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For most completion and intervention activities, fracture pressure will have been
determined during the drilling of the well by performing a leak-off test (LOT).
1.1.5.1 Formation leak-off tests
A formation LOT is performed to confirm the integrity of the cement bond, and the formation
directly below the casing seat. Normally, the zone directly beneath the casing seat is assumed to
be the weakest point during the drilling of the next hole section. Since it is the shallowest part of
the next section of formation to be drilled, it will have the lowest overburden pressure.
LOTs are normally carried out at each casing point. After setting, cementing, and testing the new
casing string, the shoe track and casing shoe are drilled out, and a few feet of new formation
drilled. Normally, this is about 15 ft, to ensure enough formation is exposed. A formation LOT is
then performed. A routine formation LOT is typically performed as follows:
 Check pressure gauges are working and have been recently calibrated.
 Condition (circulate) the mud to ensure weight is consistent throughout the system and confirm
mud density.
 Ensure the bit is back inside the casing shoe, then close the well (close the BOP
annular preventer or pipe rams).
 Start to slowly increase pressure by pumping a small volume at a steady rate (¼–½ bbl/min).
Measure and record the pressure increase against volume pumped.
 Note: Slightly different techniques are used by some operators. Some will increase pressure
incrementally, stopping between increments. Others do not like to pump into a closed system,
and will circulate whilst increasing back pressure by gradually closing the choke.
 As the formation fractures, mud will start to leak into the formation, and the rate of pressure
increase will fall off. Pump rate should be reduced.
 When no further increase in pressure is observed, or pressure begins to fall off, stop pumping.
 Bleed off and measure the volume of mud returned—record the volume lost to the formation.

As pressure is increased during a LOT, three pressure stages are normally evident, and it is the
operator’s decision as to which one will be taken as the pressure on which to base subsequent
formation integrity calculations (Fig. 1.10).
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Figure 1.10 . LOT plot—Surface pressure vs volume pumped.

1.

Leak-Off Pressure—The pressure at which the fracture begins to open and fluid starts to leak off into the

formation. This will be seen as a change in the slope of the plot. At this point, the pump rate should be

reduced.

2.

Rupture Pressure—This is the maximum pressure the formation can sustain before irreversible fracture

occurs. This will be determined by a sharp drop in the pressure being applied—pumping should be halted.

3.

If no more pressure is applied at this point, most formations will recover to a certain degree, and the

Propagation Pressure is determined when the pressure becomes stable again.

A major disadvantage of a LOT is that fracturing the formation can weaken it, reducing fracture
pressure to below the undisturbed value. Propagation (recovery pressure) is normally lower than
the original fracture pressure, so the integrity of the formation during the drilling of the next hole
section is compromised to some degree.
During a LOT, there are two forces acting on the formation. Firstly, there is the hydrostatic
pressure from the column of mud, secondly, applied pressure at the surface.
Fracture pressure is:
 Mud hydrostatic pressure at the casing shoe + applied surface pressure.
 To calculate the fracture pressure as an equivalent mud weight:
(1.2) Fracture pressure EMW=(P.surface/TVD/0.052)+Mud weight
Note: Always round down to one decimal place when calculating LOT equivalent mud weight,
i.e., 15.69 becomes 15.6 ppg.
When calculating kill fluid weight, always round up to one decimal place, i.e., 15.12 becomes
15.2  ppg.
1.1.5.2 Formation integrity tests
LOTs are generally restricted to exploration wells, or wells in a development area where there is
uncertainty about fracture gradient and formation pressure. Where reliable offset data is
available, deliberately fracturing the formation during drilling is normally avoided. The
formation is pressure tested, but at below the anticipated fracture pressure. This type of test is
called a “Formation Integrity Test” (FIT). The advantage of the FIT is that there is no
compromise of the formation fracture pressure.
LOTs and Formation Integrity Tests can only be successfully carried out with drilling mud in the
well. Solids in drilling mud allow a filter cake to build up on the bore-hole wall, limiting fluid
loss into the formation. With correctly formulated mud in the hole, fluid loss can only be induced
if the formation is fractured. If solid-free fluids are in the well (i.e., completion brines), fluid will
leak off at above pore pressure, but below fracture pressure. Losses can be controlled using lost
circulation material, such as calcium carbonate (CaCO3) or sized salt.