LEAK OFF TEST

LOT
 LOT

What is LOT?
A test to determine the strength or fracture pressure of the open formation,
usually conducted immediately after drilling below a new casing shoe.
During the test, the well is shut in and fluid is pumped into the wellbore to
gradually increase the pressure that the formation experiences. At some
pressure, fluid will enter the formation, or leak off, either moving through
permeable paths in the rock or by creating a space by fracturing the rock.
 Why do LOTs
1.To find the formation fracture resistance and convert that into determining the maximum mud weight
that can be used in the hole section about to be drilled.
 
2. Be aware that Fracture Gradient at the shoe might not always be the weakest point. Often is though.
 
3. Determine if shoe needs to be squeezed
 
4. Determine minimum horizontal stress
 
5. Reduce the risk of lost circulation events.
 
6. Provide calibration points for estimating fracture gradient over the entire hole
 
7. Provide data for drilling stability calculations
 
8. Provide data needed for waste disposal downhole injection design
 
9. Provide data needed for fracture stimulation design and completions
LOT procedures
LOT