PREFACE

During the last two decades, well test analysis techniques have changed significantly.
With the introduction of high accuracy pressure measurements and powerful computers,
information that is more accurate and useful is extracted from well tests. The new
interpretation methods, using the derivative of the pressure, magnify the characteristic
features of the many different types of wells and reservoirs, including groundwater
hydrogeology systems. Due to the improved diagnosis of well test data, the number of
theoretical solutions available to the interpretation engineer is expanding all the time.
Today well test interpretation computer programs offer a wide range of complex well
and reservoir configurations for the analysis of pressure transient test responses.

This book covers all aspects of well test analysis for the today's engineer who has
access to powerful computers. The most recent advanced interpretation models are
presented in detail and their application to field measurements is documented. Practical
analyses of well test data is thoroughly discussed. Should the recorded test data deviate
from the theory due to operational conditions, guidelines are established for proper
analysis. The basic well test analysis technique and the associated theory have been
abundantly discussed in the literature and they are simply summarized here. Focus is
placed on computerized interpretation of complex systems. With this book, well test
interpretation engineers will not only find answers to the different questions
encountered in the course of analysis, but also gain a better understanding of the
physical process involved, and the meaning and limitations of the results.

The interpretation methodology is briefly presented in the two first Chapters. In Chapter
1, the different types of tests are described, several typical well pressure responses are
documented, and the usual well test analysis terminology is introduced. Chapter 2
presents the various interpretation techniques, and defines the limitations of the
different methods.

In Chapters 3 to 5, the basic interpretation models are reviewed for well, reservoir and
boundary conditions. The analysis of interference tests is described in Chapter 6. The
interpretation methods and models are presented from Chapter 1 to 6 for a single-phase
liquid flow (oil or water), tests in gas and multiphase reservoirs are discussed in
Chapters 7 and 8. In Chapter 9, the analysis of different type of tests, such as drill stem
tests, single well vertical interference tests, is explained. Several factors complicating
well test analysis are discussed in the conclusion Chapter 10, together with a summary
of the test interpretation methodology.
vi

All figures and equations are presented in the usual oil field system of units, which is
still currently used in the industry despite numerous attempts to have a metric system
accepted. In the Appendix, the equations are presented with the practical metric system.

Several field examples presented in this book have been published in technical articles.
The test data and interpretation analysis results are available in the website
http://www, else vier. c om/lo c ate/we 1lte st.

A lot of the material presented in this book is based on discussions with many well test
interpretation specialists during the last 25 years. In particular, I want to thank Alain
Gringarten for the many comments and his encouragement during the preparation of
this work, and Piers Johnson for the complete revision of the book.

Two interpretation software packages have been used for the preparation of the Figures:
PIE of WTS and SAPHIR of KAPPA Engineering.

Paris, December 2001

Dominique Bourdet has worked over 25 years with Oil and Gas Industry. He is the
author of several publications on different aspects of well test analysis. His main
research interest is in the analysis of fissured reservoirs. He developed the pressure
derivative analysis method that became a standard in the Industry. He has been involved
in the research of new well test analysis techniques, in the technical support to field
operations, and in the development of well test interpretation software packages. He is
an Independent Consultant, specializing in the design, supervision, and interpretation of
well tests in unconventional systems. During the last twenty years, he has continuously
taught well test interpretation in the Industry and in Universities.