Hydraulic testing using a versatile straddle packer system for improved transmissivity estimation in fractured-rock boreholes

Equipment has been developed for straddle packer testing in fractured-rock boreholes to conduct four types of tests (constant-head step tests, slug tests, constant-rate pumping tests, and recovery tests) without deflating the packers or adjusting equipment in the hole between tests. The goal is to a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrogeology journal 2012-12, Vol.20 (8), p.1529-1547
Main Authors: Quinn, Patryk, Cherry, John A., Parker, Beth L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aquatic Pollution
Boreholes
Confidence
Contaminants
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Error correction & detection
Geology
Geophysics/Geodesy
Hydraulic fracturing
Hydrogeology
Hydrology
Hydrology/Water Resources
Intervals
Mathematical models
Packers
Pumping tests
Recovery
Rocks
Slugs
Transducers
Transmissivity
Waste Water Technology
Water Management
Water Pollution Control
Water Quality/Water Pollution
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Summary:Equipment has been developed for straddle packer testing in fractured-rock boreholes to conduct four types of tests (constant-head step tests, slug tests, constant-rate pumping tests, and recovery tests) without deflating the packers or adjusting equipment in the hole between tests. The goal is to achieve improved accuracy and precision in the determination of transmissivity ( T ). Water-pressure measurements are recorded using pressure transducers positioned above and below the test interval to identify connections from the test interval to the open borehole. Insights concerning the nature of test conditions are gathered with this equipment to assess errors related to deviations from assumptions inherent in the mathematical models used to determine T , including validation of the Darcian flow assumption, validation of slug test assumptions, cross-connection to the open borehole, inadequate borehole development, and dual permeability, thereby giving greater confidence in the calculated T values. When the errors indicated above are minimized, the constant-head step tests, slug tests and constant-rate pumping/recovery tests give nearly identical values. This multiple-test approach to fractured-rock studies increases confidence in test results, which is important when the goal is characterization of fracture networks for contaminant transport and fate assessment.
ISSN:1431-2174
1435-0157
DOI:10.1007/s10040-012-0893-8