Testing unconventional formations

Testing unconventional reservoirs, particularly hydrocarbon-bearing shale formations, presents considerable challenges. This paper reviews those challenges and their effects on testing. Conventional testing methods, although applicable, are often impractical because of excessive test duration. Diagnostic fracture injection test (DFIT) has become the preferred option for unconventional formations. Several methods may be used for interpreting DFIT data. We examine those methods in detail and explore their relative strengths while interpreting field data.