 M.

Sameer
 Luqman Ahmed
 Rafay Hassan
 Sohaib Mushtaq
 M.Nabeel
 M.Mubeen
DEFINITION: A pumping test is a field experiment in which
a well is pumped at a controlled rate and water-level
response (drawdown) is measured in one or more
surrounding observation wells and optionally in the pumped
well (control well) itself; response data from pumping tests
are used to estimate the hydraulic properties of aquifers ,
evaluate well performance and identify aquifer boundaries.
 Aquifer test and Aquifer performance test (APT) are
alternative designations for a pumping test.
 In petroleum engineering, a pumping test is referred to as a
Drawdown test.
 To estimate hydraulic properties:
 Transmissivity (T)
 Hydraulic conductivity (KR , KZ )
(horizontal and vertical)
 Storativity (SS )
(storage coeficient)
 Stress is applied on the aquifer simply
through pumping.
 It is a simple process by which water is
pumped at surface in a specific interval and
drawdown is monitored to develop a time
drawdown curve.
 To find the hydraulic properties (T, KR , KZ , SS
) of the aquifer in the cone of depression.
 Recognize the nature of aquifer.
 By using T/D curve we can find recharge and
barrier boundary where:
 Recharge boundary is permeable layer.
 Barrier boundary is impervious layer.
 pumping test was first of all performed by
Thies in 1906 for both confined and
unconfined aquifer.
 Discharge is fixed.
 Thickness of aquifer is uniformed.
 Aquifer is isotropic and water level is in
equilibrium position.
 Source well with two surrounding observation
well.
 With equal distance within the cone of
depression.
 Water is drawn from source well at fixed
discharge.
 The observation well is to monitor the
position of the water table.
 The thickness of aquifer is ‘b’ and distance
between source and observation well is ‘r2’
from centre of source well to observation.
 The hydraulic head at any point on the cone
of depression is function of:
 Radial distance
 Pumpage time
 Source well is like a cylinder and its radius is
‘r1’.
 We have maximum draw-down at source well
and cone of depression is produced which
bend upward away from source well.
 We establish a source well upto the bottom of
unconfined aquifer with surrounding two
observation wells, for monitoring the water
level.
 Water is drawn at fixed rate from source well.
 Cone of depression is produced.
 Radius of source well is r1 and distance
between source well and observation well is
r2.
 Transmissivity” A measure of Capacity of a saturated aquifer to transmit water
horizontally and Permeability.
 Let a non-artesian well to be driven and water is pumped heavily to be cause a
sufficient draw-down
 When the water level in the well decreases ,the water level in the neighbor well
also cause to draw down(an inverted cone of depression) is formed around the
well.
 The base of this cone is a circle of radius ‘R’(the circle of influence) and the
inclined side is known as draw-down curve.
 Two observation well’s lying within the circle of influence of
main pumped well, are to be driven.
 Let these wells are numbered to be as ‘1’ and ‘2’,and are at a
distance of 𝑟1 and 𝑟2 from the main well.(centre to centre
distance)
 Let ‘d’ be the depth of the well or aquifer below static water
table .
 Let the main well to be pumped at sufficient rate ,so as to cause
heavy draw-down.
 Then let the pumping be so adjusted as to attain the equilibrium
condition(Rate of pumping become equal to the rate of Yeild).
 Let 𝑆1 and 𝑆2 be the draw-downs at two observation wells at
equilibrium conditions.
 By Darcy Law
𝑄 = 𝐾𝐼𝐴
 Here I=Hydraulic gradient using cylindrical coordinates, we take
‘r’ as the radius of any Cylinder and ‘h’ as height of Cone of
Depression at a distance ‘r’ from main well.
𝑑ℎ 𝑑ℎ
𝐼= =
𝑑𝑙 𝑑𝑟
The area of flow ‘A’ is equal to
𝐴 = 2𝜋𝑟ℎ
𝑑ℎ
𝑄 = 𝐾𝐼𝐴 =𝐾. 𝑑𝑟 . 2𝜋𝑟ℎ

𝑑𝑟 2𝜋𝐾ℎ𝑑ℎ
=
𝑟 𝑄
𝑟2
ℎ2
𝑑𝑟 2𝜋𝐾
න =න . ℎ𝑑ℎ
𝑟 ℎ1 𝑄
𝑟1
 K=permeability of the soil which is assumed to be constant at all
places and at all times i.e. homogeneous soil and isotropic.
𝑟 𝑑𝑟 2𝜋𝐾 ℎ2
Therefore ‫ 𝑟׬‬2 = ‫ ׬‬. ℎ𝑑ℎ
1 𝑟 𝑄 ℎ1
By integrating the above relation we get
𝑟2 𝜋𝐾
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 = [ℎ22 − ℎ12 ]
𝑟1 𝑄
𝑟
𝐾 =𝑄𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 2 /𝜋[ℎ22 − ℎ12 ]
𝑟1
2 2 𝑟2
𝑄 = 𝜋𝐾 ℎ2 − ℎ1 /𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒
𝑟1
 (ℎ22 −ℎ12 ) = (ℎ2 + ℎ1 )(ℎ2 − ℎ1 )
ℎ2 − ℎ1 =𝑆1 − 𝑆2
And ℎ2 + ℎ1 = 𝑑 + 𝑑 = 2𝑑 hence
(ℎ22 −ℎ12 ) = (𝑆1 − 𝑆2 )2d and
now
𝑟2
𝑄 = 2𝜋𝐾𝑑(𝑆1 − 𝑆2 )/𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒
𝑟1
And
𝑟2
𝑄 = 2𝜋𝑇(𝑆1 − 𝑆2 )/𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒
𝑟1
Here ‘T’ is Transmissivity.
 In case of artesian aquifer the formula is slightly
modified for confined aquifers.
 The flow is actually radial and horizontal
 Rest of the assumptions remain same and holds
good in this case.
𝑟2
𝑄= 2𝜋𝐾𝐻(𝑆1 − 𝑆2 )/𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒
𝑟1
 In actual practice an aquifer is not fully
homogeneous or the well might have been
dug half way to aquifer
 Permeability may not be uniform
 The ground water table may be inclined and
thus the base of cone is not a circle
 The equilibrium conditions may not be
availed
 This formula is widely used in ground water
problems and many of its limitations are
removed by appropriate assumptions .
 Theis in 1935 developed a technique
to calculate hydrologic properties
when the subsurface aquifer is a
confined aquifer.
 Consider the well is in cyllinderical
form and we use radial coordinates
 The drawdown for the Theis curve is
given by the equation of the form
 We develop the equation by transforming into
cylindrical coordinates with boundary
conditions ( as well is like cylindrical)
 h= h(i) at time t=0 when pumping time is
zero and represent original potentiometric
surface
 h= h when r= ∞ hence no effect of pumping
and represent original potentiometric surface
 Where u depends on radial distance (r) and
some functions are as below
 s = drawdown ( in m or ft)
 T = transmissivity
 t = pumping time
 All the above three parameters are known
 u also depends upon the well functions
 w(u)=
 These equation is used for 2 hydraulic
properties of a confined aquifer
 Suppose T = ft2/day ( American hydrological
units)
 Where Q = gpm ( gallon per minute )
 r = feet t = min
 T =ft2/day S = dimensionless
 s ( drawdown) = ft
 If we know the thickness of water bearing
strata and its transmissivity then we can find
the hydraulic conductivity
 If we transform equation from one unit to
another then a constant is introduce i.e 15.3
for T = ft2 / day
 If the units of general parameters change
then we change the general equation and
make new equations. General units depend
on field units
 A plot of w (u) verses u OR w(u) verses 1/u is
known as type curve or master curve
 To develop master curve or type curve we use the
well function equation

 Where

 W(u) depends on u and u depends on r2 s/4tT

 Let say u ǀ w(u) ǀ

 We use the max data i.e we assign different
values to u in well function equation
 In field we measure time and drawdown we
also know the radial distance between source
and observation well hence we plot either
 Time verses drawdown ( t vs s )
 Drawdown verses t/r2
 We again develop this data on log-log paper
of the same no of cycles as that of master
curve
 We develop the data on a
transparent sheet either of
field data or master curve data
 Now we have two curves :
Field curve
Master or Theis type curve
 Now to evaluate the hydraulic properties of
the aquifer we use the fully curve matching
technique
1. Now we super impose the field curve on the
master curve of the same no of cycles
2. By keeping both the axis parallel i.e X– axis
and Y-axis until both the curve match fully (
that is why we call fully curve matching
technique
3. Cycle of field curve = length of cycle of
master curve
4. As both the curve matches fully we mark a
cross at any point on the transparent paper,
but for the sake of convinience we mark the
cross at w(u) and 1/u 1 = 1
Both have the same values
 From the cross section we know the four
values
 Two from field curve s and t/r2
 Two from the master curve u and w(u)
 By drawing projection on x-axis and y-axis
 Replace the four values in above two general
equations i.e for confined aquifer
 To model the subsurface aquifer by any
software we assign the values for s in the
units same as that in which data is acquired
in the field
 If we have no of aquifer in the subsurface and
we have to calculate hydraulic properties of
any of the aquifer then we seal all the
aquifers.
 In other words we calculate hydraulic
properties of single aquifer at a time i.e the
cone of depression of that particular layer is
calculated
 And we drill observation well to that
particular layer and seal upper aquifers if
present
Parameters to determine:
 Transmissivity (T)
 Storativity (Coefficient of Storage) (S)
 Drawdown (s) is given by

Where
 Q= Discharge/flow rate
 T= Transmissivity
 W(u)= Well Function

For u<0.01
 Also and

 Substituting W(u) and rearranging, the drawdown

equation becomes:

`
 For t-intercept: t=t0 and

 For s to be zero:
 Rearranging, we’ve storativity (S):

 Replacing s by , we’ve transmissivity (T):

 For multiple wells, we plot ‘log(1/r2)’ vs ‘s’
 For t-intercept, r=r0 and

 For s to be zero,

 Rearranging, we’ve Storativity(S):

 Replacing s by , we’ve Transmissivity (T):

 After pumping test when pumping is stopped, the water level in observation well
begin to rise referred to as recovery of ground water levels.

 By recovery test we can estimate recharge potential of aquifer from surroundings.

 Recovery of an aquifer is linked with T ( transmissivity ) of aquifer for recovery. If

thickness of aquifer is known we can calculate hydraulic conductivity of material.
• Measurement of drawdowns taken during the Recovery Test and if the observed
measurement is below the original static water level ( prior to pumping ) during the
recovery period is referred as Residual Drawdown (s’).
s' = s – sr

• According to hydrologist it is good practice to measure Residual Drawdowns

because analysis of data enables transitivity to be monitored on pumping test
result.

• Rate of recharge or negative drawdown ‘-Q’ to the well during recovery is assumed
constant and equal to mean pumping rate.
• If a well is pumped for a known period of time and then shut down, the drawdown
will be identical to discharge during pumping.

• The residual drawdown (s′) is equal to the drawdown (s) due to continuous
pumping minus increase in head (sr) due to recharging well since pumping
stopped.
Mathematically, above scenario can be represented by following equation.

S ‘ = S – Sr ------------ (A)

s = +Q W(u) / 4πT (
Drawdown factor )

s’ = -Q W’(u) / 4πT
( Recovery factor )

W(u) is well function & u is called the argument of the well function

s’ = [+Q W(u) / 4πT ] + [ -Q W’(u) / 4πT ]

s’ = Q/ 4πT [ W(u) - W’(u) ] ------------ (B)

 r 2S
u= for drawdown
4t′T

r2S
u’= for recovery
4t′T

Here S is storage coefficient

∞ 𝒆−𝒖
W(u) = ‫׬‬ du
𝒖 𝒖

𝒖𝟐
Q/ 4πT [ W(u)] = +Q / 4πT [- 0.577- ln (u) + u - + …] --- --- -- (c)
𝟐.𝟐!

Putting the values of u (for drawdown) & u’ (for recovery) in above expression
 r2S
s = Q / 4πT [ -0.577 – ln (4t′ T) ]

After changing into logarithm to base 10 and simplifying

2.25𝑇𝑡
s = ( 2.3Q/4 πT ) log
r2S
2.25𝑇𝑡′
s’ = ( 2.3Q/4 πT ) log
r2S

Putting values of s & s’ in eq. A

∆s = ( 2.3Q/4 πT ) log t/t’

• A plot of s’ vs. t/ t’ on a semi-log paper gives a straight line plot. From slope of graph we
can calculate ∆s which is equal to 2.3Q/4 πT.
• We can also calculate transmissibility also which is our main focus after ∆s by

T = 2.3Q/4π ∆s

• One of main advantage of calculating transmissibility value by this method

is it provides unmatched value of T with higher precision.
 Introduction:
 sequence of rocks deposited in layers horizontally
is principle while
 Disturbed stratum requires to use law
 About well:
 Wells are of two types:
 Vertical wells
 Horizontal wells
 Tests are applied for both horizontal and vertical
wells to find parameters
 About well:
 Well conditions in vary pumping environments
 Well performance in future
 Production rate change
 To know all these problems we should have to
know basic parameters of aquifer:
 transmissivity
 storativity
 For vertical wells:
 There are well-established methods for
estimating these parameters,
 Typically based on either the recovery from
induced head changes in a well
 The head response in observation wells to
pumping in a test well
 Comparatively not for horizontal ones
 Method for evaluating horizontal well
pumping tests
 principle of superposition:
 The principle of superposition is to represent the
horizontal well as a series of partially penetrating
vertical wells.
 Concept is used to estimate a distance from an
observation well….. that is used
 In pumping test algorithms
 Type curves developed for vertical wells.
 Drawdown at any point in influenced area is
equal to the sum of drawdown of every
individual well
 Where
 St is drawdown at any point and S1,2,3,…..n
are individual drawdowns