3.4.

7 Type Curve Matching

A type curve is a graph of dimensionless pressure together with the
corresponding welltest derivative function versus dimensionless time, often on
a log-log scale. Such a graph is a convenient way to present the solution to
the diffusivity equation obtained by numerical computations. Figure 3.17 is
an example of type curves obtained by solving the diffusivity equation in the
presence of wellbore storage and skin. From the definitions of PwD, tD and CD,

BOURDET TYPE CURVES

CDe

100

2S

1060
1050
1040
1030
1020
1015
1010
108
106
104
103
102

PwD - PwD'

10

0.1
0.1

10

100

1000

10000

tD/CD

Figure 3.17. Bourdet et al type curves for a homogeneous reservoir with

wellbore storage and skin for CDe2S from 102 to 1060.

3-37

kh
log PwD = log P + log

141.2q B

(3.91)

tD
2.951x104 kh
log
= log t + log

CD

(3.92)

t
Eqs.(3.91) and (3.92) show that the graph of log PwD versus log D is the
CD

same as the graph of log P versus log t with the axes shifted by the constants
2.951x104 kh

kh
log
log
and

. Thus, the P versus t obtained from a

C
141.2q B

transient pressure test can be matched graphically with the appropriate type
curve to estimate the reservoir and well parameters.
The procedure for using the Bourdet et al.'s type curves to analyze a
transient pressure test is as follows:
1. Prepare a log-log plot of P versus t on tracing paper using the same
scale as the type curves. Use only major grid lines on this plot. This is
the field plot.
2. Slide the field plot over the type curves both vertically and horizontally
to obtain the best match of the PD function and the corresponding
welltest derivative function. Trace the matched type curve on the field
plot to obtain a visual record of the best match.
t
3. Choose a convenient match point and record PDM , D , tM and
CD M

(C

e2 S ) .
M

4. Calculate the formation permeability from the pressure match as

k=

(141.2q B )( PDM )
( h )( PM )
3-38

(3.93)

5. Calculate the wellbore storage coefficient from the time match as

0.0002951kh

( tM )

C=
tD

CD M

(3.94)

6. Calculate the dimensionless wellbore storage coefficient.

7. Calculate the skin factor as
2S
1 ( CD e ) M
S = ln
2 CD

(3.95)

Figure 3.18 shows qualitatively a type match using the Bourdet et al.'s type
curves.

Figure 3.18. Example type curve match.

3-39

3.4.8 Radius of Investigation of a WellTest

An approximate equation for estimating the radius investigated by a
welltest is given by
rinv = 0.03248

kt
ct

(3.96)

where the variables are in oilfield units.

3.4.9 Field Example of a Well Test Analysis
A pressure buildup test was conducted on a new well in a new reservoir with
the results shown in Table 3.5.
Table 3.5: Pressure Buildup Data for Field Example

Pws ( t )

(hrs)
15.33000
15.33417
15.33833
15.34250
15.34667
15.35083
15.35500
15.35917
15.36333
15.36750
15.37583
15.38000
15.38833
15.39667
15.40500
15.41333
15.42583
15.43833
15.45083
15.46333
15.47583
15.49250
15.50917
15.52583
15.54250
15.55917
15.58000

(hrs)
0.00000
0.00417
0.00833
0.01250
0.01667
0.02083
0.02500
0.02917
0.03333
0.03750
0.04583
0.05000
0.05833
0.06667
0.07500
0.08333
0.09583
0.10833
0.12083
0.13333
0.14583
0.16250
0.17917
0.19583
0.21250
0.22917
0.25000

(psia)
3086.33
3090.57
3093.81
3096.55
3100.03
3103.27
3106.77
3110.01
3113.25
3116.49
3119.48
3122.48
3128.96
3135.92
3141.17
3147.64
3161.95
3170.68
3178.39
3187.12
3194.24
3205.96
3216.68
3227.89
3238.37
3249.07
3261.79

3-40

15.62167
15.66333
15.70500
15.74667
15.78833
15.83000
15.87167
15.91333
15.95500
15.99667
16.03833
16.08000
16.14250
16.20500
16.26750
16.33000
16.39250
16.45500
16.51750
16.58000
16.64250
16.70500
16.76750
16.83000
16.95500
17.08000
17.20500
17.33000
17.58000
17.70500
17.83000
18.08000
18.33000
18.58000
18.83000
19.08000
19.33000
19.58000
19.83000
20.08000
20.33000
20.58000
20.83000
21.08000
21.33000
21.58000
22.08000
22.58000
23.08000
23.58000

0.29167
0.33333
0.37500
0.41667
0.45833
0.50000
0.54167
0.58333
0.62500
0.66667
0.70833
0.75000
0.81250
0.87500
0.93750
1.00000
1.06250
1.12500
1.18750
1.25000
1.31250
1.37500
1.43750
1.50000
1.62500
1.75000
1.87500
2.00000
2.25000
2.37500
2.50000
2.75000
3.00000
3.25000
3.50000
3.75000
4.00000
4.25000
4.50000
4.75000
5.00000
5.25000
5.50000
5.75000
6.00000
6.25000
6.75000
7.25000
7.75000
8.25000

3-41

3287.21
3310.15
3334.34
3356.27
3374.98
3394.44
3413.90
3433.83
3448.05
3466.26
3481.97
3493.69
3518.63
3537.34
3553.55
3571.75
3586.23
3602.95
3617.41
3631.15
3640.86
3652.85
3664.32
3673.81
3692.27
3705.52
3719.26
3732.23
3749.71
3757.19
3763.44
3774.65
3785.11
3794.06
3799.80
3809.50
3815.97
3820.20
3821.95
3823.70
3826.45
3829.69
3832.64
3834.70
3837.19
3838.94
3838.02
3840.78
3843.01
3844.52

24.08000
24.58000
25.08000
25.58000
26.08000
26.58000
27.08000
27.58000
28.08000
28.58000
29.08000
29.83000
30.58000
31.33000
32.08000
32.83000
33.58000
34.33000
35.08000
35.83000
36.58000
37.58000
38.58000
39.58000
40.58000
41.58000
42.58000
43.83000
45.33000

8.75000
9.25000
9.75000
10.25000
10.75000
11.25000
11.75000
12.25000
12.75000
13.25000
13.75000
14.50000
15.25000
16.00000
16.75000
17.50000
18.25000
19.00000
19.75000
20.50000
21.25000
22.25000
23.25000
24.25000
25.25000
26.25000
27.25000
28.50000
30.00000

3846.27
3847.51
3848.52
3850.01
3850.75
3851.76
3852.50
3853.51
3854.25
3855.07
3855.50
3856.50
3857.25
3857.99
3858.74
3859.48
3859.99
3860.73
3860.99
3861.49
3862.24
3862.74
3863.22
3863.48
3863.99
3864.49
3864.73
3865.23
3865.74

Other pertinent data are as follows:

Producing time before the test =

15.33 hours

Production rate before the test =

174 STB/D

Wellbore radius

0.29 ft

Formation thickness

107 ft

Porosity

25 %

Total compressibility

4.2x10-6 psi-1

Formation volume factor

1.06 RB/STB

Oil viscosity

2.5 cp

3-42

a.

Screen the pressure data using appropriate diagnostic plots.

b.

Analyze the test data and determine the formation permeability, the
total skin factor and the initial reservoir pressure.

c.

Calculate the radius of investigation of the test.

d.

Simulate the buildup test assuming a homogeneous reservoir with

wellbore storage and skin. Show the best match graphically by
superimposing the simulated and the test data on the plots of P versus
t, log-log diagnostic plots and the Horner plot. What are the values of k,
S and CD , Pwf(tp) and Pi that gave the best match?

The pertinent data for the diagnostic plots and Horner plot are shown in
Table 3.6.
Table 3.6: Calculated Values of P and P'

te

Horner

Pws ( t )

P ' wrt te

P ' wrt t

(hrs)

(hrs)

(hrs)

Time

(psia)

(psi)

(psi)

(psi)

15.33000

0.00000

15.33417

0.00417

0.00417

3677.26

3090.57

4.24

15.33833

0.00833

0.00833

1841.34

3093.81

7.48

5.98

5.98

15.34250

0.01250

0.01249

1227.40

3096.55

10.22

9.33

9.32

15.34667

0.01667

0.01665

920.62

3100.03

13.70

13.46

13.45

15.35083

0.02083

0.02080

736.96

3103.27

16.94

16.88

16.85

15.35500

0.02500

0.02496

614.20

3106.77

20.44

20.24

20.20

15.35917

0.02917

0.02911

526.54

3110.01

23.68

22.73

22.69

15.36333

0.03333

0.03326

460.95

3113.25

26.92

25.98

25.93

15.36750

0.03750

0.03741

409.80

3116.49

30.16

23.96

23.91

15.37583

0.04583

0.04569

335.50

3119.48

33.15

27.55

27.46

15.38000

0.05000

0.04984

307.60

3122.48

36.15

37.07

36.95

15.38833

0.05833

0.05811

263.82

3128.96

42.63

47.21

47.03

3086.33

3-43

15.39667

0.06667

0.06638

230.94

3135.92

49.59

49.03

48.82

15.40500

0.07500

0.07463

205.40

3141.17

54.84

53.03

52.76

15.41333

0.08333

0.08288

184.97

3147.64

61.31

77.43

76.99

15.42583

0.09583

0.09523

160.97

3161.95

75.62

88.83

88.32

15.43833

0.10833

0.10757

142.51

3170.68

84.35

71.73

71.24

15.45083

0.12083

0.11989

127.87

3178.39

92.06

80.09

79.46

15.46333

0.13333

0.13218

115.98

3187.12

100.79

85.25

84.53

15.47583

0.14583

0.14446

106.12

3194.24

107.91

92.29

91.40

15.49250

0.16250

0.16080

95.34

3205.96

119.63

110.52

109.37

15.50917

0.17917

0.17710

86.56

3216.68

130.35

119.27

117.89

15.52583

0.19583

0.19336

79.28

3227.89

141.56

129.06

127.44

15.54250

0.21250

0.20959

73.14

3238.37

152.04

136.87

135.00

15.55917

0.22917

0.22579

67.89

3249.07

162.74

146.06

143.92

15.58000

0.25000

0.24599

62.32

3261.79

175.46

155.10

152.61

15.62167

0.29167

0.28622

53.56

3287.21

200.88

172.44

169.27

15.66333

0.33333

0.32624

46.99

3310.15

223.82

192.65

188.52

15.70500

0.37500

0.36605

41.88

3334.34

248.01

212.55

207.52

15.74667

0.41667

0.40564

37.79

3356.27

269.94

208.64

203.21

15.78833

0.45833

0.44502

34.45

3374.98

288.65

216.24

209.94

15.83000

0.50000

0.48421

31.66

3394.44

308.11

241.12

233.50

15.87167

0.54167

0.52318

29.30

3413.90

327.57

265.11

256.05

15.91333

0.58333

0.56195

27.28

3433.83

347.50

247.95

239.07

15.95500

0.62500

0.60052

25.53

3448.05

361.72

253.29

243.21

15.99667

0.66667

0.63889

23.99

3466.26

379.93

283.06

271.37

16.03833

0.70833

0.67705

22.64

3481.97

395.64

243.76

233.17

16.08000

0.75000

0.71502

21.44

3493.69

407.36

258.62

246.28

16.14250

0.81250

0.77160

19.87

3518.63

432.30

298.44

283.73

16.20500

0.87500

0.82775

18.52

3537.34

451.01

258.25

244.44

16.26750

0.93750

0.88347

17.35

3553.55

467.22

273.98

258.07

16.33000

1.00000

0.93876

16.33

3571.75

485.42

278.26

261.44

16.39250

1.06250

0.99363

15.43

3586.23

499.90

283.74

265.20

16.45500

1.12500

1.04809

14.63

3602.95

516.62

301.05

280.62

16.51750

1.18750

1.10213

13.91

3617.41

531.08

288.60

267.90

16.58000

1.25000

1.15576

13.26

3631.15

544.82

253.30

234.50

16.64250

1.31250

1.20899

12.68

3640.86

554.53

247.56

227.85

3-44

16.70500

1.37500

1.26182

12.15

3652.85

566.52

281.16

258.06

16.76750

1.43750

1.31426

11.66

3664.32

577.99

263.46

241.04

16.83000

1.50000

1.36631

11.22

3673.81

587.48

247.74

225.68

16.95500

1.62500

1.46926

10.43

3692.27

605.94

227.42

206.12

17.08000

1.75000

1.57070

9.76

3705.52

619.19

210.56

188.93

17.20500

1.87500

1.67066

9.18

3719.26

632.93

224.74

200.33

17.33000

2.00000

1.76919

8.67

3732.23

645.90

208.37

184.96

17.58000

2.25000

1.96203

7.81

3749.71

663.38

162.84

142.20

17.70500

2.37500

2.05641

7.45

3757.19

670.86

150.46

130.44

17.83000

2.50000

2.14947

7.13

3763.44

677.11

140.26

120.70

18.08000

2.75000

2.33172

6.57

3774.65

688.32

140.46

119.19

18.33000

3.00000

2.50900

6.11

3785.11

698.78

138.98

116.46

18.58000

3.25000

2.68151

5.72

3794.06

707.73

115.07

95.49

18.83000

3.50000

2.84944

5.38

3799.80

713.47

133.68

108.08

19.08000

3.75000

3.01297

5.09

3809.50

723.17

150.18

121.27

19.33000

4.00000

3.17227

4.83

3815.97

729.64

107.37

85.60

19.58000

4.25000

3.32750

4.61

3820.20

733.87

64.24

50.83

19.83000

4.50000

3.47882

4.41

3821.95

735.62

40.75

31.50

20.08000

4.75000

3.62637

4.23

3823.70

737.37

56.31

42.75

20.33000

5.00000

3.77029

4.07

3826.45

740.12

79.61

59.90

20.58000

5.25000

3.91071

3.92

3829.69

743.36

87.17

65.00

20.83000

5.50000

4.04777

3.79

3832.64

746.31

74.57

55.11

21.08000

5.75000

4.18157

3.67

3834.70

748.37

72.12

52.33

21.33000

6.00000

4.31224

3.56

3837.19

750.86

70.51

50.88

21.58000

6.25000

4.43987

3.45

3838.94

752.61

34.46

25.33

22.08000

6.75000

4.68648

3.27

3838.02

751.69

19.52

12.42

22.58000

7.25000

4.92217

3.11

3840.78

754.45

53.06

36.18

23.08000

7.75000

5.14764

2.98

3843.01

756.68

43.29

28.98

23.58000

8.25000

5.36355

2.86

3844.52

758.19

41.52

26.89

24.08000

8.75000

5.57049

2.75

3846.27

759.94

40.82

26.16

24.58000

9.25000

5.76902

2.66

3847.51

761.18

33.25

20.81

25.08000

9.75000

5.95963

2.57

3848.52

762.19

40.20

24.38

25.58000

10.25000

6.14279

2.50

3850.01

763.68

37.65

22.86

26.08000

10.75000

6.31892

2.43

3850.75

764.42

32.21

18.81

26.58000

11.25000

6.48843

2.36

3851.76

765.43

33.95

19.69

3-45

27.08000

11.75000

6.65168

2.30

3852.50

766.17

36.54

20.56

27.58000

12.25000

6.80901

2.25

3853.51

767.18

38.36

21.44

28.08000

12.75000

6.96074

2.20

3854.25

767.92

36.51

19.89

28.58000

13.25000

7.10716

2.16

3855.07

768.74

30.55

16.56

29.08000

13.75000

7.24854

2.11

3855.50

769.17

27.64

14.43

29.83000

14.50000

7.45173

2.06

3856.50

770.17

32.70

16.92

30.58000

15.25000

7.64495

2.01

3857.25

770.92

30.23

15.15

31.33000

16.00000

7.82892

1.96

3857.99

771.66

32.51

15.89

32.08000

16.75000

8.00429

1.92

3858.74

772.41

34.83

16.64

32.83000

17.50000

8.17164

1.88

3859.48

773.15

30.98

14.58

33.58000

18.25000

8.33152

1.84

3859.99

773.66

33.60

15.21

34.33000

19.00000

8.48442

1.81

3860.73

774.40

27.78

12.67

35.08000

19.75000

8.63077

1.78

3860.99

774.66

23.22

10.01

35.83000

20.50000

8.77100

1.75

3861.49

775.16

40.28

17.08

36.58000

21.25000

8.90548

1.72

3862.24

775.91

39.27

16.70

37.58000

22.25000

9.07644

1.69

3862.74

776.41

26.72

10.90

38.58000

23.25000

9.23853

1.66

3863.22

776.89

21.33

8.60

39.58000

24.25000

9.39243

1.63

3863.48

777.15

24.52

9.34

40.58000

25.25000

9.53875

1.61

3863.99

777.66

33.76

12.75

41.58000

26.25000

9.67803

1.58

3864.49

778.16

25.91

9.71

42.58000

27.25000

9.81077

1.56

3864.73

778.40

23.88

8.48

43.83000

28.50000

9.96817

1.54

3865.23

778.90

30.25

10.62

45.33000

30.00000

10.14560

1.51

3865.74

779.41

The diagnostic plots depicted in Figure 3.19 show the classic response of a
homogeneous reservoir model with wellbore storage and skin. From the
welltest derivative function, it would appear that the effect of wellbore storage
had subsided at about 10 hrs, in which case, the pressure data beyond 10 hrs
might be fitted to the Horner semilog line. Notice the noise in the derivative
function. This is not surprising because numerical differentiation is a noisy
process. The wellbore storage coefficient can be calculated from the unit slope
line as

3-46

C=

(174 )(1.06 )
24

= 0.0096 RB/psi
800

The dimensionless wellbore storage coefficient is given by

CD =

( 5.615)( 0.0096 )
2
2 ( 0.25 ) ( 4.20 x106 ) (107 )( 0.29 )

= 9.09 x102

Figure 3.19. Diagnostic plots for field example.

Figure 3.20 shows the Horner plot. The Horner straight line is given by

15.33 + t
Pws ( t ) = 3880.60 78.52 log

3-47

The slope of the Horner line is

m = 78.52 psi/log cycle

from which the permeability is calculated as

k=

(162.6 )(174 )( 2.5 )(1.06 ) = 8.92 md

( 78.52 )(107 )

Figure 3.20. Horner plot for field example.

From the Horner line,

Pws (1hr ) = 3785.35 psia

The skin factor can be calculated as

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 3086.33 3785.35

8.92

+
log
3.23
S = 1.1513

2
6
78.52
( 0.25 )( 2.5 ) ( 4.20 x10 ) ( 0.29 )

S = 1.1513 ( 8.90 7.61 + 3.23) = 5.21

Thus, the well is damaged. The initial reservoir pressure is given by

Pi = P* = 3880.6 psia.
The radius of investigation for the drawdown portion of the test is given by
rinv = 0.03248

(8.92 )(15.33)
= 234 ft
( 0.25 )( 2.5 ) ( 4.20 x106 )

The radius of investigation for the buildup portion of the test is given by
rinv = 0.03248

(8.92 )( 30 )
= 330 ft
( 0.25 )( 2.5 ) ( 4.20 x106 )

The buildup test cannot investigate what the drawdown did not investigate.
Therefore, the radius of investigation of the buildup test test is obtained from
the drawdown portion of the test as 234 ft. The reservoir bulk volume
investigated by the test is given by
2
V = rinv
h = ( ) ( 2342 ) (107 ) = 18.406 x106 ft 3

The estimated permeability of 8.92 md can be assigned to this volume of the

reservoir. This is in contrast to the core permeability, which is measured on a
minute portion of the reservoir.
The last step in a pressure transient analysis is to simulate the test. A
successful simulation of the test, though non-unique, tends to lend credibility
to the results of the analysis. Using the k, S and CD obtained from the semilog
analysis as preliminary estimates, the homogeneous reservoir model with

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wellbore storage and skin can be used to simulate the test by a trial and error
procedure.
Figures 3.21 through 3.23 show graphical comparisons of the simulated
test and the field test. Figure 3.21 compares the pressure buildup responses;
Figure 3.22 compares the log-diagnostic plots; and Figure 3.23 compares the
Horner plots. Clearly, the agreement between the simulated test and the field
test is good. The best match was obtained with the following parameters:
k = 9.4 md
S =6

CD = 9 x102
CD e 2 S = 1.46 x108
Pwf ( t p ) = 3089.46 psia
Pi = 3880.60 psia
Thus, the simulation serves to fine tune the parameters obtained by the
conventional semilog analysis of the test.

Figure 3.21. A comparison of the simulated and the measured pressure

buildup response for field example.
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Figure 3.22. A comparison of the simulated and the measured

diagnostic plots for field example.

Figure 3.23. A comparison of the simulated and the measured Horner

plots for field example.
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