SFTT Best Practices

Pretest Volume
&
Probe Selection

October 24, 2001

Pressure Testing
Pressure testing is a relatively straightforward process in permeable zones. There are a few tool setup
options that can be considered for certain formation and well bore conditions. First, the selection of
the pretest chamber size, and secondly, is the selection of the probe type. The two options are
interrelated and depend on wellbore and formation conditions. In order to make a valid pressure
measurement, hydraulic communication with the formation must be established. To establish this
communication requires that the mudcake seal be penetrated. This is accomplished with a
combination of probe selection and pretest volume. The pretest volume must be large enough to
create a pressure differential across the mudcake such that the stress created breaks the seal. This
stress depends on the pressure differential as well as the probe area. As the pad is set it is partially
compressed by the tool hydraulics. When the pretest starts the pad is compressed further due to the
differential pressure and the fluid in the flow line starts to decompress. A stress across the mudcake is
not induced until the pressure is lowered below the formation pressure. Therefore, a minimum pretest
volume is required before formation pressure can be reached. In highly overbalanced conditions 10 cc
may not be sufficient. Thick mudcakes typically encountered with high overbalance can also increase
the volume required. The standard setup for the SFTT can accomplish this in most operating
conditions. However, in highly overbalanced conditions and depleted zones special probes and larger
pretest volumes are required. Low permeability zones also require special consideration.

Tables 1 and 2 below show the pretest options available. In general, the larger 20 cc volume is for
higher permeability zones (> 10-md) and the 10 cc volume is for lower permeability zones (< 10-md).
Only the 20 and 10cc pretest volumes are recommended. The 5 cc pretests should only be used when
the client understands the potential risks in obtaining misleading buildup data. That is, the volume
may not be sufficient to penetrate the mudcake. Log examples of this type of pressure response are
illustrated in further detail in the sections that follow.

Table 3 shows the 3 probe options along with the recommended application and pretest volumes. The
larger flow area probe has internal changes to open up passages to accommodate a larger volume of
fines when thick mudcakes are encountered. These modifications lower the probes pressure rating.
The movable wiper probe is designed specifically for low-pressure zones. While the other two probes
have fixed wipers that clean the screen area every time the probe is retracted the movable wiper
moves with the probe, which helps to displace the mudcake ahead of the probe. As the probe sets, the
wiper is retracted. The net result is to reduce the amount of mudcake fines that would be introduced
into the probe area. Excessive fines could potentially plug of the probe.

Table 1 – Standard SFTT-C Pretest

(10,000 psi rating)
Test Volume 20 (cc) 10 5*
Flow Rate 2.5 (cc/sec) 2.5 2.5
* 5 cc pretest option not recommended

Table 2 – High Pressure SFTT-C Pretest

(20,000 psi rating)
Test Volume 10 (cc) 5*
Flow Rate 1.0 (cc/sec) 1.0
* 5 cc pretest option not recommended

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 Table 3 - Probe Options for SFTT-C
Description Standard Larger Flow Area Movable Wiper
Application Permeable Zones Highly overbalanced Very low pore
and thick mudcakes pressures (< 100 psi)
Part Number
Probe O.D. 0.75 (in) 0.75 (in) 1.25 (in)
Probe I.D. 0.44 (in) 0.44 (in) 1.00 (in)
Screen Size 0.018 (in) 0.018-0.025 (in) 0.018-0.025 (in)
Pressure Differential 20,000 (psi) 10,000 (psi) 5,660 (psi)
Pretest Volume 10-20 (cc) 10-20 (cc) 20 (cc)

While the pretest volume and probe type can play a critical role, it is also important for the engineer
to know what type of tool responses to expect. This will enable the engineer to determine how long to
continue a buildup and if a pressure test is valid or inclusive. This document provides
recommendations on setting up the SFTT for pressure testing and some guidance on interpreting non-
standard pressure responses.

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Typical Permeable Zones
This pressure time plot illustrates the ideal pretest where the pressure during the drawdown is nearly
constant. Buildups are rapid and the pressure should stabilize in less than two minutes.

Normal Pressure Transient Mdd > 1.0 md

Hydrostatic1
Drawdown Hydrostatic2
Pressure (psi)

Stop

Fill up
Q

tdd tfu Time (sec) tstop

This example illustrates one type of variation from the ideal pretest. Because the pressure is
increasing near the end of the drawdown it can be assumed the formation is cleaning up.

Cleanup Pressure Transient Mdd > 1.0 md

Drawdown
Pressure (psi)

Stop

Fill up

Probe cleanup

tdd tfu Time (sec) tstop

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Both of these pretests illustrate probe plugging. In the first case the probe starts to plug near the end
of the pretest drawdown and in the second case the probe plugging is released near the beginning of
the pretest. In both cases choose the Pfu and Tfu to reflect the character of the steady state drawdown
pressure differential.

Plugging Pressure Transient Mdd > 1.0 md

Drawdown
Pressure (psi)

Stop

Fill up

Q Probe plugging

tdd tfu Time (sec) tstop

Plugging Pressure Transient Mdd > 1.0 md

Drawdown
Pressure (psi)

Stop

Fill up

Probe plugging
Q

tdd tfu Time (sec) tstop

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Insufficient Drawdown Volume
This example illustrates the type of response observed when the drawdown (pretest) volume is not
large enough to penetrate the mudcake. Notice that there is an immediate sharp increase in the
pressure. This pressure buildup quickly transitions to a slower rate that does not stabilize. This quick
change in pressure is due to the spring back of the rubber pad and other mechanical-hydraulic
characteristics of the tool. The slower buildup is indicative of the mudcake. As fluid passes through
the mudcake a long slow buildup is observed. The buildup reflects the mudcake permeability and not
the formation permeability. Usually, if this buildup is allowed to continue, which could take an hour
or more, the pressure will approach hydrostatic.

Insufficient Drawdown Volume

Drawdown
Pressure (psi)

Stop

Fill up
Q

tdd tfu Time (sec) tstop tend

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Pressure Testing in Low Permeability Zones (Tight Zones).
This plot illustrates a classic tight zone test. Notice that this is very similar to the case where there is
insufficient drawdown volume (see previous example). The difference is that the buildup should
stabilize within a reasonable time limit (usually less than 30 minutes). Also, the initial buildup slope
does not change that much (see previous example). To verify that the buildup is valid perform a
second pretest. For a tight zone repeated pretests can vary by as much as 100psi. The supercharging
effect is more of a factor in tight zones than permeable zones. That is, the sandface pressure measured
by the tester is elevated above formation pressure due to the hydrostatic overbalance. This
supercharge effect is more pronounced in tight zones because the mudcake has less of a sealing
effect. The drawdown mobility Mdd from this pretest will over estimate the actual mobility. Use the
PTA “TightZone” plot to estimate the mobility.

Tight Zone Transient Mdd < 1.0 md

Drawdown
Pressure (psi)

Stop

Q Fill up

tdd tfu Time (sec) tstop tend

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 Pressure Testing in Highly Overbalanced Zones
In high permeability zones with high overbalance pressures the buildup pressure can overshoot. A
large overbalance in the hydrostatic pressure can create this problem. When the pressure is decreased
rapidly the oil surrounding the quartz gauge temperature is changed due to adiabatic expansion. The
temperature compensation calculations are not fast enough to correct for this temperature change,
which can cause a transient in the pressure curve. With the RDT or SFT-IV a second pretest can be
performed where the hydrostatic pressure would not be a factor. The PTA Horner plot can be used to
determine the correct buildup pressure by selecting the straight-line portion of the curve.

Buildup Overshot, Mdd > 10 md

Pressure (psi)

Buildup overshoot

tdd tfu Time (sec) tstop

Buildup Overshot, Mdd > 10md

Horner or FasTest Plot
Straight line matches data
P*
Pressure (psi)

Buildup overshoot

Time Function

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Depleted Zone With Phase Change
This type of pretest is produced when the drawdown pressure is lower than the bubble point of the
formation fluids. Gas is evolved out of solution, which slows the buildup. As the gas is recombined
into solution the buildup starts to increase much more rapidly. This phase change can take as long as
5 to 20 minutes. The drawdown mobility Mdd from PTA will overestimate the actual mobility and
the Tight Zone method is recommended.

Depleted Zone With Phase Change

Drawdown
Pressure (psi)

Stop

Fill up
Phase Change

tdd tfu Time (sec) tstop

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