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A Drill Stem Test (DST) is essentially a production test which can be conducted at any point during

the drilling or production process. Once the tools are set the zone is isolated from the rest of the
well. When the down hole valve is opened the formation is under balanced allowing production and a
flow rate to be obtained. Once a stabilized flow rate has been achieved the down hole valve is
closed for a shut in period which gives the formation the time it needs to recover back to a stabilized
formation pressure.
Multiple flow periods and shut in periods can be achieved by manipulating the string and the data
recorded via the electronic downhole gauges. The data is used for analysis, giving the operator a
formation interpretation including permeability, reservoir pressure, formation damage and reservoir
anomalies. Real Time Telemetry can also be added to the string to monitor flow and shut in periods
allowing the operator to reduce or extend these periods when adequate data has been obtained and
therefore reducing rig time and costs.

Open hole DSTs are conducted with the use of a drilling rig while the well is being drilled. At any time
in the drilling process, when a zone of interest requires evaluation a string of DST tools can be
attached to the bottom of the drill string and set in place to isolate and evaluate the zone. Similarly in
the case of cased hole DSTs the zones of interest can be perforated, and then isolated with the use
of a DST string. This temporary completion can be used for production testing to obtain optimum
flow rates, stabilized formation pressures and the in situ characteristics of the reservoir.
There are many benefits for an operator in conducting DSTs. The benefits are financial and can be
critical to the evaluation and processes for maximum production and return from the given well or
field. The information gathered from DSTs allows the operator to evaluate the well before outlaying
the cost of running expensive production equipment. These savings can result in staying under
budget and completing the full drilling program. For maximum production and returns from a field,
the production wells must be drilled with minimum impact or damage to the reservoir. Conducting
DSTs gives the operator the data needed to analyse and compare the results pre and post
production. This information can be critical in adjusting drilling practices to minimise the impact and
damage to the reservoir, ensuring maximum production and life of the field.

Drillstem Testing
Drillstem Testing (DST) is a valuable tool in the oil and natural gas extraction process. Drillstem Testing is
a procedure to determine the productive capacity, pressure, permeability or extent of an oil or gas
reservoir. Drillstem testing is essentially a flow test, which is performed on isolated formations of interest

to determine the fluids present and the rate at which they can be produced. By employing parts such as a
DST bottom hole assemblies (BHA) application tests can be done to determine the viability and
commercial productivity of a well within an accelerated time line as well providing lower financial risk
compared to conventional well testing methods.
Basic Drill Stem BHA consist of a packer or packers, which act as an expanding plug to be used to isolate
sections of the well for the testing process, valves that may be opened or closed from the surface during
the test, and recorders used to document pressure during the test. In addition to packers a down hole
valve is used to open and close the formation to measure reservoir characteristics such as pressure and
temperature which are charted on down hole recorders within the BHA.

Applications of drillstem testing:


Drillstem testing can be performed in both Open & Cased hole wells

Open Hole
Because it's performed before casing is run, open hole drillstem testing can be the most economical way
to determine the productivity of an oil or gas reservoir. The testing equipment is run into the well and the
zone of interest is isolated using inflate or conventional-set packers, depending on your requirements and
drilling conditions.

Cased Hole
Performed after the well is cased Drillstem Testing uses the same technology as testing in open hole
wells. Cased hole testing in the most economical way of re-evaluating old wells or retrieving data from
new well where casing has had to be run due to poor well conditions. Both Inflate and Conventional DST
Tools can be Run In Hole to isolate perforations in casing to retrieve well data.

Drill-stem Testing
Petroleum Processes

Drill-stem testing (DST) is a procedure used in the petroleum industry to


determine the productive capacity,and permeability of a potential petroleum
reservoir zone. It is comprised primarily of a flow test on isolated rock
formations that indicate the possibility and presence of an oil reservoir. DST,
is used primarily on exploratory oil wells and gas wells, to ascertain their
commercial productivity.[1]
A typical test is made up of several flow and shut in periods or sequences
during which reservoir data is recorded. The most common sequence for a
DST test consists of short flow periods of five to ten minutes (pre-flow). This
may be followed by a "buildup" period of an hour or more to determine the
initial reservoir pressure and then a longer flow period (main flow). This is a

longer time of four to 24 hours to determine both permeability thickness


and flow potential. Then the well would be shut in for a longer period which
enables a more precise look at the reservoir variables (main flow). [2] The
main objectives behind drill-stem testing is to maximize oil reserves,
accelerate the exploration schedule and reduce oil production costs and risks
associated with drilling.[3]
[edit]

Process

A DST tool is attached to the bottom of the drill string and lowered to a point
opposite the formation to be tested. The DST tool is equipped with
expandable seals (packers) that permit the formation being tested to be
isolated from the rest of the borehole. The drill pipe is also emptied (run in
dry) of all drilling mud so formation fluid can enter into the drill string. When
the flow and shut-in time periods have been done, openings(flow valve) in
the DST tool are closed off and the drill string is brought up to the surface.
The contents inside the drill string are measured. The amount of gas and oil
that flow into the drill string during the test and the recorded pressures are
analyzed to determine the productive capacity of the formation. Similar type
tools exist that can also seal off and test a formation inside a cased well bore
or can provide a small sample of the reservoir fluid being produced. [4]

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Equipment http://www.ritchiewiki.com/wiki/index.php/Drillstem_Testing#ixzz3RRvqDJos

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