Leak Off Test

LOT
 Aims
1. Estimate fracture pressure of exposed
formations. (The maximum pressure that may be
imposed on that formation)
2. To verify the casing & cement job.
3. To verify the formation below the casing seat
can withstand the wellbore pressure
4. Calculate the maximum equivalent mud
weight that should be applied to the well
during drilling operations.
 Procedures
.
1-Drill out new formation few feet, circulate bottom
up and collect sample to confirm that new formation
is drilled to and then pull string into the casing
1- Close annular
preventer or pipe
rams.
2- line up a cement
pump.
3- Circulate through an
open choke line to
ensure that surface
line is fully filled with
drilling fluid.
4- Stop the pump and
close a choke valve.
Gradually pump small amount of
drilling fluid into well with constant
pump stroke.

Record total pump strokes, drill pipe

pressure and casing pressure.
 If pressure exceeds formation
strength, formation will be broken.

 Stop pumps and let drilling fluid

permeate into formation.

 Then plot a graph between volume

pumped and pressure.
….
If formation is not broken, a graph will
demonstrate straight line relationship.
• Leak off test pressure can be calculated into
equivalent mud weight in ppg as formula below:

• Leak off test in equivalent mud weight (ppg) =

(Leak off test pressure in psi) ÷ 0.052 ÷ (Casing
Shoe TVD in ft) + (current mud weight in ppg)

• Pressure gradient in psi/ft = (Leak off test pressure

in psi) ÷ (Casing Shoe TVD in ft)
 ….
Example:

• Leak off test pressure = 1600 psi

• Casing shoe TVD = 4000 ft
• Mud weight = 9.2 ppg
• What is the Max. MW we can use ??

Leak off test in equivalent mud weight (ppg) =

1600 psi ÷ 0.052 ÷ 4000 ft + 9.2ppg ppg = 16.9

Pressure gradient = 1600 ÷ 4000 = 0.4 psi/ft

 …
• Bleed off pressure and open up the well.
• Record the data in an appropriate plot format
and record the interpretation.
• Bleed back volumes and measure volumes
returned.
• Report leak off pressure, volumes pumped
and returned and equivalent mud weight

 Then proceed drilling operation.

Critical drilling decisions for mud

weights, casing setting depths, and

well control techniques are based upon

the result of a LOT.

Although LOT is a simple and
inexpensive test, its interpretation
is not always easy, particularly in
formations that give non-linear
relationships between pumped
volume and injection pressure.
The observed shape of the LOT is primarily controlled
by the local stresses. However, there are other factors
that can affect and distort LOT results. Physically the
LOT, indeed, reflects the total system compressibility,
i.e., the compressibility of the drilling fluid, wellbore
expansion, or so-called borehole ballooning, and leak
(filtration) of drilling fluids into the formation. There is,
however, no mathematical model explaining the
nonlinear behavior.
THE

END