Petroleum Engineering 324

Well Testing
Credit 3: (3-0)
Required for Juniors

Catalog Description: Analysis of well performance under varied reservoir conditions including evaluation of
unsteady, pseudo-steady and steady state flow; well testing methods used to determine well and reservoir
parameters; applications to conventional and unconventional wells producing gas and/or liquids; and, the
fundamentals for preparing and operating well test equipment to monitor, measure, and gather samples for
evaluating well performance.

Prerequisites(s): PETE 301; 310; 311; GEOL 404

Instructor Information:
Name: Dr. Mike King
Email Address: mike.king@tamu.edu
Office Hours: T/Th 4:00-5:00
Office Location: RICH 401E
Textbook Required:
Lee, J., Rollins, J.B., Spivey, J.P.: Pressure Transient Testing, SPE Textbook Series Vol. 9, (2003)
(Either physical or electronic edition, best obtained directly from SPE)
Additional Textbooks (Optional):
Lee, J.: Well Testing, SPE Textbook Series Vol. 1 (1982). (Excellent resource, but out of print)
Spivey, J.P. and Lee, W.J.: Applied Welltest Interpretation, SPE Textbook Series Vol. 13 (2013)
Bourdet, D.: Well Test Analysis: The Use of Advanced Interpretation Models, Elsevier (2002).
Earlougher, R.C., Jr: Advances in Well Test Analysis, Monograph Vol. 5, SPE (1977).
Horne, R.N.: Modern Well Test Analysis: A Computer-Aided Approach, Petroway (1995).
Dake, L. P.: The Practice of Reservoir Engineering, Elsevier (2001).
Kamal, M.M.: Transient Well Testing, SPE Monograph Series Vol. 23 (2009).
Fundamentals of Formation Testing, Schlumberger (2006).

Topics Covered:
1. Well testing objectives and basic tools
2. Fundamentals of Flow in Porous Media
a. Material balance, equation of state and Darcy’s Law
b. Development of the diffusivity equation: Liquid and gas systems
3. Solutions/models for Well Test Analysis
a. Dimensionless variables
b. Steady-state, pseudo steady-state, and transient flow in radial and other geometries
c. Superposition in space
d. Adding near wellbore and wellbore phenomena
4. Well Test Analysis
a. Variable-rate convolution: pressure buildup
1
 b. Conventional analysis of pressure drawdown/buildup data
c. Analysis of gas well tests
d. Unfractured and fractured wells
e. Dual porosity reservoirs
5. Design of well tests; software for the analysis of well test data
6. Rate transient testing and production analysis
7. Preparing and operating well test equipment
Class/Laboratory Schedule: 150-min (total) lecture per week
Contributions to Meeting the Curriculum Requirements of Criterion 5:

Uses calculus and differential equations, use of graphics (hand and computer) for
Math and Science
problem solving.
This course provides a complete cycle for modeling flow in porous media from concept
to mathematical model to pressure time solution to well test design. The review, analysis,
interpretation, and integration of reservoir performance data are employed systematically
to assess the properties of the reservoir system. Inverse modeling is used (via a match of
Engineering the data to a model) as a mechanism to estimate reservoir properties from well test and
production data responses. Specifically, the student will master graphical techniques to
estimate reservoir properties from well test and production data responses. The condition
of the well and the well completion are also addressed, and the state of damage or
stimulation is assessed.
General Education None

Course Learning Outcomes and Relationship to Program Outcomes:

Program
At the end of the course, students will be able to…
Outcome No.
Describe the terminology and the commonly-applied methods for quantifying and predicting
well performance, specifically skin, horizontal and vertical permeability, and fracture area and 1, 5, 11,12
permeability.
Develop the ability to use diagnostic plots to identify flow regimes and well drainage patterns 2, 11,12
Apply pressure transient well test analysis to the determination of well and reservoir properties,
2, 11,12
i.e., skin, permeability, distance to barriers
Apply rate transient well test analysis to the determination of well and reservoir properties,
2, 11,12
i.e., skin, permeability, reservoir volume

Related Program Outcomes:

No. PETE graduates must have…
1 An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
2 An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
5 An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering
11
practice.
An ability to deal with the high level of uncertainty in definition and solution of petroleum reservoir
12
problems.
Prepared by: P. Valkó, September 13, 2013. Approved by UGCC, September 19, 2013.
Method of Evaluation:

2
 Homework Problems 30%
Examinations (2@25%) 50%
Quizzes & Class Participation 20%
Total 100%
Grading Scale:
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = <60
Examination Schedule:
2 in-class quarter-term exams @25%: Dates to be specified
Final exam (@50%) follows the campus schedule: Tuesday May 5, 2020
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. RICH 101
Honors Section:
During the semester there will be a number of extra credit readings and assignments for the class. Honors students
are expected to submit all of these assignments. All other students may choose to submit these assignments for
extra credit.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy Statement
Texas A&M University is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. If
you experience barriers to your education due to a disability or think you may have a disability, please contact
Disability Resources in the Student Services Building or at (979) 845-1637 or visit http://disability.tamu.edu.
Disabilities may include, but are not limited to attentional, learning, mental health, sensory, physical, or chronic
health conditions. All students are encouraged to discuss their disability related needs with Disability Resources
and their instructors as soon as possible.
Academic Integrity Statement and Policy
“An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do.” For additional information, please visit:
http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu.
Attendance & Make-up Policy
“If an absence is excused, the instructor will either provide the student an opportunity to make up any quiz, exam
or other work that contributes to the final grade or provide a satisfactory alternative by a date agreed upon by the
student and instructor. The student is responsible for providing satisfactory evidence to the instructor to
substantiate the reason for the absence. Among the reasons absences are considered excused by the university are
the following (see Student Rule 7 for details http://studentrules.tamu.edu/rule07). The fact that these are
university-excused absences does not relieve the student of responsibility for prior notification and
documentation. Failure to notify and/or document properly may result in an unexcused absence. Falsification of
documentation is a violation of the Honor Code.”
Additional Information: Michael J. King, January 1, 2020.