Well testing evaluates a well’s production capacity and product characteristics. Water well testing determines safe pumping capacity and water safety, while oil and gas well testing evaluates production and quality. Testing fees vary, and well testing companies employ experts in hydrology and petroleum engineering.
A well test is an evaluation of a well to better understand its production capacity and the characteristics of the products extracted from the well. This term typically refers specifically to water well testing, but oil and gas well testing can also be performed. Well testing companies can offer a variety of customer services and are often willing to travel to remote well sites. Testing fees may vary depending on the types of tests you need.
With a water well, a major concern is how much the well can produce. When the pump works, drawing water from the well, the water table begins to decrease, a phenomenon known as a drawdown. It is possible to draw the contents of the aquifer too quickly by running the pump at full capacity and emptying the well dry. In a well test, a business can determine how much water the pump can safely draw at any given time, drawing the water out and allowing the groundwater to recover.
This results in an assessment, which provides insight into the pumping capacity of the well. This can vary at different times of the year, such as during a dry season when the water table drops more rapidly because there is less water available to replenish it. The well test determines how many households the well can reasonably provide. Test engineers may also have concerns about depletion of the water table to the point that nearby wells cannot function and must consider the needs of all households tapping into the water table, not just one.
It is also possible to conduct a well test for water safety. Testing companies can check for bacteria and other microorganisms along with contaminants like radon gas and chemicals. The company may test the water if the well owner has concerns about the smell or color, or in response to health concerns. This well test may include a well inspection to locate the source of a problem and provide recommendations on how to address the problem.
Well testing companies employ hydrologists, biologists, and other technicians with expertise in water wells, water safety, and related topics. A well’s capacity may need to be tested before it can be approved by building officials, and periodic tests to check for water safety are a good idea, to catch problems with the well’s water before they become a problem.
Oil and gas well testing involves similar activities to determine production capacity and quality. Petroleum engineers typically lead test teams to evaluate new wells and examine older wells to determine what steps, if any, the company should take to repair a well or stimulate it to increase capacity.
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