1. n. [Well Testing]

The measurement and analysis of pressure data taken after a well is put on production, either initially or following an extended shut-in period. Drawdown data are usually noisy, meaning that the pressure moves up and down as fluid flows past the gauges and minute variations in flow rate take place. This is especially true for new wells, in which well cleanup commonly occurs for days after production has begun. Such data are difficult to interpret, and the noise often obscures regions of interest to the analyst. Transient downhole flow rates measured while flowing can be used to correct pressure variations through convolution or deconvolution calculations that enable diagnosis and interpretation, analogous to that done for the pressure change and derivative.

See: buildup test