Application and Verification of Formation Pressure Estimation for Geo-Energy Engineering Based on Flow Regime Identification Analysis of Different Injection/Shut-In Tests
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Conventional Diagnostic Fracture Injection Tests (DFITs) are widely used for formation pressure estimation, but in practice, they frequently require days, weeks, or even months of extended shut-in periods, a challenge particularly pronounced when large injection volumes are coupled with ultra-low formation permeability. While recent studies have proposed various modified DFIT approaches to reduce testing time, direct physical validation confirming the reliability of the derived formation pressure estimates remains scarce in the literature. This study applies a low-rate/volume injection mini-frac approach that integrates flow regime identification and Horner analysis. Two complementary field cases are presented: a standard DFIT in a shale reservoir to validate the baseline methodology, and a low-volume mini-frac in a tight granite formation to demonstrate rapid estimation. Results show that low-volume injections exhibit a flow regime evolution identical to standard DFITs, yet this approach is expected to accelerate the transition to the pseudo-radial flow regime. To verify the reliability of formation pressure estimates derived from such methods, the formation pressure estimated in the low-rate/volume injection mini-frac case was benchmarked against a decade of continuous downhole fluid pressure monitoring data from the same well, yielding a relative error of less than 5%. The findings suggest that employing a lower injection rate and volume can improve formation pressure testing efficiency, with potential applications in unconventional hydrocarbon development and deep geo-energy engineering.
Source: Energies
DOI: 10.3390/en19102434
Authors: Qiuyang Xu, Yuehui Yang, Awei Li, Bangchen Wu, Hao Zhang, Ran Li, Shiyuan Li, Chongyuan Zhang, Qunce Chen, Dongsheng Sun
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W7161640914