Definition

A well test, in its simplest, consists of disturbing the reservoir by producing from or injection into a
well at a controlled flow rate for a period and measuring the pressure response at the production or
injection well, or at some nearby observation well. The pressure response, which depends on the
rock and fluid properties beyond the wellbore, is then used to describe the unknown reservoir
system.

Build up and draw down sequence

because it is often difficult to maintain a constant production rate during a drawdown test and
because the mathematics involved are easy to interpret, we normally allow a well to produce for a
period of time, then shut in (production goes to zero) and observe the buildup in pressure at the
wellbore. this constitutes a pressure buildup test, which is the most common type of well test.

injectivity and falloff tests

rather than cause a well to be produced at a constant rates as we do for a drawdown test, we may
inject fluid into it at a constant rate. this is especially applicable for wells that are used for fluid
injection. thes test is referred to as an injectivity test. the pressure profile for this test is the mirror
image of what occurs during a drawdown test, provided that the only change is in the direction of
flow-from out to in. in a manner parallel to the buildup test, we may stop injection into the well after
a period of time and measure the pressure falloff with time. again, we will have a series of pressure
profiles that will constitute mirror images to the drawdown-buildup sequence. analysis of results
follows procedure similar to drawdown-buildup testing.
Multiple-rate tests

It is often difficult or impractical to maintain a constant flow rate long enough to complete a
drawdown test. One alternative is the buildup test; a secondi is the multiple, or variable, rate test. a
multiple-rate test may consist of :

 an uncontrolled variable rate;

 a series of constant flow rates;
 testing at a constant bottom hole pressure and with a varying flow rate.
Interference tests

an interference test is one in which we measure the change in pressure that occurs in an offsetting,
shut-in observation well. this change in pressure is caused by changes in flow rates at one or more
active wells. by measuring the response in the observation well to changes in flow rates at the
various active wells, it is possible to develop an understanding of the reservoir properties that exist
between the wells. it is also possible to run a vertical interference test between to isolated zones in a
single wellbore, thereby defining the degree of pressure communication vertically in the reservoir
near the wellbore.
Pulse tests

A pulse test is a special form of interference test. it is conducted by allowing the flow rate at the
active well to change serval times in the form of a series of alternate flow and shut in periods rather
than producing the well at a single constant rate. ( a pulse can also be generated by injecting into
rather than producing from the active well). this test relies on the fact that it is possible to measure
accurately small pressure changes in the observation well.