Practical Considerations for Pressure-Rate Deconvolution of Well Test Data

Pressure-rate deconvolution provides equivalent representation of variable-rate well test data in the form of characteristic constant rate drawdown system response. Deconvolution allows one to develop additional insights into pressure transient behavior and extract more information from well test data than is possible by using conventional analysis methods. In some cases it is possible to interpret the same test data in terms of larger radius of investigation. There are a number of specific issues one has to be aware when using pressure-rate deconvolution. In this paper, we identify and discuss these issues, and provide practical considerations and recommendations on how to produce correct deconvolution results. We also demonstrate reliable use of deconvolution on a number of real test examples.