available:
rw = 0.25

h = 20

T = 140F

gw = 0.013 cp

Calculate the apparent skin factor.

Solution
Step 1. Calculate skin factor as

k
r 55 2
1 ln skin = 1 ln
s=
= 1.732
k skin rw 30 0.25
Step 2. Calculate the turbulence parameter :

= 1.88 1010 (k )1.47 ( )0.53 = 1.88 1010 (55)1.47 (0.12)0.53 = 159.904 10 6

Step 3. Calculate non-Darcy flow coefficient:

F = 3.16110

12

6
T g
12 159.904 10 600 0.6
= 3.16110

= 0.14
2
2
0.013 20 0.25
gw h rw

Step 4. Calculate the coefficient D:

D=

Fkh
0.14 55 20
=
= 1.805 10 4
1422T
1422 600

Step 5. Estimate the apparent skin factor:

s = s + Dq g = 1.732 + 1.805 10 4 20000 = 5.342

19/5

The previous equation can be written as:

1637q g T Z 1,688 gi cti rw2 s + Dq

P =P +
log
1.151
kh
kt

2
wf

For stabilized flow, the following equation is derived:

PR2 Pwf2 =

PR2 Pwf2 =

1422 T Z q sc 0.472 re
ln
kh
rw

1422 T Z 0.472 re
ln
kh
rw

+ S + D q sc

1422 T Z
+ S q sc +
D q sc2
kh

Or

PR2 Pwf2 = A q sc + B q sc2

where:
A=

1422 T Z
kh

B=

D=

0.472 re
ln
rw

+ S

1422 T Z
D
kh
5.18 10 5 g

h rw k 0.2

Therefore, parameter B can be written as:

B=

5
ZTg
1422 T Z
1422 T Z 5.18 10 g

= 0.0736 2 1.2
D=
0.2
kh
kh
h rw k
h k rw

Since:

2.33 1010
k 1.2

Therefore, parameter B can be written as:

B = 3.16 10 12

ZTg
h 2 rw

20/5

The pseudo steady state equation can be arranged and written as:

q sc = C PR2 Pwf2

where
n

0.5 for turbulence flow.

1.0 for laminar flow.

(0.5 n 1.0)

From the previous equation, if n and C are known then q for any Pwf could be
found. Absolute open flow, (AOF), is the flow rate that would occur if Pwf could
be brought to zero.

Therefore, inflow performance curve (IPR) can be constructed knowing n and C.

In another form, the previous equation could be written as:

log PR2 Pwf2 =

1
1
log(q sc ) log(C )
n
n

( )

A plot of P 2 = PR2 Pwf2 versus qsc on log-log scales results in a straight line
with a slope of

1
. Once a value of n has been determined from the plot, the value
n

of C can be calculated by using data from one of the tests that falls on the line.
That is:
C=

(P

2
R

q sc
Pwf2

21/5

5.4- FLOW-AFTER-FLOW TEST:

Test Methodology: the well is opened on a particular choke size and is not
disturbed until the flow rate qsc and Pwf stabilized. Once stabilization is reached,
qsc and Pwf are measured. Then, the rate is changed, by changing the choke size,
and the procedure repeated for several flow rates, usually four.

22/5

 Example 5:
A flow-after-flow test was performed on a well located in a low pressure reservoir
in which the permeability was high. Using the following test data,
Test qsc, MSCFD
0

Pwf, psia

( )

201 = P R

2,730

196

3,970

195

4,440

193

5,550

190

Determine:
1. The values of n and C for the deliverability equation.
2. The Absolute Open Flow (AOF).
3. The flow rate for Pwf = 160 psia.
4. Construct the Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR)

23/5

Solution:

( )

1- First, calculate P 2 = PR2 Pwf2 at each flow rate.

Test

qsc,

( ) (

Pwf, psia

MSCFD

( )

201 = P R

P 2 = PR2 Pwf2 10 3 , psia 2

40.4 = (PR2 )

2730

196

1.985

3970

195

2.376

4440

193

3.152

5550

190

4.301

( )

Then, plot P 2 versus qsc as shown in the following Figure.

100000

(Pr^2-Pwf^2), psia^2

PR2 = 40,401 psia2

10000

Slope = (log4301-log1985)/(log5550-log2730)
= 1.09

1000
1000

10000
qsc, MMscfd

AOF = 43330 MscfD

100000

From the plot it is apparent that tests 1 and 4 lie on the straight line and
thus be used to determine n.

24/5

log q1 log q 4
log P 2 1 log P 2

n=

( )

( )

log(2,730 ) log(5,550 )
= 0.92
=
log 1.985 10 3 log 4.301 10 3

Using Test 4 to calculate C (to ensure the stabilized flow):

C=

(P

2
R

q sc
Pwf2

5,550

= 2.52

(4.301 10 )

3 0.92

MSCFD
psia 1.84

Therefore, the deliverability equation is

q sc = 2.52 PR2 Pwf2

0.92

2- For Pwf = 0, q sc = 2.52(2012 0 2 )

0.92

= 43,579 MSCFD . Alternatively, A

plot such as the previous one maybe used directly to obtain the AOF and
the wells inflow performance without calculating values for C and n .
2

The AOF is determined by entering the ordinate at p R and reading the

AOF as 43.6 MMscfd.
3- For Pwf = 160, q sc = 2.52(2012 160 2 )

0.92

= 17,300 MSCFD . Alternatively,

an inflow rate at any value of Pwf2 can be obtained by entering the ordinate
at the appropriate value of P 2 = PR2 Pwf2 and reading the rate from the
abscissa.
4- To plot IPR, calculate the flow at different rates using the developed
deliverability equation as shown in the following table.

Pwf, psia
201
160
120
80
40
0

qsc, MSCFD
0
17,301
29,053
37,185
41,989
43,579

25/5

250

200

Pwf, psia

150

100

50

0
0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

45,000

qsc, MSCFD

26/5

50,000

5.5- ISOCHRONAL TEST:

The isochronal test, or equal time test, is based on the theory that at equal flow
times the same volume of reservoir is affected regardless of flow rate. The
isochronal test was proposed as a means of determining deliverability in tight
wells that requires a long period of time to reach stabilization. At least one
stabilized point is still required to evaluate the coefficient C. The procedure for
conducting an isochronal test is:
1- Starting at a shut-in condition, open the well on a particular choke size for
a period of time. Measure qsc and pwf at specific time periods for this
choke size.
2- Shut the well in until the pressure return to pR
3- Open the well on a larger choke size and measure qsc and pwf at the same
flowing time intervals as in Step 1.
4- Shut the well in until the pressure return to pR.
5- Repeat for several choke sizes, usually four.
6- On the last choke size, allow the well to flow until a stabilized condition is
reached. This may require several hours or even days, but only one rate
has to be flowed for the long period as compared to all the rates for flowafter-flow testing.

27/5

 Example 6:
An isochronal test was conducted on a well located in a reservoir that had an
average pressure of 1,952 psia. The well was flowed on four choke sizes, and the flow
rates and flowing bottom-hole pressure were measured at 3 hr and 6 hr for each choke
size. An extended test was conducted for a period of 72 hr at a rate of 6.0 MMscfd, at
which time Pwf was measured at 1,151 psia. Using the preceding data,

t = 3 hr

t = 6 hr

q sc , MSCFD

Pwf, psia

Pwf, psia

2,600

1,793

1,761

3,300

1,757

1,657

5,000

1,623

1,510

6,300

1,505

1,320

6,000

Extended flow for t = 72 hr

1,151

Find the following:

1. Stabilized deliverability equation.
2. AOF
3. Generate an inflow performance curve.

28/5

Solution:

( )

1- First, calculate P 2 = PR2 Pwf2 at each flow rate and time as follows:
t = 6 hr

t = 3 hr

qsc , MSCFD Pwf, psia PR2 Pwf2 10 3 , psia 2

Pwf, psia

(P

2
R

Pwf2 10 3 , psia 2

2600

1793

597

1761

709

3300

1757

724

1657

1064

5000

1623

1177

1510

1530

6300

1505

1545

1320

2068

1151

2485

6000

Extended flow for t = 72 hr

Plot (P 2 ) = PR2 Pwf2

following figure.

versus qsc on log-log scale as shown in the

10000000

T = 3 hr
T = 6 hr

Pr^2-Pwf^2, psia^2

Extended Point

1000000

Slope = (log4600000-log290000)/(log10000-log1000)
= 1.2

100000
1000

10000

100000

qsc, MSCFD

The slopes of both the 3 hr and 6 hr lines are apparently equal as shown in
the figure.

29/5

Using the first and the last points on the 6 hr test to calculate n gives:
log q1 log q 4
n=
log P 2 1 log P 2 4

( )

( )

log(2,600 ) log(6,300 )
= 0.83
log 709 10 3 log 2,068 10 3

Using the extended flow test to calculate C:

C=

(P

q sc

2
R

2
wf

6,000

(2,485 10 )

3 0.83

= 0.0295

MSCFD
psia 1.66

Therefore, the deliverability equation for qsc in Mscfd is:

q sc = 0.0295 PR2 Pwf2

2- To calculate AOF, set Pwf = 0:

(
= 0.0295(1952

q sc = 0.0295 PR2 Pwf2

2

0.83

02

0.83

= 8,551 MSCFD

3- In order to generate an inflow performance curve, pick several values of

Pwf and calculate the corresponding qsc.

Pwf, psia

qsc, MSCFD

1,952

1,800

1,768

1,400

4,695

1,000

6,642

600

7,875

200

8,476

8551

The inflow performance relationship curve (IPR) is plotted in the

following figure.

30/5

2500

2000

Pwf, psia

1500

1000

500

0
0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

qsc, MSCFD

31/5

5.6- MODIFIED ISOCHRONAL TESTING:

The test was introduced so that even less flowing time is required for the well test.
The procedure is very similar to the isochronal test, except that the shut-in period
between each flow rate is not long enough to allow the well to return to the initial
average reservoir pressure. In the modified method the well is shut-in for the
same length of time that it was allowed to flow for each choke size. During this
time the static well pressure will rebuild to some value, Pws, which will be lower
after each flow period. An extended flow period is still required to evaluate the

( ) (

2
2
flow coefficient, C. A plot of P 2 = Pwsi
versus qsc to obtain a value for
Pwfi

n as shown in the following figure.

The value of C is calculated using the initial static or average reservoir pressure
and the extended test values for Pws and qsc.

32/5

The following figure illustrates a plot of typical modified isochronal test data.

33/5

 Example 7:
Using the following data, calculate the AOF and generate the IPR curve.

The

figure shows the history of the test data.

725

700

Flow Rate = 1.52 MMSCFD

675

Flow Rate = 2.041 MMSCFD

Flow Rate = 2.688 MMSCFD

650

Flow Rate = 3.122 MMSCFD

Pwf, psia

625

Extended Flow = 2.665 MMSCFD

600

575

550

525

500

Pwf, psia

Time, hours
q = 1.52 MMSCD

q = 2.041 MMSCFD

q = 2.688 MMSCFD

q = 3.122 MMSCFD

706.6

706.6

703.5

701.2

0.5

655.6

624.5

578.5

541.7

1.0

653.6

620.7

573.9

537.8

1.5

652.1

619.9

572.3

536.3

2.0

651.3

619.1

570.8

534.7

Extended Flow Point

Pwf = 567.7 psia

t = 24 hours

P =706.6 psia

q = 2.665 MMSCFD

34/5

Solution:

( )

2
1- First, calculate P 2 = Pwsi2 Pwfi
at each flow rate and time as
follows:

( )

2
P 2 = Pwsi2 Pwfi
time, hr
0
0
0
0
0.5
69472.2 109283.3 160250
1
72090.6 114015.1 165551
1.5
74049.15 115007.6 167385
2
75091.87 115998.8 169099.6
q
1.52
2.041
2.688
(MMSCFD)

0
198242.6
202452.6
204063.8
205777.4
3.122

( )

2
Plot P 2 = Pwsi2 Pwfi
versus qsc on log-log scale as shown in the
following figure.

1000000

T = 0.5 hr
T = 1.0 hr
T = 1.5 hr
T = 2.0 hr

DEL P ^2

Extended Flow Point

100000

10000
1

10
q, MMSCFD

35/5

The slopes of the extended data point can be calculated as shown in the
following figure.

Using the two points of the extended line to calculate n gives:

log 2.665 log 1
n=
= 0.71
log 177000.3 log 45000

Using the extended flow test to calculate C:

C=

(P

2
R

q sc
Pwf2

2.665

(177000.3)

0.71

= 0.0005

MMSCFD
psia 1.42

Therefore, the deliverability equation for qsc in MMscfd is:

q sc = 0.0005 PR2 Pwf2

0.71

2- To calculate AOF, set Pwf = 0:

(
)
= 0.0005(706.6 0 )

q sc = 0.0005 PR2 Pwf2

2

0.71

2 0.71

= 5.55 MMSCFD

3- In order to generate an inflow performance curve, pick several values of

Pwf and calculate the corresponding qsc.
36/5

Pwf, psia
707
650
600
450
350
200
100
0

qsc, MMSCFD
0.00
1.47
2.24
3.84
4.55
5.24
5.48
5.56

The inflow performance relationship curve (IPR) is shown in the

following figure.
800

700

600

Pwf, psia

500

400

300

200

100

0
0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

Flow Rate, MMSCFD

37/5

5.7- JONES, BLOUNT AND GLAZE METHOD:

The analysis procedure of this method allows determination of turbulence or nonDarcy effects on completion efficiency irrespective of skin effect and laminar
flow. The procedure also evaluates the laminar flow coefficient A, and if the
product (kgh) is known, an estimate of skin effect can be made. The data required
are either two or more stabilized flow tests or two or more isochronal tests. At
least one stabilized flow test is required to obtain a stabilized value of the laminar
coefficient A. They suggested a method to estimate the improvement in inflow
performance which would result from reperforating a well to lengthen the
completion interval and presented guidelines to determine if the turbulence effects
were excessive. As shown previously, the solution of diffusivity equation for
pseudo-steady-state can be written as:

(P

2
R

Pwf2
q sc

) = A + Bq

sc

where A and B are the laminar and turbulence coefficients respectively. From the
previous equation, a plot of

(P

2
R

Pwf2
q sc

) versus q

sc

on Cartesian coordinates will

yield a straight line that has a slope of B and an intercept of A equals

( )

P2
as qsc
q sc

approaches zero. To measure the importance of the turbulence contribution to the

total drawdown, a comparison of the value of the A calculated at AOF of the well
(A) to the stabilized value of A is made. From the previous equation, the AOF
can be written as:

A + A 2 + 4 B PR2
AOF =
2B

0.5

38/5

The value of the A calculated at AOF of the well (A) can be calculated as follows
as indicated in the following figure:
A = A + B AOF

(P )

e=
Slop

qsc

A = A + B AOF

AOF

qsc

If the ratio of A to A was greater than 2 or 3, then it is likely that some restriction
in the completion exists. They also suggested that the formation thickness h used
in the definition of B could be replaced by the length of the completed zone hp,
since most of the turbulent pressure drop occurs very near the wellbore. The
effect of changing completion zone length on B and therefore on inflow
performance can be estimated from:
h
B2 = B1 p1
h
p2

where:
B2

Turbulence multiplier after recompletion.

B1

Turbulence multiplier before completion.

hp2

New completion length.

hp1

Old completion length.

39/5

 Example 8:
A four point test was conducted on a gas well that had a perforated zone of 20 ft.
Static reservoir pressure is 5250 psia. Using the Jones, et al., method, determines:
1. Parameters A and B
2. AOF
3. Ratio of A/A
4. New AOF if the perforated interval is increased to 30 ft.

Test Data
Test No. qsc, MSCFD Pwf, psia
1

9,300

5,130

6,000

5,190

5,200

5,203

3,300

5,225

40/5

Solution:

( )

PR2 Pwf2
P2
1- First, calculate
=
q sc
q sc
follows:
Test No.

at each flow rate and time as

( )

PR2 Pwf2
P2
qsc, MSCFD
=
,
q sc
q sc

9300

133.9

6000

104.4

5200

94.5

3300

79.4

psia 2
MSCFD

( )

PR2 Pwf2
P2
versus qsc on Cartesian coordinates.
Plot
=
q sc
q sc

160

140

(PR^2-Pwf^2)/qsc, psia^2/Mscfd

120

y = 0.0092x + 48.398
R2 = 0.9975

100

80

60

Slope = (133.9-49)/(9300-0) =
= 0.00923 psi^2/Mscfd^2
A = 48 psia^2/Mscfd

40

20

0
0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

qsc, MSCFD

41/5

From the figure it is found that:

A = 48 psia 2 Mscfd
B = 9.24 10 3 psia 2 Mscfd 2
2- The AOF is calculated as:

A + A 2 + 4 B PR2
AOF =
2B

0.5

(
(

)
)

48 + 48 2 + 4 9.24 10 3 (5,250 )
=
2 9.24 10 3

2 0.5

= 52,080 MSCFD

3- Ratio of A/A, first calculate A':

A = A + B AOF

= 48 + 9.24 10 3 (52,080 ) = 529

Therefore,
A 529
=
= 11
A
48

4- New AOF if the perforated interval is increased to 30 ft. First calculate the
new B.
h p1
B2 = B1
h
p2

20
= 9.24 10 3 = 4.1 10 3
30
Therefore, the new AOF is:

AOF =

A + A 2 + 4 B PR2
2B

(
(

0.5

)
)

48 + 48 2 + 4 4.1 10 3 (5,250 )
=
2 4.1 10 3

2 0.5

= 76,346 MSCFD

42/5

5.8- LAMINAR INERTIA TURBULENCE (LIT) ANALYSIS

All of the previous methods require at least one test conducted for a period long
enough to reach stabilization. The following equation can be used to calculate the
approximate time to stabilization:
950 C re2 380 C A
=
ts =
k
k

Brar and Aziz method obtained a deliverability equation without stabilization

time. The pseudosteady state equation for gas flow is:

( )

P 2 = PR2 Pwf2 = A q sc + B q sc2

For pseudosteady steady, the previous equation can be written as:

PR2 Pwf2 =

1422 T Z
kh

0.472 re
ln
rw

1422 T Z
+ S q sc +
D q sc2
kh

Or
0.472re
P 2 = 2m log
rw

( )

S
2
+
q sc + 0.869 m D q sc
2
.
303

where:

m=

1637T Z
kh

43/5

For unsteady state flow:

Pi 2 Pwf2 =

1637 q sc T Z
kh

k
log t + log
2

C rw

3.23 + 0.869 S

Or
Pi 2 Pwf2 =

1637 q sc T Z
kh

kt
log
2
C rw

3.23 + 0.869 S

Since
S = S + D q sc
Transient flow equation can be written as:
Pi 2 Pwf2 =

1637 q sc T Z k t
log
2
kh
C rw

1637 T Z
3.23 + 0.869 S + 0.869
D q sc2
kh

Or

(P ) = mlog
2

kt
2
C rw

3.23 + 0.869 S q sc + 0.869 m D q sc2

where

m=

1637 T Z
kh

Therefore, for pseudosteady state equation the flow equation is:

(P

2
R

Pwf2 =

2.303 1422 T Z 0.472 re

log
kh
rw

1422 T Z
S
+
D q sc2
q sc +
k
h
2
.
303

and for unsteady state equation (transient) the flow equation is:
Pi 2 Pwf2 =

1637 T Z
kh

kt
log
2
C rw

1637 T Z
3.23 + 0.869 S q sc + 0.869
D q sc2
kh

44/5

Comparing these equations implies that:

0.472 re
A = 2m log
rw
kt
At = m log
2
C rw

S
+

2.303

3.23 + 0.869 S

and
B = 0.869 m D

The definition of A (for transient flow regime) varies with time and will be written
as At. For unsteady state (transient) flow the gas equation can be written for
plotting purposes as:

(P ) = A + B q
2

q sc

(P )

sc

A plot of

q sc

versus qsc on Cartesian coordinates will result in a series of

(P )
2

straight parallel lines having a slope equal to B and intercepts At equal to

q sc

for each flow time. The parameter At can be written as:

k
At = m log(t ) + m log
2
C rw

3.23 + 0.869 S

Therefore a plot of At versus t on the semi-log scales will result in a straight line
having a slope equal to m and an intercept at t = 1, hr (log 1 = 0), equal to At1
where At1 equals:

k
At1 = m log
2
C rw

3.23 + 0.869 S

45/5

Procedure for analyzing an Isochronal test:

1- Determine At and B from the transient tests for several flow times using plots
of the following equation:

(P ) = mlog
2

kt
2
C rw

3.23 + 0.869 S q sc + 0.869 m D q sc2

or using the least squares method find At and B as:

At =

(P )

i =1

i =1

i =1

q 2 P 2

i =1

i =1

i =1

) q
N

i =1

B=

N q 2 q q

N P 2
i =1

(P )

i =1
N

q
i =1

N q 2 q q
i =1

i =1

i =1

where N represent the number of transient flow data points available.

2- Plot At versus t on semi-log scales to determine m and At1.
3- Using the value of m, calculate the k from:
k=

1637 T Z
mh

4- Knowing At1, solve the following equation for S:

k
At1 = m log
2
C rw

3.23 + 0.869 S

5- Calculate a stabilized value for A using the following equation:

0.472 re
A = 2m log
rw

S
+

2.303

6- Using the value of B from step 1, calculate D from

D=

B
0.869 m

7- Calculate the stabilized well performance, using the stabilized values of A and
B:

PR2 Pwf2
q sc

= A + B q sc

46/5

 Example 8:
A modified isochronal test was conducted using four different flow rates, and the
flowing bottom-hole pressure was measured at periods of 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours. The
test data are tabulated below and shown in the provided figure..
h

= 12 ft

PR

= 922.6 psia

rw

= 0.23 ft

= 0.0116 cp

= 0.23

= 0.972

= 582 R

= 0.00109 psia-1

re

= 2,000 ft

Pws, psia
922.6
t, hr

921.9

919.9

917.6

Pwf, psia
qsc = 474.6 MSCFD qsc = 879.7 MSCFD qsc = 1,271.6 MSCFD qsc = 1,658.9 MSCFD

1.0

900.1

863.0

798.9

676.3

2.0

897.1

853.9

769.9

662.2

4.0

892.2

833.0

754.9

642.0

6.0

890.1

827.9

732.8

635.2

8.0

888.1

825.1

727.3

629.3

Use the test data to determine k, S, D and the stabilized deliverability equation.
950

900

850

P, psia (Pws/Pwf)

800

750

700
Test 1

Test 2

Test 3

Test 4

650

600

550

500
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Time, hr

47/5

Solution:
1. First, construct the following table to calculate the value for At and B.

qsc,
MSCFD

Time, hr
1

q sc2 ,
2

MSCFD

(P ) ,
2

(P ) ,
2

225,245
773,872
1,616,966
2,751,949
5,368,033

(P ) ,
2

q sc

psia2
1
474.6
2
879.7
3 1,271.6
4 1,658.9
4,284.8
At =
Bt =

Time, hr
2

psia2

psia 2
MSCFD

41,010
86
105,130
119
207,974
163
384,608
231
738,724
601
20.11
0.12156

Time, hr
4

(P ) ,
2

(P ) ,
2

q sc

psia2

psia 2
MSCFD

46,402
97
120,754
137
253,470
199
403,480
243
824,107
677
34.12
0.12629

(P ) ,
2

q sc
psia 2
MSCFD

55,169
116
156,010
177
276,342
217
429,825
259
917,348
770
65.15
0.11889

Time, hr
6

(P ) ,
2

psia2

Time, hr
8

(P ) ,
2

(P ) ,
2

q sc
psia 2
MSCFD

58,912
124
164,481
187
309,220
243
438,510
264
971,124
818
74.95
0.12108

psia2

calculated (Gray shaded area). For qsc = 474.6 MSCFD and for the first
hour (t = 2 hr),

( )

psia 2

( )

P2
46,402.4
psia 2
=
= 97.8
=
q
Mscfd
474.6
Therefore,

At =

(P )

i =1

i =1

i =1

i =1

i =1

N q 2 q q
i =1

= 34.11

q 2 P 2

) q
N

i =1

q sc
psia 2
MSCFD

62469
131
169109
192
317250
249
445971
268
994800
842
83.00
0.11907

To further illustrate the procedure, some of the entries for t = 2 hr are

P 2 = Pws2 Pwf2 = (922.6 ) (897.1) = 46,402.4

(P ) ,

677.59 5,368,033.0 824,107.67 4,284.8

4 5,368,033.0 4,284.8 4,284.8

psia
MSCFD

48/5

B=

N P
2

i =1

(P )
2

i =1
N

N q 2 q q
i =1

= 0.12629

i =1

q
i =1

4 824,107.67 677.59 4,284.8

4 5,368,033.0 4,284.8 4,284.8

i =1

psia
MSCFD 2

2. The values calculated for At are plotted versus t on semi-log paper in the
following Figure.
140

120

At, psi^2/MSCFD

100

80

60

Slppe = m = (88.2-28.5)/(log10-log1)
= 58.7 psi^2/MSCFD/Cycle
40

At @ 1-hr = 29.5
20
1

10

100

Time, Hr

psia 2
The slope of the line is m = 58.7 MSCFD obtained by drawing a straight
cycle

line through the last three points. The intercept at t = 1 hr can be read from
the graph as At1 = 29.5

psia 2
.
MSCFD

49/5

3. solve for permeability, k, as:

k=

1637 T Z 1637(528)(0.0116 )(0.972 )

=
= 13.8
(58.7 )(12)
mh

4. Solving for S using the value of At1:

k
1 At1
3
.
23
log
+
S =

Crw2
0.869 m

29.5

13.8
+ 3.23
= 1.151
log
2
0.23 0.0116 0.00109 (0.23)
58.7

= 4.86

5. Calculate a stabilized value for A as

0.472 re
S
+
A = 2m log

rw 2.303
0.472 2,000 ( 4.86 )
= 2 58.7 log
+

0.23
2.303

psia 2
MSCFD

= 176.4

6. Using the value of B from step 1, calculate D from (The value chosen for
psia 2
at time t = 8 hr to minimize the effect of
B is 0.11907
MSCFD 2
opening the well on the readings )
B
0.11907
=
0.869 m 0.869 58.7
= 0.00233 MSCFD 1

D=

50/5

7. Calculate the stabilized well performance, using the stabilized values of A

and B for p in psia and q sc in Mscfd:

PR2 Pwf2
q sc

= A + B q sc = 176.4 + 0.11907 q sc

Or
2

P R Pwf2 = 176.4q sc + 0.11907q sc2

The previous equation can be written for determining inflow performance as:
q sc =
=

A + A 2 + 4 B P R Pwf2

0.5

2B

176.4 + 31,116.96 + 0.47628 PR2 Pwf2

))

0 .5

0.23814

The AOF for this well can be calculated using Pwf = 0 as:

176.4 + 31,116.96 + 0.47628 (922.6 )

AOF =
0.23814
= 2033 MSCFD

2 0.5

Using the previous equation, the IPR curve can be constructed. The following
table and figure summarize
2500

this step.

2000

qsc, MSCFD
0.00
782.85
1,624.77
1,893.46
2,018.02
2,033.19

1500
Pwf, psia

Pwf, psia
922.6
800
500
300
100
0

1000

500

0
0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

qsc, MSCFD

51/5

900

1000