Effect of a Mobile Fine Fraction on Slug Test Results

Abstract

In recent slug testing at our field site there seemed to be a dependence on flow direction and initial slug height in some of the results for hydraulic conductivity that could not be explained by any known models. At first, we thought the dependence on flow direction and initial height was the result of slug length and friction in the annular space between the slug and casing. Later slug testing with a packer eliminated the effect of the slug in the wellbore, but the initial head and directional dependence observed earlier remained for the packer data. This indicated possible well development problems, so a program of well development was instituted and slug tests were performed at various points in this program. We were not able to eliminate the head and directional dependence of the results for the hydraulic conductivity by well development. However, we have arrived at some conclusions that may be helpful to others interpreting slug test data in aquifers with a mobile fine fraction. It seems that well development and slug testing can cause fine material to be redistributed in an aquifer. Apparently in our slug testing and development program, we have created an artificial distribution of fine material that differs with radius, causing the apparent hydraulic conductivity to differ with volume injected or withdrawn. Directional dependence may be caused by the water moving away from the well carrying fines, resulting in a build up of fine material at some radius and a lower apparent hydraulic conductivity.