Inflow (Negative) Testing – Why & how?

When drilling the well and running tubulars, the drilling fluid will have a higher density
than the reservoir/formation fluids to prevent any hydrocarbon influx. Prior to running
in the production completion, the well is displaced to a lighter density completion fluid
to encourage the hydrocarbons to flow into the wellbore and up the production tubing.
If any integrity issues in the connections or the casing/liner overlap are present this
could affect the overall efficiency of well production recovery, in addition to posing
safety & integrity issues of the well construction. Hydrocarbons could potentially by-
pass any safety related equipment in the well completion string.

By carrying out an inflow test, the well is allowed to go into an underbalanced state in a
controlled manner, to check for any leaks in the liner tubular connections and/or the
casing/liner overlap. As the well is not completely displaced to the completion fluid if
any leaks were to be found the well can be kept under control at all times. The well can
then be displaced back to the initial well fluid in a safe and controlled manner to allow
remedial work to be carried out where required.

When should the Inflow (Negative) Test be performed?

A negative test can be carried out any stage of the well construction, but historically it
is performed when the last production liner has been run and cemented in place. In
recent applications it is also performed after running in a lower completion to test the
integrity of a fluid-loss control valve.

Regardless of the end operation an inflow test should be carried out whenever the well
is displaced from the initial well control, typically drilling mud fluid, to a lighter
completion fluid.

Whilst not mandatory by industry regulations, Odfjell Well Services (OWS) highly
recommends that an inflow test should be carried out in all wells, regardless of it is a
new drill or work over.

How is Inflow (Negative) Test carried out?

An Inflow Test can be carried out following the below simplified procedure:
1. Pick up the inflow test packer and run as integral part of the main well bore clean up
(WBCU) string.
2. Land out on the liner top to activate the inflow test packer
3. Apply weight to set the element, and carry out a positive integrity test on the
annulus to ensure the inflow test packer doesn’t leak.
4. Pick up off the liner top and pump a pre-determined volume of the test fluid down
the workstring.
5. Land back on the liner top to set the element to perform the inflow (negative) test
for a minimum of four hours, or as per client’s requirements.
6. Unset the element and pick up off the liner top.
7. Reverse circulate the test fluid – can always pump the long way if desired.
8. Carry out the WBCU as per the program.

How can Odfjell Well Services help you?

Within the Well Bore Clean Up Services portfolio OWS can offer the DTectRTM Inflow
Test Packer that can run as an integral part of the WBCU work string. This will allow
significant time and cost savings as there is no need to run a dedicated trip to carry out
the inflow test. Drawing on over 40 years of experience OWS can tailor the operation
for your particular well application to ensure a cost effective and incident free inflow
(negative) test.