GAS WELL DELIVERABILITY - Backpressure Test

Absolute Open Flow Potential


INPUT   DATA EXAMPLE Of Input/Output

Title  

Period Rate   Pressure (pwf
  (Mscfd)  (psia) 
Shut-in 0
1
2
3
4


     Reset


OUTPUT   VARIABLES   &   GRAPHS

Exponent, n  
Angle of slope, θ degrees
Performance coefficient, C
AOF potential Mscfd

Period   Flow rate   Presure (pwf)   pR2 - pwf2 
 (Mscfd)  psia  psia2
Shut-in
1
2
3
4

THEORY  &   FORMULAE

Absolute Open Flow Potential (Gas well)

Gas well deliverability test (also referred as conventional backpressure test, flow-after-flow test), consists of a series of three or more flow periods, with pressures, rates and other data recorded as a function of time. It is used primarily to estimate the AOF (absolute open flow) potential of the well.

The AOF potential is the rate corresponding to atmospheric pressure at the sandface. The AOF value is used to compare the producing potential of different wells, deliverability schedule, design surface equipment and by government agencies to set allowables. The most common of the backpressure tests (the 4-point test) is implemented here.

The backpressure equation is given as:

q = C[pR2-pwf2]n

where
     q = gas flow rate, Mscfd
     q* = AOF rate, Mscfd
     pR = average reservoir pressure at well shut-in, psia
     pwf = flow wellbore pressure @ sandface, psia
     C = performance coefficient, (Mscfd)/[1000psia]2n
     n = an exponent (1/n = slope of the deliverability straight line)
     θ = angle which the deliverability line makes with the vertical
     tanθ = n

To analyse the test, a log-log plot is made of [pR2-pwf2] versus q2, and a best-fitting straight line is drawn through the plot points. Thus, the unknowns - C, n, θ and q* - can be determined.

Tips

    ◊ Use link EXAMPLE Of Input/Output  to demo data entry expectations and results; you may edit & use it as starting point
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BIBLIOGRAPHY