Well Test Manual 1

Section 10

Conducting the Well Test

Table of Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………………………… 10 - 2
Objectives……………………………………………………………………….. 10 - 2
Conducting Safe Operations…………………………………………………… 10 - 3
Restricted Zone Safety Standards…………………………………………… 10 - 4
Operating Procedures…………………………………………………………. 10 - 6
Preparation………………………………………………………………………. 10 - 7
Well Clean Up…………………………………………………………………… 10 - 7
Checks before flowing into the Separator…………………………………….. 10 - 8
Flowing into the Separator for First Time……………………………………... 10 - 9
Procedures for shutting in the Well……………………………………………. 10 - 10
Measurements Taken…………………………………………………………… 10 - 12
Field Readings…………………………………………………………………… 10 - 13
How to take a BS&W……………………………………………………………. 10 - 17
H2S and CO2 Sampling………………………………………………………. 10 - 18
How to measure Water Salinity………………………………………………. 10 - 19
How to do a Shrinkage………………………………………………………… 10 - 20
How to do an Oil Gravity………………………………………………………. 10 - 21
How to find a Ph Value…………………………………………………………. 10 - 22
How to carry out a Gas Gravity………………………………………………… 10 - 22
Well Test Manual 1

Introduction
The section contains information on the basics of conducting a Well Test.

Objectives
After completing this section, you should be able to

• Introduction to preparation and Flowing the Well

• Know the main Measurements to be taken
• Know how to do Salinities, Gas Gravities, Oil Gravities, Ph, BS&W and
Shrinkage.

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Conducting Safe Operations

An integral and foremost part of testing procedures is the specialist's duty, and
responsibility to conduct these operations under safe conditions. Under no
circumstances, including demands of the client's representative, is our specialist to
allow flowing operations to be initiated or continued, if, in his judgment, there is any
doubt that it can be carried out safely. Some possible unsafe conditions, which are
by no means a complete list, are mentioned below.
1. Any component of the flow system between the wellhead and the heater
choke having a rated working pressure below the maximum possible wellhead
shut-in pressure.
2. Any leak in the complete flow system found during initial static pressure
testing with water, or developing later during the flowing operations.
3. Insufficient heater capacity resulting in hydrating at the choke or at the back
pressure valve.
4. Malfunction, freezing, or seizing up of a back pressure valve.
5. Insufficient venting capacity of storage or metering tanks.
6. Separator burst disc stamped rating of more than 1.05 the equipment's rated
working pressure.
7. Separator's safety relief valve setting at pressure above the equipment rated
pressure.
8. Plugging from hydrates, waxes, or solid in any part of the flow system.
9. Danger of or noticeable erosion of the flow system from sand production.
10. Insufficient distances between wellhead, heater, storage tanks, and flare stack
burner, resulting in fire hazard.
11. Working on a H2S well without proper equipment and trained personnel.
12. Night time operations without sufficient lighting for the work area.

Safety
There is no such thing as a routine pressure job and nothing is more important than
safety. Well trained personnel and proper equipment are prerequisites for all
pressure jobs.
Company safety regulations must be strictly observed on all well testing operations
with particular regard given to this aspect when wildcat and/or sour gas H2S) wells
are involved. Some safety practices include the following:
1. Work clothes- Coveralls, hard hat, gloves, steel toed boots worn. Safety
goggles should be on hand and worn when necessary.
2. Hold a spot safety meeting. Include client and rig crew if possible.
3. Emphasize the emergency duties assigned to each crew member for the
operative period.
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4. Be aware of the dangers of working with high pressure. No line, valve or

equipment should be worked on until all pressure is relieved. Watch for
trapped pressure.
5. When possible use spark resistant tools.
6. Do not smoke around the well or equipment at any time. Leave all matches,
lighters and cigarettes outside the work area.
7. When opening a valve under pressure, open the valve gradually. Gate valves
should be fully open or fully closed.
8. Wear safety harness when working on high structures.
9. Wear life vest when working above water.
10. Secure all flow lines, relief lines, hoses, etc...
11. Use common sense and proper safety procedures.

SAFETY is everyone's responsibility and a good pressure job is a SAFE one.

RESTRICTED ZONE - SAFETY STANDARDS

You should know which zones that your equipment is situated in. Below is the general zonal
area.
HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERE
This is an atmosphere containing significant quantities of flammable gas or vapour in
a concentration capable of ignition.
NOTE: The term refers exclusively to the danger arising from ignition, but it
must be remembered that a dangerous condition also exists where
the atmosphere contains toxic gas or vapour in such a concentration
as to be a danger to life.

HAZARDOUS AREA
This is an area in which a dangerous atmosphere exists. Dangerous areas are
classified under three headings, Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2, which are defined as:

Zone 0 An area in which a dangerous atmosphere could continually be present.

Zone 1 an area in which a dangerous atmosphere is likely to occur under abnormal

operating conditions.

Zone 2 An area in which a dangerous atmosphere is likely to occur under normal

operation conditions.
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Well installations, production, separation units, pumping stations, gas compressor

stations and similar installations, including well-pulling and other such well-service
operations, should be classified as detailed below.

ZONES 1 – AREAS
An open area within a radius of 15 metres (50 ft.) form an open discharge or
petroleum-bearing fluid or any other point where emission of a dangerous
atmosphere is likely to arise.
An area within a radius of 15 metres (50 ft.) from well-pulling and other such well-
servicing operations unless regular tests with an explosimeter show that no
dangerous atmosphere is present in which case this area may be classified as Zone
2.
Any enclosed premises containing a source of hazard which may give rise to a
dangerous atmosphere under normal operating conditions. The extent of the Zone 1
area within a radius of 15 metres (50 ft.) from any point of exit from the building.

ZONE 2 – AREAS

An area within a radius of 1.5 metres (5ft) of any production plant or other oil process
installation in open premises or in the open air, operated as a closed system to
prevent in normal circumstances the emission or accumulation in the area of a
dangerous atmosphere.

Any enclosed premises containing a source of hazard, which may give rise to a
dangerous atmosphere under abnormal operating conditions. The interior of the
building should be classified as Zone 1 but surrounding area in the open air within a
radius of 1.5 metres (5ft.) must be classified as Zone 2.

Any enclosed premises not containing a source of hazard but located in a Zone 2
area should be classified as Zone 1, but if the entry of a dangerous atmosphere is
continuously prevented by the provision of fire walls, ventilation or other means, the
premises may be classified as a safe area. When mechanical ventilation is
employed and it is not possible to guarantee the source and reliability of a safe
atmosphere, the premises should be classified as Zone 2.

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VERTICAL EXTENT OF ZONE 1 AND ZONE 2 AREAS

In the naturally well-ventilated conditions of operation on offshore wellhead

structures, the vertical extent of the dangerous area above the highest source of
hazard may be reduced to 3 metres (10 ft.) over the whole of the classified area.
Below the source of hazard, the dangerous area extends down the surface of the
water unless there are defective means of preventing the movement or accumulation
of oil or gas.

NOTE: If lighter-than-air gas is released, due consideration must be given to

the vertical extent if there is an obstruction to gas dispersal (such as
heliport deck).

Within the North Sea all EXPRO Well Test equipment works within Zone 2. This could differ
from rig to rig.
ZONE 3 – AREAS
An area known not to contain any concentrations of flammable vapour, gas, liquid or dust in
the atmosphere.

Operating Procedures
1. The test program is normally directed by an operating company
representative. It is therefore essential that good communication and
understanding exits between us and our client.
2. Well test equipment must only be installed, operated and maintained by
trained personnel adhering to standard procedures.
3. In cases of emergency actions to be taken must be defined beforehand, in
particular, under what circumstances the PWS supervisor (or shift supervisor)
must stop operations.

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Preparation before opening the Well

Safety
1. Hold a Toolbox talk/Safety Huddle prior to performing any work. through the
Separator covering:
a) This procedure
b) Do not walk close to a leaking fitting
c) Do not tighten a leaking fitting under pressure.
d) Housekeeping
2. Barrier off Welltest testing area.
3. Spill Kits.
4. Fire Extinguisher.
5. Clear Routes of escape.
6. All PPE to be worn at all times.
7. Only qualified competent personnel will operate the Separator.
Notes -
a. There must be good clear communication with the Welltest Supervisor, Air
Compressor operator and the Fire watcher.
b. Should any of the compressor stop working due to malfunctions then
thoughts must be given to -
1) Reducing the fluid rate from the pump by closing the oil diverter
manifold slightly
2) By pass to the Tank
3) Ultimately shut in the well at the choke manifold
Well Clean up
Well conditioning is an extremely important part of every well test to ensure that the
effluent measurements recorded at surface are representative of the produced
reservoir fluid system.
The main contaminants to be cleaned out are:
• Drawdown cushion
• Perforating debris
• Completion fluids down to the perforations
• Stimulation fluids
• Drilling fluids
• Scale from tubing or casing
• Cement fines
NOTE: The clean up flow is an extremely hazardous operation because, in
many cases, the well will be flowed to surface for the first time. Safety is
there-fore of paramount importance.

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Clean-up flow should be directed through the adjustable choke and so any fluid or
gas measurements taken at this time are subject to the inaccuracies of the choke.

Prior to opening a well for the first time, care should be taken to ensure that the flow
will be directed to the flare and all equipment downstream of the heat exchanger is
isolated from the flow stream. The Adjustable choke should be opened on a small
size and built up to requirements, (according to the operation guidelines). You must
have a person positioned at the flare boom when opening up to the Burners. He
must have good communication at all times with the Well Test Crew Supervisor. If
the burner should not ignite for any reason remedial action must be taken
immediately, to prevent hydrocarbons escaping to the atmosphere.

NOTE: The Company Representative must be present before opening the

well for the first time.
After completion of the Cleanup it is normal practice to shut in the well to allow the
reservoir pressure to equalize, before continuing with the Well Test.
Normally the choke will be opened on an adjustable and beaned up to the required
fixed choke size. When this size is achieved then you will swap sides to the fixed
choke.
Once stabilization occurs you are ready to flow into the separator.

Checks before Flowing into the Separator

1. Prior to any entry into the separator confirm the flow path route is correct and
lined up to the oil and gas flares line on, the appropriate burner. Confirm wind
direction with control Room. Unless the operations are only tank related.
2. Make sure that orifice plate carrier with orifice plate moves up and down
within the Daniels senior. Leave the holder, carrier and plates ready and
visible close by the Box.
3. Check that all instrumentation on Separator is open and ready to operate.
4. Function Test the controllers on the oil, water and gas lines.
5. The Oil and Water controllers set at 5 with a proportional band setting of 2.5.
The pressure controller to be set at 0 with proportional band set at 2.5.
6. Sensing line to BPV controller is clear and needle valve is open.
7. Make sure that any sample point needle valves are closed.
8. Check all other needle valves, sight glass drains etc are closed
9. ESD system should have been checked prior to this stage.
10. Low pressure pilots must be isolated until pressure reaches level over set
pressure. The same must be done with low level pilots.
11. Fit Differential chart in Recorder, Clock is wound up/battery fitted and
switched on to 24 hour clock
12. Check pens in the differential recorder are marking.

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13. All sight glasses are open and clean.

14. Line up preferred oil line and zero meter if applicable and inform scan of this
data.
15. Line up water line.
16. Read number 1 again then again check process line up and diverter manifolds
to make sure that they are lined up to the required burner boom.
17. Have some buckets hand for any sampling, draining etc.
18. Burners lit a Pre-flaring checklist complete
19. Confirm all of the above with a second person.

Flow Well into through Separator for the First Time.

1. Have 2 people for this operation

2. Check downstream pressure on choke before starting.
3. Normally it is very important to be within Critical flow when flowing on
production but customer sometimes does not require this specific criteria.
Confirm this with the test engineer on location
4. Slowly open inlet valve on separator.
5. Monitor ball valve immediately for any sign of carry over into the Gas line.
6. Commence closing the selected separator Oil or Gas bypass valve.
7. Once inlet fully open and bypass fully closed.
8. Set Separator Pressure to the desired figure.
Note Do not rush this, small movements of the dial makes big differences in
the separator pressure.
9. Once the pressure is around area required do not keep adjusting. Monitor
and adjust as required but also give it time to stabilize.
10. With the oil and water level controllers set at five, the level should be
automatically set to control at that point. Adjust levels accordingly but also
give it time to stabilize.
11. Confirm with operator at burner boom to make sure that good burn is
taking place.
12. Check to make sure that static pressure is steady and confirms with vessel
gauge and Data Acquisition.
13. Activate Pilot systems
14. Once separator is stable, inform scan that you are about to lower orifice
plate in chamber. Lower orifice plate slowly noting differential pressure.
Inform Data Acquisition of orifice plate size.
15. Continue general operating procedures.

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Procedures and Guidelines for shutting in Wells

At the end of a flow period, the well will be closed in to record a build-up. The
preferred option for recording the build-up data is to close the well in downhole and
thus minimize the effects of wellbore storage. Occasionally though, this is not
possible due to various reasons, e.g. malfunction of the downhole tools, suspected
malfunction of downhole gauges, malfunction of the surface readout system (SRO).
Surface Shut-In
Normal procedure for this is to close in at the upstream valves of the choke manifold
and record the pressure build up with all of the means available on location e.g. data
acquisition and manual readings.

The following points should be observed:

• Inform the drill floor of the intent to close in the well surface.
• Ensure that all of the test crew are at the delegated workstations.
• The Well Test Crew should liaise with the Petroleum Engineer to confirm
shut-in requirements and time.
• Ensure that any final pressure/temperatures are recorded prior to shut-in.
• Ensure that any final sampling requirements are met prior to shut-in.
• The Well Test Crew Chief should close in the well at the agreed time, in line
with the procedure below.
• Ensure the shut-in recording equipment is operational and recording at the
required scan rate (if applicable).
• Inform the drill floor of the actual well shut-in time.
The procedure for closing a well in at surface would normally be similar to the points
outlined below:
• Ensure that all relevant personnel are present prior to shut-in.
• Ensure that the pressure recording devices are of suitable range to record
the build up.
• Ensure that all recording devices are operational and open to the well
conditions.
• Ensure that all of the sample points are isolated.
• Close in the relevant upstream choke manifold valve.
• Close in the downstream choke manifold valves.
• Bypass and isolate the downstream equipment to ensure that flow (in the
event of a leak or similar problem) is directed to the flare.
• Monitor any pressure between the upstream and downstream valves on the
choke manifold in an effort to determine any leak through the valves.

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Downhole Shut-in
On most well tests, a downhole tester valve will be run as part of the test string. In
such cases it is the preferred practice to close the well in downhole at this valve to
record the build-up on the downhole gauges.
This method is preferable to the surface shut-in for the following reasons:
• The effect of wellbore storage is minimized.
• Once the downhole valve is confirmed closed, surface pressure can be
bled down and hence reduce the risk of a high pressure leak at surface.
• There are fewer potential places for leaks to occur.
The Downhole Tool Supervisor is responsible for the operation and status of the
downhole tools during the shut-in period. Confirmation should be made of the
following requirements:
• The Well Test Crew Chief should liaise with the Petroleum Engineer to
ascertain shut-in and procedures.
• Communicate with the Tool Supervisor to make sure that the shut in has
taken place.
• Ensure that all personnel are informed of the actual shut-in time.

The Petroleum Engineer should ensure that all sampling requirements have been
met before the well is closed in and confirm with all test personnel the information
required during the well shut-in will be collected by the Company’s requirements.
A typical down hole shut-in procedure would be as follows:
• Ensure that all relevant test personnel are present prior to shut-in.
• Bypass all surface equipment (if applicable)
• Close in the well by cycling the downhole tester valve to the closed
position.
• Continue flowing the well through the choke manifold until confirmation of
pressure reduction is observed.
• Close the well in at the choke manifold.
• Monitor the pressure carefully to confirm the tester valve is closed.
• Isolate all surface equipment to ensure that, in the event of any problems,
the flow will be directed to the flare.
• Inform all rig personnel of the well status.

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Note:
1. At any time during these operations you have cause to shut in due
to leaks, failure of equipment or incident. DO NOT HESITATE TO
DO SO.
2. Full records must be kept of all information, this includes job log.
3. Each reading must be taken exactly on time.
4. Any deviation from agreed operations, must be discussed before
hand. If not then the client must be informed immediately.
5. Follow operating procedures.
6. Do not carry out a job that you are not trained to do.

Measurements to be taken during a Well Test

The following chart is a guideline to the frequency of Measurements that need to be

taken. It may be required that they are taken more/less frequently depending on the
Operational Guidelines (Client Requirements).

Type of measurement Manual Readings DAS Logging Frequency

Clean Up Stable Flow
Annulus Pressure 5 mins then 15 mins 1 Min 1 Min
Wellhead Pressure 5 mins then 15 mins 1 Min 1 min
Choke D/S Pressure 5 mins then 15 mins 1 Min 1 min
Choke Size 5 mins then 15 mins 1 Min 1 min
BS&W at Choke Manifold (D/S) 30 mins 1 Min 1 min
Separator Pressure 15 mins 1 Min 1 min
Gas Line Pressure 15 mins 1 Min 1 min
Gas Line Temperature 15 mins 1 Min 1 min
Orifice Differential 15 mins 1 Min 1 min
Orifice Plate Size 15 mins 1 Min 1 min
Gas Gravity 1 hour 1 Min 1 min
H2S and CO2 at Separator Twice per flow rate 1 Min 1 min
Oil Meter Rate 15 mins 1 Min 1 min
Water Meter Rate 15 mins 1 Min 1 min
Oil Gravity 1 hour 1 Min 1 min
Oil Line Temp on Separator 15 mins 1 Min 1 min
Oil Shrinkage (oil line on Sep) Every flow rate calc 1 Min 1 min
BS&W from Oil line at Sep 1 hour 1 Min 1 min
Water Salinity Twice per flow rate 1 Min 1 min
Water PH Twice per flow rate 1 Min 1 min
Temp upstream of Heater 15 mins 1 Min 1 min
Temp downstream of Heater 15 mins 1 Min 1 min
Pressure Downstream of Heater 15 mins 1 Min 1 min
Burner Line Pressure 15 mins 1 Min 1 min

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Note:

• Water PH values will have to be done more frequently during Flowback of

Stimulation Fluids.
• Manual readings must be taken as a back for DAS.

The importance of correct and accurate data collection manually

The main function of Well Testing is to provide data for our customer. This data can
be in the form of electronic data, which is collected by Data Acquisition.

However even with this in operation, manual data must also be collected. This is
carried out for two reasons:

1. To Verify the information supplied by the DAS is correct and accurate.

2. If for some reason, the DAS System were to fail, it would still be possible to
complete a Well Test Report from the Manual Readings.

NOTE: THE MANUAL READINGS SHOULD BE RECORDED WITH ENOUGH

INFORMATION THAT A WELL TEST REPORT CAN BE COMPLETED. IT IS NOT
GOOD ENOUGH TO RELY ON ELECTRONIC FORMATS.

HOW TO FILL OUT A DATA CARD CORRECTLY

You must complete the necessary inputs to the top section of the Data Card.

What information?

Test Number Well name or number

Test Unit Description Date

Page of Page Customer

Field Formation

Oil Meter Size Meter Range

Meter Type Interval Tested

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Remarks Gas Meter Run Size (This is usually 5.761”)

Differential Range Static Pressure ( Edge – U/S, Idea – downstream)

Actual Readings to be taken

The time and date should be entered for each line.

Well Head Data

• Casing Pressure (psig or bar)

• Tubing Pressure (psig or bar – normally taken upstream of the choke)
• Tubing Temp (oF or oC)

Flow Control

• Choke Size (64ths of an inch, % or mm)

• Downstream Choke Pressure (psig or bar)
• Downstream Choke Temperature (oF or oC)
• Heater Choke Size (if required)
• Heater Downstream Pressure (psig or bar – if required)
• BS&W at Choke/Heater (taken downstream of choke - %)

Gas Metering

• Orifice Size (inches)

• Static Pressure (psig)
• Differential Pressure (inches of water)
• Gas Temperature (oF or oC)
• Gas Gravity (air = 1, there it will be above of below this.)
• H2S (ppm)
• CO2 (ppm/%)

Oil or Condensate Metering

• Oil Meter Reading (bbls/day or m3)

• Oil Tank Reading (bbls/day or m3)
• Oil Line Temperature (oF or oC)
• Tank Oil Temperature (oF or oC)
• Oil through the meter gravity (sg or API)
• Tank Oil Gravity (sg or API)
• Oil Meter Line BS&W (%)

Water Metering

• Water Meter Reading (bbls/day or m3)

• Tank Water Reading (bbls/day or m3)
• Salinity (Nacl or ppm)

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• Ph or produced water (7 = neutral, below 7 is acidic, above 7 alkali)

Sequence of events

This records all events/operations carried out during the Well Test including other
service operations.

NOTE:

1. When filling out the sequence of operations, there can never be too many
entries.
2. Every effort should be made to take the readings on time, accurately and
consistently. The readings taken should be checked against DAS records
continuously.

Field Readings Sheet

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How to take a BS&W

What does BS&W stand for? It means Base Sediment and Water. This procedure
allows us to measure from the fluid passing in the line how much solids and water
we have in a sample.

We make two measurements:

At the Choke Manifold, Downstream

THIS SAMPLE MUST BE TAKEN ON THE DOWNSTREAM SIDE OF THE CHOKE

MANIFOLD.

If the sample taken at the choke were to have solids in it, we would have to bypass
the heater and separator. It also gives us an indication when the well is cleaning up
during Clean Up operations.

From Oil Line on Separator

This is a required field to calculate the Oil Rate. It will also give us an indication of
how much gas we have entrained in the oil.

Oil

Water

Solids

A sample from the flow stream is taken in a centrifuge tube like the one above. You
must take a full sample up to the 100ml point. This would be balanced against the
same size sample on opposing sides of the centrifuge. You would then spin this in
the centrifuge for 5 mins at which time you would allow the centrifuge to stop turning,
before removing. By looking at the separation of the different materials you would
then make note of how much solids and water there is showing on the glass.

The Centrifuge can either be hand, electric or air operated.

The same method is used for both the Choke Manifold sample and the Oil Line
Sample.

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H2S and CO2 Sampling

This is conducted at least twice during a flow period. More if required by the
customer. If high volumes of either product is contained in the well fluid. Sampling
will be carried out by a separate company.

The hand pumps above are the most common types used. The ampoules come in
different sizes and amounts to be measured. Inside the ampoules is a paper coated
with a chemical which reacts to the gas being measured. It is measured in ppm
(parts per million). If the parts per million were to be 10 or over special precautions
would be taken.

The ends of the ampoule are broken off and the ampoule is inserted into the hand
pump. Put the open ampoule into a stream of gas and pump to measure. Inside the
case containing the pump is the instruction guide (read this thoroughly). The paper
will change colour should any H2S/CO2 be present. It is then only a matter of
reading off the amount and noting.

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How to measure Water Salinity

We would use a refractometer

A refractometer is a small, hand-held instrument used to measure the amount of

NaCl dissolved in a water sample. The instrument consists of a focusable eyepiece,
refracting prism, internal scale and zero adjustment.

Procedure
1. Apply a small sample of distilled water to the prism end of the refractometer.
Close lid. While viewing towards a light source, use the zero adjustment
wrench to line up the base line with the 0 scale.
2. Apply a small sample of produced water to the prism end of the refractometer.
Close lid. While viewing towards a light source, determine the point on the
scale that a color change occurs.
3. Using the refractometer's calibration table, determine the NaCl content. To
determine chloride content divide by 1.65.

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Determining Shrinkage:

Measurement of Shrinkage with Shrinkage Tester

A diagram of the shrinkage tester is given. It operates as follows:
1. Close liquid inlet valve.
2. Open liquid bleed valve.
3. Close gas decompression valve.
4. Open gas inlet valve slowly, purge shrinkage tester by allowing gas
to flow out oil bleed valve.
5. Close oil bleed valve and allow shrinkage tester to reach separator
pressure.
6. Open oil inlet valve and allow oil level to reach zero on graduated
scale.
7. Close oil inlet and gas inlet valves.
8. Record tester pressure and temperature.
9. Allow tester to decompress by opening decompression valve (this
should have a 1/64th calibrated orifice in the valve).
10. Leave it 30 minutes to decompress.
11. Read the shrinkage percentage and temperature.
12. Close decompression valve and drain oil.

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Determining API Gravity

Hydrometers are used to measure the API gravity of the oil and condensate
produced. Most hydrometers include a thermometer to register the temperature of
the fluid at the time the gravity is measured. This temperature is necessary to
correct the oil gravity to an API gravity at a standard 60oF. Hydrometers can also
measure the specific gravity of water and in turn the approximate percentage of salt
saturation.
Hydrometers are available in ranges of -1 to 101o API and .650 to 2.000 specific
gravity.

Procedure
The sample to be tested for gravity is poured into a clean clear graduated cylinder
without splashing. This is to avoid the formation of air bubbles and to reduce to a
minimum the evaporation of the lighter oils. The cylinder should be placed in a
vertical position in a place free from air currents.
The hydrometer is carefully lowered into the sample to a level two smallest scale
divisions below that at which it will float and then released. When the hydrometer
has come to rest, floating freely away from the walls and bottom of the cylinder, the
gravity is read at the point the surface of the sample cuts the hydrometer scale. The
reading obtained is corrected by an arbitrary deduction of 0.1o API.

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The thermometer is read at approximately the same time as the hydrometer and the
temperature determined to the nearest 1oF.
The observed gravity and observed temperature obtained is corrected to the API
gravity at 60oF. Tables are available for the necessary correction.

How to find the PH Value

You would use PH papers.

A sample of water coming from the formation is separated from the oil and a PH
paper is dipped into the fluid. By the change in colour reaction on the paper and
measuring against the PH scale on the packet that comes with the paper you can
determine roughly what the ph is.

7 on the ph scale is neutral.

Anything below 7 is acidic and anything above 7 is alkali.

How to take a Gas Gravity

This is only an introduction!

The specific gravity of separator gas is determined by the RANAREX gravitometric

method. The instrument operates on the principle that the kinetic energy of the gas
is compared to the kinetic energy of air impinging on counter rotating impellers. The
unit has a specific gravity measuring scale for light gas of .52 - 1.03 and for heavy
gas .970 - 1.90.
For HRS using a gas "as is" to dry air comparison is required. We wish to determine
the specific gravity by comparing the gas being metered in its natural state to an air
at standard conditions. A more accurate gas flow rate will be achieved if the actual
gas specific gravity is known.

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Procedure
The silica gel crystals used in the air drier should be in an active state (deep blue). If
the crystals are pink they should be dried in an oven at 250oF for two hours or until
the dark blue color returns.
Check that the pointer and lock knob are in a "lock" position.
Put selector valve in "O" position.
The instrument should be connected to 110 volt 60 Hz or with an inverter to a 12 volt
source and operated on air only (selector on "O" setting) for at least few minutes
before conducting a specific gravity determination.
Unlock the pointer and check the zero position (1.000 SG) at the beginning and end
of this warm up period.
If the gas gravity is known to be less than 1.0, gas will be admitted to the upper
chamber and reference air to the lower chamber. If the gas gravity is known to be
above 1.0 gas will be admitted to the lower chamber and reference air at the upper
chamber. If gas gravity is not known to be above or below 1.0, it can be determined
by admitting gas either way and view the indicator scale for proper movement.
Generally, the "LG" selection (upper chamber) will be acceptable for most
applications.
Connect a gas vent hose to the appropriate outlet. This is especially important when
dealing with H2S or confined spaces.

Introducing Gas Sample

Connect gas hose to flow meter inlet. Turn selector valve to "LG" or "HG" position.
Adjust inlet flow valve so float rises to approximate specific gravity of gas. With the
instrument in operation the source gas flow should be approximately 12 CF/Hour at a
pressure not exceeding 15 psig. (Just barely audible flow out of 1/4 inch rubber
tubing produces an ideal flow rate).
Allow the instrument to operate on this gas for 20-30 seconds or until the pointer
reaches a steady reading.

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Read the specific gravity on the lower (red) scale when the gas is admitted at the
"LG" inlet and read the upper (black) scale when the gas is admitted at the "HG"
inlet. Note that the gravity decreases from right to left on the red scale and from left
to right on the black scale.

Purge the Instrument with Fresh Air

When the specific gravity determination is complete, shut off the source gas flow, disconnect
the gas sample hose, turn to "O" setting on inlet selector valve, and allow the instrument to
purge free of gas until pointer returns to 1.000. This will prevent corrosion and leave the
instrument ready for the next test.

Revision 2. July 2010 24 Conducting the Well Test