FOS provides well testing services for such applications as exploration well testing, clean up, flow back applications as well as inline testing of existing wells. In each case, the well is flowed through temporary production facilities while pressure, temperature and flow rate measurements are made. After separating the produced fluids into its components (oil, gas and water), the gas is flared, the oil is either “completely burned” or transferred to storage tanks, and the water is treated and disposed off.

FOS provides surface packages capable of testing wells up to 15,000 PSI and extreme sour service. State of the art Data Acquisition Systems are used to collect and process raw data and monitor well conditions.

FOS has a proven track record in Oman for providing quality and cost effective service whilst working in the extreme conditions of remote desert locations.

Well Testing Details

Well testing aims at defining a structured approach to the following:
• Setting well test objective
• Safe working practices
• Test design
• Enhancement of the quality of test data

Setting Well Test Objectives

The setting of well test objectives is always a difficult process, within both the smallest independent to the largest multinational operating oil and gas company.

There are very many opinions to be sought and many agendas to be addressed while setting the well test objectives. The experienced test engineer has an important role in formulating these objectives. Through knowledge of the technical capabilities of the equipment and the likely levels of expenditure the test engineer can focus the exploration group on what is important and realistic to achieve from an individual well test for a given level of expenditure.

Safe Working Practices

Above all, the main concern when planning a well test should be safety. In many parts of the world hydrocarbon regulations exist to control how tests are implemented both from a safety and environmental standpoint. However, in other parts of the world no such regulations exist. Working under these circumstances is in fact more difficult as the person carrying out the test must substantially self regulate how the test will be conducted.

Large operating oil and gas companies usually have fairly well developed procedures written into their corporate well testing policy and procedures manuals to cope with most circumstances. However, these policy and procedures manuals may not cover all scenarios. Moreover in smaller and medium sized companies these policies and procedures may not even exist.

Therefore it will be the responsibility of engineers and managers to develop safe working practices and ensure that these practices are put into affect at the well site.

Test Design

Test design will include selection of appropriate equipment to carry out a well test within the context of the well test objectives. The test design should also comply with safe working and good oilfield practices that are appropriate for the theatre of operations.

Furthermore, the design of a test will also include a decision on the most appropriate type of test to conduct to achieve the objectives of the test, in a timely and cost effective manner. For example whether to carry out a flow after flow test or an isochronal test.

Enhancement of the Quality of Test Data

The quality of test data can be significantly enhanced through the selection of the most appropriate technology and procedures. For example, down hole shuts valves where appropriate to reduce well bore storage effects. The selection of the appropriate instrumentation with both the desired accuracy and reliability for a specific application. In addition preparation of quality well testing programs with well explained step by step procedures will improve on the quality of the data acquired during a test.