See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/237259898

Determination of Vertical anD Horizontal Permeabilities for Vertical oil anD Gas
Wells WitH Partial comPletion anD Partial Penetration usinG Pressure anD
Pressure DeriV atiVe Plots...

Article in CT y F - Ciencia, Tecnologia y Futuro · December 2005

CITATIONS READS
13 3,638

7 authors, including:

Djebbar Tiab Freddy Humberto Escobar

University of Oklahoma South Colombian University
149 PUBLICATIONS 2,198 CITATIONS 159 PUBLICATIONS 742 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Pressure transient analysis View project

Straight-Line Conventional Transient Pressure Analysis for Horizontal Wells with Isolated Zones View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Freddy Humberto Escobar on 11 April 2014.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Determination of Vertical and
Horizontal Permeabilities for
Vertical Oil and Gas Wells with
Partial Completion and Partial
Penetration using Pressure and
Pressure Derivative Plots without
Type-Curve Matching
Katherine Moncada1, Djebbar Tiab2, Freddy-Humberto Escobar*3, Matilde Montealegre3, Abel Chacon4,
Renzon Zamora3 and Sandra-L. Nese3

1Schlumberger
2University
of Oklahoma
3Universidad Surcolombiana , Programa de Ingeniería de Petróleos, Grupo de Investigación en Pruebas de Pozos
4WoodGroup
e-mail: fescobar@usco.edu.co

(Received 16 June 2005; Accepted 23 November 2005)

I
t has been long recognized that in some reservoirs the flow does not follow the expected radial cylindrical
pattern. Spherical flow may take place in systems with wells completed in thick reservoirs where a short
completion interval is open to flow yielding a unique and more complex early-time pressure behavior. Some
of the main reasons for partial penetration are to avoid coning of water and minimize sand production. A similar
early-time pressure behavior may be due to the presence of plugged perforations. Such well completions are
referred to as limited-entry, restricted-entry or partially penetrating wells. A typical case of spherical propagation
of pressure transients occurs during the repeat formation tester measurements. Such a test measures spot forma-
tion pressures and recovers formation fluid samples for gaining an insight into the reservoir flow mechanics.

The purpose of this study is to identify on the pressure and pressure derivative curves the unique characteristics
for different flow regimes resulting from these type of completions and to determine various reservoir parameters,
such as vertical, horizontal permeability, and various skin factors. The interpretation is performed using Tiab’s
Direct Synthesis (TDS) Technique, introduced by Tiab (1993), which uses analytical equations obtained from
characteristic lines and points found on the log-log plot of pressure and pressure derivative to determine perme-
ability, skin and wellbore storage without using type-curve matching. The extension of this methodology for the
case under study includes wellbore storage and skin effects. It is applied to both drawdown and buildup tests.

We found that a spherical or hemispherical flow regime occurs prior to the radial flow regime whenever the
penetration ratio of about 20%. A half-slope line on the pressure derivative is the unique characteristic iden-
tifying the presence of the spherical/hemispherical flow. The typical half-slope line of theses flow regimes is
used to estimate spherical permeability and spherical skin values. These parameters are then used to estimate
vertical permeability, anisotropy index and skin. Results of TDS technique where successufully compared to
those of conventional technique for field and simulated examples.

Keywords: hemispherical flow, spherical flow, radial flow, skin factor, analytical solution, difussivity equation.

* To whom correspondence may be addressed

CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005 77

 D
esde hace mucho tiempo se sabe que en algunos yacimeintos el flujo no sigue la trayectoria cilíndrica
esperada. El flujo esférico puede ocurrir en sistemas con pozos completados en formaciones con
mucho espesor con una pequeña porción de intervalo perforado abierto al flujo dando lugar a una
única y más compleja respuesta de presión temprana. Algunas de las principales razones para acudir a
penetración parcial es evitar la conificación de agua y minimizar la producción de arena. Un comportamiento
similar de la presión a tiempos tempranos podría deberse al taponamiento en las perforaciones. Tales
completamientos se denominan entrada limitada, entrada restringida o pozos con penetración parcial. Un
caso típico de propagación esférica del transiente de presión ocurre durante medidas de RFT. Dicho registro
mide presiones de formación y muestrea los fluidos de la formación para tener una idea de la mecánica
de flujo en el yacimiento.

El propósito de este estudio es identificar características únicas en le gráfico de la presión y la derivada

para diversos regimenes de flujo que resultan de este tipo de completamientos y determinar los distintos
parámetros del yacimiento. Tales como permeabilidad vertical, permeabilidad horizontal, y diversos factores
de daño. La interpretación se lleva a cabo usando la Tiab’s Direct Synthesis (TDS) Technique, introducida
por Tiab (1993), la cual usa ecuaciones analíticas obtenidas de líneas y puntos característicos hallados en
el gráfico log-log de presión y derivada de presión para determinar permeabilidad, daño y almacenamiento
sin emplear curvas tipo. La extensión de esta metodología para el caso en estudio incluye almacenamiento
y daño. La técnica se aplica tanto a pruebas de restauración como de declinación de presión.

Encontramos que el flujo hemisférico o esférico toma lugar antes del flujo radial siempre que la relación
de penetración sea aproximadamente menor del 20%. Una pendiente negativa de ½ en la curva de la
derivada es la característica única para identificar la presencia de flujo hemisférico/esférico. Esta línea típica
de pendiente –½ se usa para determinar la permeabilidad esférica y los daños esféricos, para luego estimar
la permeabilidad vertical y el índice de anisotropía. Los resultados de la TDS fueron satisfactoriamente
comparados con casos de campo y casos simulados.

Palabras claves: flujo hemisférico, flujo esférico, flujo radial, factor de daño, solución analítica, ecuación de difusividad.

78 CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005

 DETERMINATION OF VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL PERMEABILITIES

NOMENCLATURE

b Fractional penetration ratio, hp/h, dimensionless

B Formation volume factor, res vol/stb vol
C Wellbore storage coefficient
CD Dimensionless wellbore storage coefficient
cf Rock compressibility, psi-1
co Oil compressibility, psi-1
ct Total reservoir compressibility, psi-1
G Function of the fractional penetration ratio
h Total formation thickness, ft
hp Limited interval open to flow, ft
hD Dimensionless total formation thickness
IA Anisotropy index, dimensionless
k Reservoir permeability, md
kH Horizontal permeability, md
kV Vertical permeability, md
ksp Spherical permeability, md
khs Hemispherical permeability, md
kr1 Horizontal permeability from first radial flow, md
kr2 Horizontal permeability from second radial flow, md
m(P) Pseudopressure, psi2/cp
P Pressure, psia
PD Dimensionless pressure
Pi Initial reservoir pressure, psia
Pwf Well flowing pressure, psia
q Oil rate, STB/D
qg Gas rate, Mscf/D
r Radial distance, ft
rD Dimensionless radial distance
rw Wellbore radius, ft
rsw Spherical wellbore radius, ft
sm Mechanical or damage skin
sm Mechanical or damage pseudoskin (gas wells)
sc Partial penetration-skin
st Total skin
t Testing time, h
T Reservoir temperature, °R
tD Dimensionless time

CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005 79

 KATHERINE MONCADA et al.

NOMENCLATURE

z Gas deviation factor

ø Porosity, fraction
µ Oil viscosity, cp

SUBSCRIPTS

D Dimentionless quantity
g Gas
H Horizontal
i Initial
N Unit slope
r Radial flow
r1 First or early radial flow
r2 Second or late radial flow
sp Spherical flow
hs Hemispherical flow
V Vertical

SI METRIC CONVERSION FACTOR

Bbl x 1.589 873 E-01 = m3

cp x 1.0* E-03 = Pa-s
ft x 3.048* E-01 = m
ft2 x 9.290 304* E-02 = m2
psi x 6.894 757 E+00 = kPa
λ Interporosity flow parameter

INTRODUCTION
deposition, folding or faulting. The vertical anisotropy
is fundamental in describing pressure response around
The most common practice to analyze pressure tran- a well partially penetrating a formation unbounded
sient data is to assume a radial flow profile. However, in laterally and confined at the top and bottom by imper-
wells with partial penetration/completion a hemispheri- meable layers.
cal/spherical flow is more representative of the system.
In this work the effect of partial well completion
In reality the formation itself is usually nonuniform and partial well penetration on pressure behavior will
or heterogeneous in properties such as porosity and be analyzed in order to determine vertical permeability,
permeability, both areally and vertically resulting from horizontal permeability, skin and wellbore storage. The

80 CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005

 DETERMINATION OF VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL PERMEABILITIES

knowledge of vertical anisotropy would allow a better is to extend TDS Technique for the case of wells with
reservoir development and subsequent secondary re- partial penetration and partial completion.
covery programs could be planned more efficiently.
Spherical symmetries are appropriate in well pres- FLOW GEOMETRIES
sure analyses when the well does not fully penetrate
the productive horizon, or perhaps if it were selectively
Vertical wells can exhibit different flow regimes
completed. Muskat presented the problem of steady
during their transient behavior. Spherical flow can oc-
state spherical flow in 1932.
cur when a well is producing from a limited section of
Several papers, although not enough, have been a thick reservoir or producing from a thick reservoir
written to discuss spherical flow phenomena but mostly under a variety of conditions such as the presence of
in connection with wireline formation testing tools. Mo- shale barriers spherical flow will also develop. In the
ran and Finklea in 1962 were the first to suggest that a case of partial completion in thick reservoirs.
pressure buildup equation based on spherical flow was
Spherical flow can be visualized as flow along the
necessary to correctly analyze pressure data obtained
radius of a sphere. Figure 1 shows the ideal geometry of
from a wireline formation tester (a limited entry test).
spherical flow and demonstrates the concept of perfect
The first general discussion of unsteady-state spheri-
radial flow towards a common point in the sphere: its
cal flow appears to be a paper published by Chatas in
center. Hemispherical flow, also shown in Figure 1, is
1966. In 1974, Culham presented equations suitable
identical to spherical flow with the obvious exception
for pressure buildup analysis but the wellbore storage
that the flow is contained within a hemisphere.
distortion was not included.
Raghavan and Clark (1975) examined the applicabil-
ity of the spherical flow equations given by Moran and
Finklea (1962) to a well producing from a limited section
of a thick anisotropic formation. Later in 1980, Brigham
et al. extended the Chatas (1966) study to include well-
bore storage effects. However, their solution is valid only
for the case of no wellbore damage. Later, Joseph (1984)
and Proett (1998) presented solutions including wellbore
storage and damage skin effects. Additional references
discussing the partial penetration problem are available
from the literature (Brons and Marting, 1961; Abbot et
al., 1978). However, their main concern was to express
the partial penetration and limited entry as a skin factor Figure 1. Ideal geometry of spherical and hemispherical flow
not to estimate vertical permeability.
In 1993, Tiab introduced the TDS Technique for in- In practice, the flow is not purely spherical or hemi-
terpreting log-log pressure and pressure derivative plots spherical because the completion interval is not a true
by using analytical solutions to determine permeability, point sink. However, the flow is spherical in a practical
skin and wellbore storage without employing type-curve sense if the completion interval is very short relative
matching. This revolutionary technique, already extend- to the net pay. In the case of a thick reservoir between
ed to many other systems (Boussalem, et al., 2002; Tiab two impermeable confining layers and a short partial-
and Escobar, 2003), uses such unique features as lines, completion interval, the spherical flow regime will occur
intersection points, and other “fingerprint”characteristics between two periods of cylindrical-radial flow. In both
found on the pressure and pressure derivative log-log cases, three flow periods can be identified -additional to
plot to develop analytical equations to readily obtain wellbore storage- as follows: A period 1 corresponding to
reservoir parameters. The main objective of this paper an initial radial flow over the completion interval. Dur-

CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005 81

 KATHERINE MONCADA et al.

ing this period the reservoir behaves as if the formation and assuming an areally isotropic system then:
thickness were equal to the length of the open zone. A
Period 2 corresponds to a transition period during which (5)
spherical/hemispherical flow may be identified. And the
third period corresponds to a second radial flow but this 3) The physical system of interest considers a sphere
time over the total formation thickness. itself instead of its center. This region of singularity is
called a continuous “spherical sink” which corresponds
physically to a wellbore, which must be visualized as
MATHEMATICAL FORMULATION a sphere. Hence, the cylindrical wellbore of radius rw
must be represented by a fictitious spherical wellbore
of radius rsw given by an equation originally suggested
The fundamental partial differential equation (Muskat, by Moran and Finklea (1962):
1932) describing the flow of a slightly compressible fluid
in a homogeneous and infinite porous medium character-
ized by a spherical geometry, can be stated as: (6)
hp has to be greater or equal than rw. Under the
above assumptions the spherical source solution for
(1) long time is given then by:
Several authors (Moran and Finlklea, 1962) have
presented solutions to Equation 1 for different flowing
conditions, fluid types and boundary conditions. For the (7)
purpose of this study, besides the basic considerations Where the dimensionless variables suggested by
normally assumed in well test analysis, Joseph (1984) Joseph (1984) for spherical flow are defined in a field
also assumed the three following considerations: units as follows:
1) The flow is perfectly spherical to a well of radius
rw in an isotropic medium, then the terms ∂Φ/∂θ and (8.a)
∂Φ/∂χ can in Equation 1 can be dropped. Therefore,
Equation 1 can be stated as:
(9.a)
(2)
(10.a)
2) Even though Joseph (1984) assumed the medium
is spherically isotropic; hence k in Equation 2 is the
constant spherical permeability. The analysis in systems (11.a)
possessing simple anisotropy (i.e., uniform but unequal and the dimensionless variables normally used in
horizontal and vertical permeability components) can radial coordinates are (Earlougher, 1977):
be also done without significatively affecting the radial
coordinate (Joseph, 1984). In that case, k should be
replaced by ksp in Equation 2. (8.b)

(9.b)
(3)
where ksp is set as a geometric average of the perme- (10.b)
ability components as follows:

(4) (11.b)

82 CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005

 DETERMINATION OF VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL PERMEABILITIES

Characteristic points and lines obtained for cylindrical and linear flow. This results
A log-log plot of dimensionless pressure and in the familiar unit-slope portion on the log-log plot
pressure derivative versus time is shown in Figure 2. at early times. Combination of Equations 9.a and 11.a
Although, wellbore storage may be present, the three will lead to:
dominant flow regimes identified in a well with partial
completion in chronological order are: early radial,
spherical and late radial flows (Moncada, 2004). (13)
Substituting Equation 13 and Equation 8.a into
Equation 12 and solving explicitly for C we obtained:

(14)
Where tN is any convenient time during the unit-
slope portion on the log-log plot and ∆P is the value
of pressure drop corresponding to tN.

(1b) Early radial flow. This flow period is usually

short and masked by the wellbore storage, but if a
downhole shut-in tool is used, then the analysis of this
flow regime utilizes the normal radial flow equations.
Taking into account that during this period the pressure
response behaves as if the formation thickness is equal
to the length of the open zone, hp. According to this the
Figure 2. Pressure derivative with wellbore storage and no mechanical skin
following equations will apply (Tiab, 2003):

(1a) Wellbore storage. The first characteristic

observed in Figure 3 corresponds to pure wellbore (15)
storage flow. The dimensionless wellbore pressure
approximation for short time governed by spherical
geometry (Joseph, 1984) is given by: (16)

(12) The subscript r1 stands for first radial flow line.

Where tr1 is any convenient time during the first radial
Equation 12 is the well known formulation for flow regime on the log-log plot. ∆Pr1 and (t*∆P’)r1 are
wellbore depletion which is identical to the results the values corresponding to tr1.

Figure 4. Pressure derivative type curves for a vertical well with

partial completion for different penetration
Figure 3. Pressure response in a well with partial completion ratios (b = hp/h) in radial and spherical symmetry

CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005 83

 KATHERINE MONCADA et al.

(1c) Intersection point. As shown in Figure 4, for

analytical simulation runs using their respective co- (20)
ordinate systems, the -½-slope line corresponding to
the spherical flow and the late radial flow line of the Combining Equations 17.a and 20 leads to:
dimensionless pressure derivative in spherical sym-
metry intersect at:
(21)
(2a) Spherical flow. From the dimensionless well-
bore pressure approximation governed by spherical
geometry (Joseph, 1984), Equation 7, the dimensionless
pressure derivative is given by:
Equating the above two expression will yield:

(22)

Substituting Equation 9.a into the above expression 1

(tD * PD ') = t D −1/ 2
and solving for the intersection time in field units, it 2 p (22.a)
yields:
Taking logarithm to both sides of the above expres-
sion:
(17.a)
Equation 17.a can be used to estimate either rsw or (23)
ksp. Another equation to define this intersection time The slope of this straight line is -½, which is a unique
can be found from the -½-slope line corresponding to characteristic of spherical flow regime. Substituting the
the spherical flow and the late radial flow line of the dimensionless terms in Equation 23 and solving for the
dimensionless pressure derivative, but this time in pressure derivative it results:
radial symmetry. Knowing from Figure 4 that:

(24)
being,

At the intercept the above equations are equal, then: (25)

Taking logarithm to both sides of Equation 24
(17.b) gives:

In radial geometry, the dimensioness pressure deriva-

tive and time, respectively, defined in field units are: (22.b)

This expression shows that a plot of measured t*∆P’

(18) versus time on a log-log graph will yield a straight line
of slope –½ when spherical flow is dominant. Combin-
ing Equations 24 with 25 and solving for ksp yields:
(19)
Now, substituting Equation 19 into Equation 17.b
and solving for the intersection time, ti, in field units: (26)

84 CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005

 DETERMINATION OF VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL PERMEABILITIES

Substituting the dimensionless groups in Equation instead of a sphere. Then, Equation 2 also applies to
7 will yield: hemispherical flow and the dimensionless pressure de-
rivative will be then equal to the one for spherical flow
(27) (Equation 22). It should also be noted that the suffix
where; sp ought to be changed by hs indicating hemispheri-
cal flow. Figure 5 shows a log-log plot of the pressure
and pressure derivative versus dimensionless time for
a partial penetrated well. This is then to the one for
spherical flow (Equation 22). The dimensionless vari-
ables suggested by Joseph (1984) will differ only by
replacing the geometric factor 4π by 2π. Equation 22.a
corresponds to the early-time straight line. The slope
An expression relating the spherical flow portion of of this straight line is also -½. Again, substituting the
the pressure and the pressure derivative can be derived dimensionless terms in Equation 22.a and solving for
by dividing Equation 24 with Equation 27 to yield: the pressure derivative, it yields:

(28) (30)
Solving for the spherical skin, ssp, the following where:
Equation is obtained:

(31)
(29) Taking logarithm to both sides of Equation 30
The subscript sp stands for spherical flow. ∆Psp gives:
and (t*∆P’)sp are the values of pressure and pressure
derivative corresponding to an arbitrary value of tsp on (32)
the spherical flow straight line.
Also, a plot of t*∆P’ versus t on a log-log graph will
(2b) Hemispherical flow. This is considered as a yield a straight line of slope –½ when hemispherical
special case of spherical flow, and it should be realized flow is dominant. Combining Equations 30 and 31 and
that all results developed under spherical flow extend solving for khs yields:
over directly for hemispherical flow applications with
only minor modifications. The obvious observation is
that the flow is now contained within a hemisphere (33)
where;

(34)
Substituting the dimensionless terms in Equation
7 leads to:

(35)
being:

Figure 5. Pressure Response in a well with partial penetration

illustrating characteristic points and lines
(36)

CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005 85

 KATHERINE MONCADA et al.

Substituting an expression similar to Equation 9.a

in hemispherical coordinates into the above expression
(37)
and solving for, ti, the intersection time in field units,
An expression relating the hemispherical flow por- it yields:
tion of the pressure and the pressure derivative can
be obtained by dividing Equation 35 with Equation
(40.a)
30, thus:
Equation 40.a can be used to estimate either rsw or
khs. Another equation to define this intersection time
(38) can be found from the -½-slope line corresponding to
Solving for the skin, shs, the following Equation the hemispherical flow and the late radial flow line of
is obtained: the dimensionless pressure derivative but, this time, in
radial symmetry. From Figure 6 we know that:

(39)
(40.b)
Where ∆Phs and (t*∆P’)hs are the values correspond-
ing to any arbitrary time, ths, on the hemispherical flow
straight line. At the intercept the above equations are equal, then:
(2c) Intersection point. As shown in Figure 6, for
analytical simulation runs using their respective coordi-
(41)
nate systems, the negative half-slope line corresponding
to the hemispherical flow and the late radial flow line of Substituting Equation 19 into Equation 40.b and
the dimensionless pressure derivative in hemispherical solving for ti in field units:
symmetry intersect at:

(42)
Combining Equations 40.a and 42 will yield:

Equating the above two expression will yield: (43)

(3) Late radial flow. For the analysis of this flow
regime the normal radial flow equation applies con-
sidering the total formation thickness. Permeability
and mechanical skin can be calculated according to
Tiab (2003):

(44)

(45)
Subscript r2 stands for the second radial flow line.
Being tr2 any convenient time during the radial flow line
Figure 6. Pressure derivative type curves for a vertical well with partial on the log-log plot. ∆Pr2 and (t*∆P’)r2 are the values
penetration in radial and hemispherical symmetry corresponding to tr2.

86 CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005

 DETERMINATION OF VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL PERMEABILITIES

Important considerations corresponding to the wellbore storage flow regime and

One of the purposes of this study was to determine take any convenient t and ∆P values on the unit-slope
the range of values for the dimensionless wellbore line and estimate C from (Tiab and Escobar, 2003):
storage, CD based upon Equation 11.b, that can mis-
lead the interpretation of spherical/hemispherical flow
(46)
regime. A better understanding can be reached plotting
(tD*PD’) vs. tD/CD as shown in Figure 2. Notice that If no wellbore storage effect is seen, an initial radial
for values of CD < 10, the -½-slope behavior can be flow regime may develop. Then, the normal radial flow
easily identified while for CD around 100, the -½ slope equations will apply, taking into account that during
is more difficult to observe. Definitely, for CD > 100, this period the pressure response behaves as if the
the spherical/hemispherical flow regime is completely formation thickness is equal to the length of the open
masked by wellbore storage effects and this will make interval, hp. Permeability and skin can be calculated
impossible to apply the method here established to using Equations 15 and 16, respectively.
calculate vertical permeability.
Step 2. Draw a straight line with slope of -½, char-
acteristic of the spherical/hemispherical flow regime.
Select any convenient time tsp during spherical/hemi-
spherical flow and read the corresponding value of
(t*∆P’)sp. Then, ksp (or khs) can be readily calculated
using either Equation 26 or 33.
Step 3. Also from the -½-slope straight line the
spherical or hemispherical skin, ssp or shs, can be ob-
tained using either Equation 29 or 39, respectively.
Step 4. From the infinite-acting line, select any
convenient time tr and read ∆Pr and (t*∆P’)r. Then, the
value of radial permeability (horizontal permeability)
and total skin factor can be calculated with Equations
44 and 45.

Figure 7. Pressure Derivative considering different lengths of partial Step 5. kV can be estimated using either Equation
penetration (CD = 0, s = 0) 5 or 34, for spherical or hemispherical flow regime,
respectively.
The length of the completed interval or the partial
penetration length, hp, also plays an important role on Step 6. Calculate the anisotropy index, IA, using
the definition of the spherical/hemispherical flow as Equation 47.
described in Figure 7. The characteristic slope of -½ is
absent for penetration ratios greater than 40 %.
(47)

TDS TECHNIQUE PROCEDURE Step 7. Knowing the mechanical and the total skin
the partial penetration expressed as a skin factor can
The following procedure can be used to calculate be calculated from:
and verify values of C, ksp or khs, kH, kV and st from a
log-log plot of pressure and pressure derivatives versus (48)
time without type curve matching (Moncada, 2004).
Step 8. For verification purposes, it is recommended
Step 1. Plot pressure and pressure derivative on a log- to use either Equations 17.a, 20 and 21 (spherical flow)
log paper. If given the case, draw the early unit-slope line or Equations 40.a, 42 and 43 (hemispherical flow).

CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005 87

 KATHERINE MONCADA et al.

Note: This step-by-step procedure can also be

applied to gas wells (Zamora and Nese, 2005) by
changing Equations 46, 15, 16, 26, 33, 29, 33, 44 and
45 (appearing chronologically in the procedure) by
Equations A.9 through A.17.

EXAMPLES

Field example 1
Table 1 contains drawdown test data taken from Ab-
bott et al. (1978). Well No. 20 is partially completed in Figure 8. Pressure and pressure derivative plot for Well No. 20, field
a massive carbonate reservoir. The well was shut-in for example 1
stabilization and then was flowing at 5200 BOPD for 8,5
h. Reservoir and fluid parameters are given in Table 1b. (∆P)N =23 psi and tN= 1 h. Then, C of 16,01 bbl/psi is
calculated using Equation 46.
Table 1b. Reservoir, well and rock data for field example 1
Step 2. (t* ∆P’)sp=56,25 psi, (∆P)sp=96 psi and tsp
= 4,5 are read from the -½-slope line. ksp=8,05 md is
Property Value Property Value found with Equation 26.
h, ft 302 rw, ft 0,246
Step 3. Also from the -½-slope straight line a
hp, ft 20 q, bpd 5200
spherical mechanical skin, ssp = -0,87 is obtained using
ø, % 0,2 µ, cp 0,21 Equation 29.
ct, psi-1 34,2x10-6 Bo, rb/STB 1,7
Pi, psia 2298 Step 4. From the late radial flow regime, tr2 = 7,5
h, ∆Pr2 = 120 psi and (t*∆P’)r2 = 52,2 psi are read, a
value of the horizontal permeability of 8,26 md is esti-
Solution mated by means of Equation 44 and a total skin factor
of -5,33 is found with Equation 45.
Step 1. The pressure and pressure derivative plot
is given in Figure 6. From the unit-slope line we read Step 5. kV = 7,64 md is estimated using Equation 5.

Table 1. Pressure data for field example 1

t, h Pwf, psia ∆P, psia t*∆P’, psia t, h Pwf, psia ∆P, psia t*∆P’, psia
0,0 2266,0 0,0 4,0 2178,0 88,0 60,0
0,5 2255,0 11,0 11,5 4,5 2170,0 96,0 56,3
1,0 2243,0 23,0 24,5 5,5 2161,0 105,0 46,8
1,6 2228,0 38,0 40,0 6,0 2157,0 109,0 48,0
2,0 2218,0 48,0 45,0 6,5 2153,0 113,0 52,0
2,5 2208,0 58,0 52,5 7,0 2149,0 117,0 49,0
3,0 2197,0 69,0 69,0 7,5 2146,0 120,0 52,5
3,5 2185,0 81,0 66,5 8,0 2142,0 124,0 48,0
8,5 2140,0 126,0

88 CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005

 DETERMINATION OF VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL PERMEABILITIES

Step 6. An IA value of 0,92 is estimated with Equa- Solution

tion 47. This value is not significantly less than 1, but Step 1. The pressure and pressure derivative plot is
it still indicates an anisotropic reservoir. shown in Figure 9. On the initial radial flow regime
values of (t*∆P’)r1= 20 psi, (∆P)r1= 348,3 psi and tr1
Step 7. Since the value of the mecanical skin is
= 0,009 h are read. A radial permeability value of 81,1
unknown because the initial radial flow is not seen, the
md is calculated using Equation 15 and a skin factor
partial penetration skin can be calculated using using
of 5,15 is found by means of Equation 16.
the following expression (Brons and Marting, 1961):

(49)
for spherical flow,

(50)
For hemispherical flow, the 2 in the denominator of
Equation 50 ought to be removed.

(51)
then, hD = 659,25; G = 1,57 and sc = 7,46 are es- Figure 9. Pressure and pressure derivative plot for simulated example 1

timated.
Step 2. From the -½-slope straight line, at ths = 1,06
Simulated example 1
h, the following data are obtained: (t*∆P’)hs= 1,62 psi
Using a numerical simulator a pressure buildup test and (∆P)hs= 419,28 psi. khs of 54,7 md can be calcu-
for an oil well with partial penetration has been simu- lated using Equation 33.
lated using the same reservoir parameters presented by
Joseph and Koederitz (1985), (Table 2) and the pressure Step 3. A value of shs of 0,41 is estimated with
data is provided in Table 3. Equation 39.

Table 2. Reservoir, well and rock data used for simulation examples

Simulated example 1 (Oil well) Simulated example 2 (Gas well)

Property Value Property Value Property Value Property Value
kH, md 80 rw, ft 0,417 h, ft 100 rw, ft 0,3
kV, md 24 pwf, Psia 3850 hp, ft 13 qg, Mscf 2000
kv/kH 0.3 q, bpd 248 ø, % 25 µg, cp 0,0267
h, ft 350 µ, cp 2,18 ct, psi-1 3,0 *10-6 zi 1,003
hp, ft 28 Bo, rb/STB 1,19 m(Pi), psi2/cp 935369677.7 T, ºR 671,67
ø, % 8 s 5 kh, md-ft 3000
co, psi-1 1,03x10-5 CD 0
cf, psi-1 1,7x10-6 t p, h 200
ct, psi-1 1,2x10-5

CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005 89

 KATHERINE MONCADA et al.

Table 3. Pressure data for simulated example 1

t, h Pwf, psia ∆P, psia t*∆P’, psia t, h Pwf, psia ∆P, psia t*∆P’, psia
0 4145,7 304,2 20,2 1,3 4252,6 411,1 4,9
0,002 4154,5 313,1 20,2 1,8 4254,1 412,6 4,2
0,003 4165,6 324,2 20,2 2,8 4255,7 414,3 3,4
0,006 4178,9 337,4 20,1 3,9 4256,8 415,3 2,9
0,01 4189,8 348,3 19,6 4,9 4257,4 415,9 2,6
0,017 4200,2 358,8 18,6 7,5 4258,4 416,9 2,2
0,029 4210 368,6 17,3 9,4 4258,8 417,4 2
0,07 4224,2 382,7 15,5 11,7 4259,2 417,8 1,8
0,1 4219,1 377,7 15,8 16,2 4259,8 418,3 1,7
0,2 4235,8 394,4 11,7 20,1 4260,1 418,7 1,6
0,3 4240,6 399,2 10 25 4260,4 419 1,6
0,4 4243,7 402,3 8,8 31,1 4260,7 419,3 1,6
0,7 4248,8 407,3 6,7 38,6 4261 419,6 1,6
1 4250,8 409,4 5,8 48 4261,3 419,9 1,6

Step 4. At tr2=31,05 hr (late radial flow regime), we Step 5. kV is found to be 25,79 md using Equation 34.
read (t*∆P’)r2= 1,62 psi and (∆P)r2= 419,28 psi. Then,
kr of 80,1 md is determined with Equation 44 and st of Step 6. An IA of 0,32 is determined with Equation 47.
121,8 can be calculated using Equation 45. Step 7. Since b = 0,08, a partial penetration skin of
57,42 is found with Equation 48.

Table 4. Pseudopressure data for simulated example 2

Δt, (h) m(P), Δm(P), t*Δm(P)’ Δt, (h) m(P), Δm(P), t*Δm(P)’,
(psi2/cp) (psi2/cp) (psi2/cp) (psi2/cp) (psi2/cp) (psi2/cp)
0,0001 927562604,5 7807073,188 1986070 0,1600 916444706,1 18924971,56 464872
0,0002 926180835,8 9188841,822 2034200 0,2261 916296574,7 19073102,98 399896
0,0004 924770335,2 10599342,49 2052510 0,3193 916170672,4 19199005,28 355218
0,0006 923948349,4 11421328,29 2037370 0,4511 916052184 19317493,66 330527
0,0008 923368344,2 12001333,52 2015680 0,6372 915941108,1 19428569,56 320546
0,0014 922231170,5 13138507,14 1945070 1 915800421,6 19569256,03 318028
0,0025 921150390,7 14219286,96 1839910 1,4 915693062,9 19676614,75 318283
0,0101 918894311,6 16475366,05 1421470 2 915582008,8 19787668,87 318560
0,0201 918015635,3 17354042,34 1141880 2,6 915500573,4 19869104,28 318626
0,0402 917330040,9 18039636,79 870852 3,6 915396933,6 19972744,11 318624
0,0568 917055874,8 18313802,86 750153 4,6 915319207,5 20050470,13 318604
0,0802 916818791,3 18550886,42 641988 7 915189671,5 20180006,17 318577
0,1133 916615072,1 18754605,61 546606 9,7 915086049,3 20283628,39 318567

90 CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005

 DETERMINATION OF VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL PERMEABILITIES

Table 5. Comparison of results between conventional and TDS methods

Field example 1 Simulated example 1 - oil Simulated example 2 – gas

Parameters Conventional TDS Conventional TDS Conventional TDS
C, bbl/psi 16,01 16,01 - -
ksp, md 7,81 8,05 - -
ssp 0 0 - -
khs, md - - 52,51 54,7 9,27 8,64
shs - - 0 0 -0,84 -0,84
kr1, md - - 81,22 81,1 35,8 35,6
kr2, md 8,19 9,04 80,78 80,1 30,82 29,9
sr1 - - 4,86 5,15 -4,6 -4,95
sr2 -5,03 -5,26 119 121,8 23,5 22,65
kV, md 7,10 6,38 22,18 25,79 0,84 0,72
sc (or sc’) 7,46 56,93 57,57 36,38 36,73

Simulated example 2 Step 2. From the -½-slope straight line, at ths = 0,127128
Table 4 presents synthetic pseudopressure data for hr, the following data are obtained: (t*∆m(P’))hs=
drawdown test in a gas well generated with the data 517729 psi2/cp and (∆m(P))hs=18813865,1 psi2/cp. khs
given in Table 2. Estimate permeabilities, pseudoskin of 8,64 md can be calculated using Equation A.13.
and skin factors using TDS technique.
Step 3. A value of shs of -0,84 is estimated with
Equation A.15.
Solution
Step 1. Figure 10 presents the pressure and pres- Step 4. At tr2= 2,3 h (late radial flow regime),
sure derivative plot for this simulated example. Val- we read (t*∆P’) r2 = 318606 psi 2 /cp and (∆P) r2 =
ues of (t*∆m(P’))r1= 2052510 psi2/cp, (∆m(P))r1= 19832088,6 psi2/cp. Then, kr of 29,99 md is found using
10599342,5 psi2/cp and tr1 = 0,0004 h are read. A radial Equation A.16 and st’ of 22,5 is determined by means
permeability value of 35,8 md is calculated using Equa- of Equation A.17
tion A.10 and a skin factor of -4,95 is determinated with
Step 5. kV is found to be 0,72 md using Equa-
Equation A.11.
tion 34.
Step 6. IA = 0,024 is determined with Equation 47.
Step 7. Since b = 0,13, a partial penetration skin of
36,73 is calculated using Equation 48.
Note: Although not shown here, the examples
were also worked using conventional techniques and
reported in Table 5 for comparison purposes. Perme-
abilities may be verified using either Equations 17.a,
20, 21, 40.a, 42, or 43 for the given case. Also, for gas
wells, it should be taken into account that pseudoskin
factors and rapid flow conditions have to be included to
find the true skin factor as explained with great detail
Figure 10. Pseudopressure and pseudopressure derivative plot for
simulated example 2 in Núñez-García et al. (2003).

CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005 91

 KATHERINE MONCADA et al.

CONCLUSIONS Boussalem, R., Tiab, D., and Escobar, F. H., 2002. “Effect of
Mobility Ratio on the Pressure and Pressure Derivative
Behaviors of Wells in Closed Composite Reservoirs”.
•• equations based
Analytical equations based upon
uponpressure
pressurederivative
derivative SPE Western Regional Mtg./AAPG Pacific Section Joint
for a homogeneous reservoir are presented for well Mtg., Anchorage, Alaska. SPE 76781.
vertical gas
test interpretation of vertical gas and
and oil
oil wells
wells par-
par-
tially completed and partially penetrated including Bringham, W. E., Peden, J. M., Ng. K. F., and O’Neill, N.,
wellbore storage and skin effects. 1980. “The Analysis of Spherical Flow with Wellbore
Storage”. 55th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibi-

•• plotof
The log-log plot ofpressure
pressurederivative
derivativeversus
versustime
timepro-
pro-
tion, Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.. SPE 9294.
vides much more information about partially completed Brons, F. and Marting, V. E., 1961. “The Effect of Restricted
or partially penetrated vertical wells than conventional Fluid Entry on Well Productivity,” Trans., AIME, 222.
methods based on pressure vs. time plots.
Chacón, A., Djebrouni, A. and Tiab, D., 2004. “Determining
•• with slope
A straight line with slope of
of negative
negative one-half
one-halfwaswas the Average Reservoir Pressure from Vertical and Hori-
zontal Well Test Analysis Using the Tiab’s Direct Synthe-
unique characteristic
identified as the unique characteristic of
of the
the pres-
pres-
sis Technique”. SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference
sure derivative plot if spherical/hemispherical flow
and Exhibition, Perth, Australia. SPE 88619.
regime is present.
Chatas, A. T., 1966. “Unsteady Spherical Flow in Petroleum
•• corresponding to
The straight line corresponding to the
the spherical
sphericaloror Reservoirs”, SPEJ, 102.
flow regime
hemispherical flow regime can
can bebe used
used to
to calcu-
calcu-
late the spherical/hemispherical permeability and Cherifi, M., Tiab, D., and Escobar, F. H., 2002. “Determina-
spherical/hemis-phericalskin.
spherical/hemis-pherical skin. These
These parameters
parameters are tion of Fracture Orientation by Multi-Well Interference
are necessary
necessary to estimate
to estimate vertical
vertical permeability.
permeability. Testing”. SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and
Exhibition, Melbourne, Australia. SPE 77949.

•• coordinates (Equation
Using radial coordinates 11.b), either
(Equation 11.b), either Culham, W. E., 1974. “Pressure Buildup Equations for
hemispherical flow
the spherical or hemispherical flow regime
regime isiscom-
com- Spherical Flow Regime Problems”, SPEJ 545.
pletely masked for dimensionless wellbore storage
values greater than 10 and penetration ratios higher Earlougher, R.C., Jr., 1997. “Advances in Well Test Analysis”,
than 40 . Monograph Series, 5, SPE, Dallas, TX., U.S.A..

•• SynthesisTechnique
The Tiab’s Direct Synthesis Techniquewaswasextended
extended Engler, T. and Tiab, D., 1996. “Analysis of Pressure and
Pressure Derivative without Type Curve Matching, 4.
for vertical gas and oil wells with partial completion
Naturally Fractured Reservoirs”. J. of Petroleum Scien.
or partial penetration and its practical step-by-step and Engineering ,15, 127-138.
procedure is presented. It leads to more accurate
results compared with conventional methods. Escobar, F. H., Tiab, D. and Berumen-Campos, S., 2003.
“Well Pressure Behavior of a Finite-Conductivity Frac-
tured Well Intersecting a Sealing Fault”. Oil and gas
REFERENCES SPE Asia Pacific Conference and Exhibition, Jakarta,
Indonesia. SPE 80547.

Abbott, W. A., Collins, T., Tippie, D. B., Van Pollen, H. K., Escobar, F. H., Muñoz, O.F. and Sepúlveda J.A., 2004. “Hori-
1978. “Practical Application of Spherical Flow Transient zontal Permeability Determination from the Elliptical
Analysis” 53rd Annual Fall Technical Conference and Flow Regime for Horizontal Wells”. CT&F – Ciencia,
Exhibition of the SPE of AIME. TX, U.S.A. SPE 7435. Tecnología y Futuro, 2 (5): 83-95.

Al-Hussainy, R., Ramey, H. J. and Crawford P. B., 1966. Escobar, F. H., Saavedra, N. F., Escorcia, G. D., and Polanía,
“The Flow of Real Gases Through Porous Media”, JPT, J. H., 2004. “Pressure and Pressure Derivative Analysis
624-36; Trans., AIME, 237. Without Type-Curve Matching for Triple Porosity

92 CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005

 DETERMINATION OF VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL PERMEABILITIES

Reservoirs”. SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference Conference and Exhibition. Melbourne, Australia. SPE
and Exhibition (APOGCE), Perth, Australia. SPE 77951.
88556.
Miller, F. G., 1962. “Theory of Unsteady-State influx of
Escobar, F. H., Saavedra, N.F., Hernández, C.M., Hernández, Water in Linear Reservoirs,” J. Inst. Pet. .48, (467):
Y.A., Pilataxi, J.F., and Pinto, D.A., 2004. “Pressure and 365-379.
Pressure Derivative Analysis for Linear Homogeneous
Reservoirs without Using Type-Curve Matching”. 28th Moncada, K., 2004. “Application of TDS Technique to Cal-
Annual SPE International Technical Conference and culate Vertical and Horizontal Permeabilities for Vertical
Exhibition, Abuja, Nigeria, Aug. 2-4. SPE 88874. Wells with Partial Completion and Partial Penetration”.
M.S. Thesis. The University of Oklahoma.
Escobar, F. H., Tiab, D. and Jokhio, S.A., 2003. “Characteri-
zation of Leaky Boundaries from Transient Pressure Anal- Mongi, A., and Tiab, D., 2002. “Application of Tiab’s Direct
ysis”. Production and Operations Symposium, Oklahoma Synthesis Technique to Multi-Rate Tests” Presented at
City, Oklahoma, U.S.A., March 23-25. SPE 80908. the 2000 SPE/AAPG Western Regional Mtg. held in Long
Beach, California, 19–23. SPE 62607.
Guira, B. Tiab, D., and Escobar, F. H., 2002. “Pressure Be-
havior of a Well in an Anisotropic Reservoir Near a No- Morán, J. H and Finlklea, E.E., 1962. “Theoretical Analysis
Flow Boundary”. Proceedings, SPE Western Regional of Pressure Phenomena Associated with the Wireline
Mtg./AAPG Pacific Section Joint Meeting, Anchorage, Formation Tester”, Trans AIME 225, 899.
Alaska. SPE 76772.
Muskat, M., 1932. “Partially Penetrating Wells in Isotropic
Hachlaf, H, Tiab, D. and Escobar, F. H., 2002. “Effect of Formations; Potential Distribution,” Physics, 329.
Variable Injection Rate on Falloff and Injectivity Tests”.
SPE Western regional Meeting/AAPG Pacific Section Núñez-García, Walter, Tiab, D., and Escobar, F. H., 2003.
Joint Meeting, Anchorage, Alaska. SPE 76714. “Transient Pressure Analysis for a Vertical Gas Well
Intersected by a Finite-Conductivity Fracture”. SPE
Ispas, V., and Tiab, D., 1999. “New Method of Analyzing Production and Operations Symposium, Oklahoma City,
the Pressure behavior of a Well Near Multiple Bound- OK., U.S.A., 23–25. SPE 80915.
ary System”. Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum
Engineering Conference, Caracas, Venezuela, April 21- Odeh, A. S., 1968. “Steady-State Flow Capacity of Wells
23, SPE 53933. with Limited Entry to Flow,” Trans., AIME, 243.

Jokhio, S. A., Tiab, D., Hadjaz, A. and Escobar, F. H., 2001. Proett, M. A. and Chin, W. C., 1998. “New Exact Spherical
“Pressure Injection and Falloff Analysis in Water Injection Flow Solution with Storage for Early-time Test Interpre-
Wells Using the Tiab’s Direct Synthesis Technique”. SPE tation with Applications to Early-Evaluation Drillstem
Permian Basin oil and Gas recovery conference, Midland, and Wireline Formation Testing,” SPE Permian Basin
TX., USA. SPE 70035. Oil and Gas Recovery Conference, Midland, TX., USA.
SPE 39768.
Joseph, J. A.,1983. “Unsteady-State Cylindrical and Spheri-
cal flow in Porous Media,” Report No. USDI G1124129, Raghavan R. and Clark K. K., 1975. “Vertical Permeability
Missouri Mining and Mineral Resources Research Inst., from Limited Entry Flow Tests in Thick Formations,”
Rolla, MO. SPEJ, 65-73.

Joseph, J.A., 1984. “Unsteady-State Cylindrical, Spherical Streltsova-Adams T. D., 1979. “Pressure Drawdown in a
and Linear flow in Porous Media” Ph.D. Dissertation, Well with Limited Entry,” Soc. Petroleum Engineer., J.,
University of Missouri-Rolla. 1469-1476.

Joseph, J. A., and Koederitz, L. F., 1985. “Unsteady-State Tiab, D., 1993. “Analysis of Pressure and Pressure Deriva-
Spherical Flow With Storage and Skin,” SPEJ, 804-822. tive without Type-Curve Matching: 1- Skin Factor and
Wellbore Storage”. Production Operations Symposium,
Khelifa, M., Tiab, D., and Escobar F. H., 2002. “Multirate Oklahoma City, OK., March 21-23. SPE 25423, 203-216.
Test in Horizontal Wells”. SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Also, J. Petroleum Scien. and Engineer., 171-181.

CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005 93

 KATHERINE MONCADA et al.

Tiab, D., 1994. “Analysis of Pressure Derivative without

Type-Curve Matching: Vertically Fractured Wells in
Closed Systems”. J. Petroleum Scien. and Engineer.,
323-333. 1993 SPE Western Regional Mtg., Anchorage,
Alaska.

Tiab, D., Azzougen, A., Escobar, F. H., and Berumen, S.,

1999. “Analysis of Pressure Derivative Data of a Fi-
nite-Conductivity Fractures by the ‘Direct Synthesis
Technique’.” Mid-Continent Operations Symposium
Oklahoma City, OK., March 28-31. SPE 52201: Latin
American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineer., Confer-
ence, Caracas, Venezuela, April 21-23.

Tiab, D., y Escobar, F. H., 2003. “Determinación del

Parámetro de Flujo Interporoso de un Gráfico Semiloga-
rítmico”. X Congreso Colombiano del Petróleo. Bogotá,
Colombia, 2005.

Zamora, R. A. and Nese, S. L., 2005. “Análisis de Presión

y Derivada de Presión en Yacimientos de Gas con Com-
pletamiento y Penetración Parcial”. B.S. Thesis. Univer-
sidad Surcolombiana. Neiva, Huila, Colombia.

94 CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005

 DETERMINATION OF VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL PERMEABILITIES

APPENDIX A

(A.12)
Gas Equations
Al-Hussainy (1966) introduced the pseudopressure
defined as:
(A.13)

(A.1)
(A.14)
The pseudopressure difussivity equation is:

(A.2) (A.15)

The dimensionless pseudopressure in radial, spheri-

cal and hemispherical symmetries, respectively, are: (A.16)

(A.3)
(A.17)
(A.4)

(A.5)
The dimensionless pseudopressure derivatives in
radial, spherical and hemispherical symmetries, re-
spectively, are:

(A.6)

(A.7)

(A.8)

(A.9)

(A.10)

(A.11)

CT&F - Ciencia, Tecnología y Futuro - Vol. 3 Núm. 1 Dic. 2005 95

View publication stats