Abstract: Methods are described for determining or estimating a wellbore schematic, one embodiment comprising running one or more measured distances of coiled tubing into a wellbore while pumping a fluid at varying flow rates through the coiled tubing, and calculating true vertical depth of the wellbore using pressure and flow rate data of the fluid. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It may not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: A method for breaking a fracturing fluid includes identifying application parameter(s) including a subterranean formation temperature, and determining an acid precursor concentration in response to the application parameter(s). The method further includes providing a treatment fluid including a carrier fluid, a metallic peroxide breaker, and an amount of an acid precursor according to the acid precursor concentration, and treating the subterranean formation with the treatment fluid. The application parameter(s) may further include a flowback wait time, a composition of the metallic peroxide breaker, a gel loading of the carrier fluid, and/or a permeability of the subterranean formation. The metallic peroxide breaker may include an alkaline peroxide and/or a zinc peroxide. The acid precursor may include polylactic acid and/or polyglycolic acid.

Abstract: A completion apparatus (4) for completing a wellbore comprises a) a tool to alternatively open and close a throughbore (15) of the completion; b) a tool (13) to alternatively open and close an annulus defined between the outer surface of the completion and the inner surface of the wellbore; c) a tool to alternatively provide and prevent a fluid circulation route from the throughbore of the completion to the said annulus (11); and d) at least one signal receiver and processing tool (9) capable of decoding signals received relating to the operation of tools a) to c).

Abstract: A casing annulus is remediated by inserting a hose into a casing annulus, the hose having a nozzle on its lower end. An acoustic signal is directed into the annulus. A sensor in the hose receives the acoustic signal and transmits data from the sensor to the surface. The data represents the acoustic signal arrival time to the sensor, and an analyzer estimates the sensor depth based on the data. The hose is inserted from a reel into a wellhead above the annulus. An electrical transducer mechanically coupled to the hose creates the acoustic signal. The signal is propagated along the hose and transferred to the fluid in the annulus, where it then propagates further into the annulus. The transducer can be installed on a hose roller along which the hose is fed into the wellhead.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for accurately determining depths of certain structures in downhole strings. Locator tools comprise a shaft and a plurality of locator springs longitudinally mounted on the shaft. The locator springs are biased to expand and are configured to compress to allow the tool to traverse past restrictions in the downhole string. Each locator spring includes a locating pad that allows it to engage with an internal locating notch in the downhole string. The internal locating notch is sized to mate with the locator tool, i.e., to allow the locator springs to engage the internal locating notch. In this way, the depth of internal locating notches may be determined precisely and accurately by sensing engagement of the tool with the internal locating notch. Advantages of certain embodiments include more accurate depth determination, repeatable engagements of the tool, and reduced false engagements.

Abstract: A method for breaking a fracturing fluid includes identifying application parameter(s) including a subterranean formation temperature, and determining an acid precursor concentration in response to the application parameter(s). The method further includes providing a treatment fluid including a carrier fluid, a metallic peroxide breaker, and an amount of an acid precursor according to the acid precursor concentration, and treating the subterranean formation with the treatment fluid. The application parameter(s) may further include a flowback wait time, a composition of the metallic peroxide breaker, a gel loading of the carrier fluid, and/or a permeability of the subterranean formation. The metallic peroxide breaker may include an alkaline peroxide and/or a zinc peroxide. The acid precursor may include polylactic acid and/or polyglycolic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a downhole flow control device. The device includes, a first member defining a first portion of a flow path, and a second member defining a second portion of the flow path, the flow path has a cross sectional flow area defined at least partially by the first member and the second member, a length of the flow path is greater than a largest dimension of the cross sectional flow area, and the cross sectional flow area is adjustable by movement of at least a portion of the first member relative to the second member.

Abstract: A method of determining reservoir permeability and geometry of a subterranean formation having a reservoir fluid including oil that has not been previously water-flooded includes isolating the subterranean formation to be tested; providing an injection fluid at a substantially constant rate from a wellhead to the formation being tested, wherein the injection fluid is miscible with the oil at the tested formation; sealing, at the top, the tested formation from further fluid injection; measuring pressure data in the tested formation including pressure injection data and pressure falloff data; and determining the reservoir permeability and geometry of the tested formation based on an analysis of the measured pressure injection data and the measured pressure falloff data using a well pressure model.

Abstract: A correlation system is provided to allow association of readings from a cable that is supported by a string but that is coiled around or has slack in one or many locations to a specific location along the string itself. Heat sources can be placed along the string to periodically or continuously give off heat that can be detected by a cable such as a fiber optic. The location of the sources along the string is known and the location along the cable is determined from the location on the cable where the heat generated by the source is sensed. One or more sources can be used and correlation can be by periodic sampling or in real time. The sources may by powered locally or from the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actuating a downhole tool at a desired location. A reciprocating hydraulic slickline pump with a locator is provided. The pump comprises a pump member. The pump member is reciprocated axially by slickline in order to form an upstroke and downstroke. The pump is configured such that it pressurizes fluid within a workstring assembly during the pump's downstroke.

Abstract: Phase-controlled well flow control. A well system includes a flow control device which regulates flow of a fluid in the well system, the flow control device being responsive to both pressure and temperature in the well system to regulate flow of the fluid. A flow control device includes a flow regulator for regulating flow of a fluid through the flow control device, and an actuator which is operative to actuate the flow regulator in response to a predetermined relationship between a phase of the fluid and both pressure and temperature exposed to the actuator. A method of controlling a phase change of a fluid in a well system includes the steps of: flowing the fluid through a flow control device in the well system; and adjusting the flow control device in response to both pressure and temperature in the well system.

Abstract: A system for monitoring temperature of a subsurface low temperature zone is described. The system includes a plurality of freeze wells configured to form the low temperature zone, one or more lasers, and a fiber optic cable coupled to at least one laser. A portion of the fiber optic cable is positioned in at least one freeze well. At least one laser is configured to transmit light pulses into a first end of the fiber optic cable. An analyzer is coupled to the fiber optic cable. The analyzer is configured to receive return signals from the light pulses.

Abstract: Apparatus, assembly and process for allowing gas lift operations to be conducted along a relatively long perforated interval below a packer in a subterranean well. An elongated segregation member is lowered into locking engagement with a bypass mandrel secured to a tubing string above the packer. This segregation member is configured and dimensioned to define two fluid flow paths. A first flow path extends from the surface of the earth through the annulus formed between the tubing string above the packer and casing secured in the well, the bypass mandrel, a bore through a portion of the segregation member and the interior of the tubing string below the packer. A second flow path extends from the subterranean region penetrated by the well through the annulus formed between the tubing string below the packer and casing secured in the well, the annulus between the segregation member and the packer, and the interior of the tubing string above the packer.

Abstract: Tools and methods for downhole sample analysis are provided. An apparatus for sampling a downhole fluid includes a tool having at least one surface element wetted by a downhole fluid such as drilling fluid, return fluid or production fluids such as asphaltenic hydrocarbons. At least one surface element disposed on the tool can include a fluid-repellent material disposed on a substrate for repelling at least a portion of the downhole fluid wetting the surface element.

Abstract: A technique enables determination of gas influx in a fluid handling system. A tubing is provided for conducting fluid flow therethrough. Pressure signals are transmitted through the fluid in the tubing. Parameters of the pressure signal, e.g. time and/or attenuation, are measured at a first location and a second location along the tubing. Parameter data is evaluated to determine the occurrence of changes indicative of gas influx into the tubing.

Abstract: A wireless casing collar locator includes a pipe coupling detector configured to be conveyed through a wellbore. A detection device is associated with the pipe coupling detector. The detection device generates an output indicative of detection of a pipe coupling in response to the output of the pipe coupling detector. The locator includes an acoustic transmitter functionally associated with the detection device. The transmitter is configured to apply an acoustic impulse to a conveyance device used to move the locator along the wellbore in response to communication to the transmitter of the output of the detection device. A surface receiver and processing unit used to convert acoustic energy into electrical energy for processing in real time to determine the location of the pipe detector in wellbores.

Abstract: A system and a method for adjusting the length of a cable between downhole sensors. The length adjustment system comprises a housing and at least one deforming member configured to translate relative to the housing. An actuator may be coupled to the deforming member and configured to translate the deforming member. The cable is deformed with one or more arcuate deformations, thereby reducing the length of the cable as measured relative to a straight line.

Abstract: A downhole device having an oil/water separator having a well fluid inlet, an oil stream outlet conduit, and a water stream outlet conduit; a removable flow-restrictor located in at least one of the water stream outlet conduit or the oil stream outlet conduit.

Abstract: A method for performing operations and for improving production in a well includes the steps of: providing radio identification devices at known locations in the well, and providing a reader device configured to read the identification devices, and to control the operations responsive to signals from the identification devices. The method also includes the steps of providing a process tool, and transporting the process tool and the reader device through the well. The reader device is programmed to control the process tool upon reception of a response signal from a selected identification device. The method can be used to perform perforating processes, packer setting processes, bridge plug setting processes, logging processes, inspection processes, chemical treating processes, and cleaning processes. In addition, the method can be performed dynamically by controlling the tool as it moves through the well, or statically by stopping the tool at a particular location within the well.

Abstract: A correlation system is provided to allow association of readings from a cable that is supported by a string but that is coiled around or has slack in one or many locations to a specific location along the string itself. Heat sources can be placed along the string to periodically or continuously give off heat that can be detected by a cable such as a fiber optic. The location of the sources along the string is known and the location along the cable is determined from the location on the cable where the heat generated by the source is sensed. One or more sources can be used and correlation can be by periodic sampling or in real time. The sources may by powered locally or from the surface.

Abstract: Downhole tools, such as a sliding sleeve or an openhole type packer, include position indicators. The position indicators can include one or more magnets disposed in predetermined positions in the outer housing and the insert of the sliding sleeve. A casing collar locator (CCL) can be used to detect the magnets and determine the relative positions of the housing magnets and insert magnets. The relative positions of the magnets can be used to determine the operational condition of the downhole tool, i.e., whether a sliding sleeve is open or closed or how much a sealing element of an openhole type packer had to expand to seal an annulus.

Abstract: A method for measuring formation property includes obtaining a set of measurements indicative of wellbore pressures for a selected duration after a pressure perturbation is created in a wellbore; obtaining at least one additional set of measurements indicative of formation pressures for the selected duration after the pressure perturbation; and deriving the formation property based on the set of measurements indicative of the wellbore pressures and the at least one additional set of measurements indicative of formation pressures. A system for measuring formation property includes a first pressure sensor disposed proximate a wellbore for measuring pressures in the wellbore; a second pressure sensor disposed in a formation at a predetermined distance from the wellbore; and a flow rate measuring device.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus and method for wellbore instability is described including a caliper with one or more radially extending arms which are capable of extending and retracting movement in a radial direction and a fluid supply facility to deliver treatment fluid from the ends of the arms to the wellbore wall, with a sensing and valve mechanism such that in use fluid is being delivered from the end of any extended arm to a breakout region of the wellbore where there is instability.

Abstract: One embodiment of a system for determining a wellbore parameter includes a pulse generator positioned in fluid communication with a wellbore such that a fluid can flow from the wellbore through the pulse generator, wherein the pulse generator selectively releases the fluid to flow through the pulse generator causing pressure pulses in the wellbore; a receiver in operational connection with the wellbore, the receiver detecting the pressure pulses; and a controller in functional connection with the receiver, the controller determining a wellbore parameter from receipt of a signal from the receiver in response to the detected pressure pulses.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of utilizing a pressure signature in conjunction with a plunger's fall time as an indicator of plunger location. The disclosed method can also indicate well and/or plunger conditions. A controller that can see and interpret slope change and/or pressure signature and automatically make changes to plunger fall time is also disclosed.

Abstract: A measurement system is provided that includes an integrated optics unit which measures at least one variable of the movement of a conveyance system relative to an oil well during an oil well operation, wherein the at least one variable is a direction of motion, a speed of movement, or a length of movement of the conveyance system.

Abstract: A riser monitoring assembly is provided to monitor and manage a riser extending between subsea well equipment and a floating vessel. A riser measurement instrument module is connected adjacent a selected portion of the riser provides dynamic orientation data for the selected portion of the riser. A computer having a memory associated therewith and riser system analyzing management software stored thereon is in communication with the riser measurement module to process data received therefrom. The riser monitoring assembly can utilize real-time orientation data for the selected portion of the riser to analyze the riser dynamic behavior, to determine a model of the real-time structure of the riser, to determine and manage the existence of vortex induced vibration, to determine and manage riser stress levels, to manage riser inspection and riser maintenance, and to supplement determination and management of the position of the vessel.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling production operations using fiber optic devices. An optical fiber carrying fiber-optic sensors is deployed downhole to provide information about downhole conditions. Parameters related to the chemicals being used for surface treatments are measured in real time and on-line, and these measured parameters are used to control the dosage of chemicals into the surface treatment system. The information is also used to control downhole devices that may be a packer, choke, sliding sleeve, perforating device, flow control valve, completion device, an anchor or any other device. Provision is also made for control of secondary recovery operations online using the downhole sensors to monitor the reservoir conditions. The present invention also provides a method of generating motive power in a wellbore utilizing optical energy. This can be done directly or indirectly, e.g., by first producing electrical energy that is then converted to another form of energy.

Abstract: A member having a body, the body having two spaced-apart ends, wave energizable identification apparatus which, in one aspect, is radio frequency identification apparatus with integrated circuit apparatus and antenna apparatus on the exterior of the body, and encasement structure encasing the identification apparatus, the encasement structure, in certain aspects, including one or a plurality of layers of heat resistant material and, in certain aspects, at least one layer of heat resistant material, and methods for producing such a member.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating the position of a movable device in a borehole. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a prior location probability distribution associated with a first position of the device in the borehole, (b) providing a measurement of a putative distance moved by the device and/or a measurement of a characteristic of the surroundings of the device, the or each measurement being associated with movement of the device to a subsequent position in the borehole, and (c) calculating a posterior location probability distribution associated with the subsequent position, the posterior location probability distribution being conditional on the prior location probability distribution, and the or each measurement.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling production operations using fiber optic devices. An optical fiber carrying fiber-optic sensors is deployed downhole to provide information about downhole conditions. Parameters related to the chemicals being used for surface treatments are measured in real time and on-line, and these measured parameters are used to control the dosage of chemicals into the surface treatment system. The information is also used to control downhole devices that may be a packer, choke, sliding sleeve, perforating device, flow control valve, completion device, an anchor or any other device. Provision is also made for control of secondary recovery operations online using the downhole sensors to monitor the reservoir conditions. The present invention also provides a method of generating motive power in a wellbore utilizing optical energy. This can be done directly or indirectly, e.g., by first producing electrical energy that is then converted to another form of energy.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the production rate of fluid from a subterranean zone includes monitoring a production stream from the subsurface zone for an amount of particulate matter. The rate of the production stream from the subterranean zone is automatically controlled based on the amount of particulate matter in the production stream.

Abstract: A method and system of monitoring the movement of at least one front in an inter-well region is comprised of: providing a first well representing the origination of at least one front (such as a saturation front or a salinity front); providing one or more monitoring locations, each equipped with at least one sensor; and monitoring the arrival of at least one front at one or more monitoring locations. The origination well may be any type of permanent or temporary well, but is preferably an injector well. Likewise, the monitoring location(s) may be any type of permanent or temporary well such as an observation well, a production well, an exploratory well, and an appraisal well. Information regarding front arrival times may be used to characterize or appraise the formation. Front arrivals may be monitored as a function of time to develop their respective time evolution and shape.

Abstract: In a production system for producing oil or gas from a well, the production system including a plunger in well tubing, and a motor valve in a sales line connected to a plunger lubricator which connects to the well tubing, a differential pressure controller system includes: a) a plunger arrival sensor; b) a plunger cycle controller receptive to signals from the plunger arrival sensor and receptive to signals from pressure transducers, for controlling the cycle of the plunger; c) a differential pressure controller; d) a first pressure transducer conductively coupled to the differential pressure controller, for measuring pressure in the well tubing, e) a second pressure transducer conductively coupled to the differential pressure controller for measuring pressure in the sales line; and f) a solenoid valve conductively coupled to the differential pressure controller and connected to the motor valve.

Abstract: A method for carrying out well construction, repair and abandonment operations, the method involves introducing a resin into a well and curing the same to form a seal, plug or connection, wherein the cured resin is expanded to at least the volume occupied by the resin prior to curing (compensating shrinkage), by cooling the well and curing the resin at a reduced temperature and subsequently allowing the well to reach its static bottom hole temperature. A method is also disclosed for analyzing the setting time, elastic properties, shrinkage/expansion, compressibility or coefficient of thermal expansion of thermosetting resins or oil well cements under simulated reservoir pressure and temperature conditions, which involves introducing a sample of a thermosetting resin or oil well cement into a pressure vessel that is equipped to provide the pressure and register the volume change to the analyzer used by this method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining a time to failure for an electronic device. The method and apparatus includes estimating a dependency of a bond strength degradation rate on at least one parameter and estimating a temperature profile of the electronic device. Furthermore, the method and apparatus determine a bond strength based on the dependency of the bond strength degradation rate and the temperature profile, and determine the time to failure for the electronic device based on a time evolution of the bond strength.

Abstract: Subterranean reservoir monitoring method, computer system with programming code for implementing the method, and computer readable media and data signal embodying such programming code, the method including one or more of: (a) reservoir screening; (b) reservoir modeling; (c) generating model seismic data from a model; (d) model modification based on current VSP data; (e) repeating step (c) and step (d) until differences between the model and VSP data are as desired; (f) obtaining model production data from a reservoir model, and if necessary modifying the model and returning to step (c); (g) generating seismic model data for time t; and (h) comparing seismic model data with actual seismic data for time t, and if necessary modify the reservoir model and return to step (f) or modify the model of the subteranean and return to step (c).

Abstract: An operating well of a fluid storage reserve, includes an outer wall delimiting, with a central operating tubing of the well, an annular space in which is placed a protective sheath of an electrical link cable between a surface installation and elements arranged in the well. A device for the measurement of physical parameters includes at least one compact, removable, sealed measuring subassembly arranged in a housing in communication with the interior of the central tubing and at least one compact, sealed connecting subassembly integral with the central tubing of the well and arranged at least partially in the annular space in the vicinity of the protective sheath to be connected to the electrical link cable. The sealed measuring subassembly and the sealed connecting subassembly have plane contact surfaces, each associated with a half-transformer so as to form an inductive coupling between the measuring subassembly and the connecting subassembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanical oil recovery method and system with a sucker-rod pump. The method calculates the lowest power loss or the lowest cost. The method comprises sequentially arranging internal diameter, steel grade of rod, pump diameter, pumping depth and stroke amplitude, searching the combinations of rods to calculate pump efficiency and the number of strokes, on the basis of Pinput=Pactive−Pexpansion+Ploss, and calculating, corresponding to the input power Pinput, active power Pactive, expansion power Ppeng, ground power loss Pd, sliding power loss Ph and viscose power loss Pv and the sum of losses Ploss. The mechanical oil-recovering cost is then calculated for each combination, and each mechanical oil-recovering parameter is chosen.

Abstract: An in situ treatment process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation. A fluid may be produced from at least part of the formation. Heat and/or other products in or from fluids produced from the formation may be used for hydrotreating.

Abstract: Plunger lift operations are difficult to optimize due to lack of knowledge of tubing pressure, casing pressure, bottom-hole pressure, liquid accumulation in the tubing and location of the plunger. Monitoring the plunger position in the tubing helps the operator (or controller) to optimize the removal of liquids and gas from the well. The plunger position can be tracked from the surface by monitoring acoustic signals generated as the plunger falls down the tubing. When the plunger passes by a tubing collar recess, an acoustic pulse is generated that travels up the gas within the tubing. The acoustic pulses are monitored at the surface, and are converted to an electrical signal by a microphone. The signal is digitized, and the digitized data is stored in a computer. Software processes this data along with the tubing and casing pressure data to display plunger depth, plunger velocity and well pressures vs. time.

Abstract: At least one sensor is mounted for monitoring the vertical position of an elevator relative to selected features on a pipe string. Mounting for a variety of sensor types is provided. Optional mounting arrangement permits the sensors to be situated close to a pipe free to move laterally, excess lateral movement of the pipe to move the mounting with reduced shock to the sensors.

Abstract: A tracer release method for monitoring fluid flow in a well utilizes a deformable container comprising a liquid tracer material which container has an outlet which debouches into the neck portion of a venturi in a well conduit. The container has a wall which is at least partly exposed to the fluid pressure at the relatively wide in- or outlet of the venturi, so that an amount of tracer is injected continuously or discontinuously into the well effluents which is proportional to the pressure difference p across the venturi, which pressure difference p is indicative of the fluid density &rgr; and squared fluid velocity &ugr;.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating cement plugs and other devices downhole in a wellbore. A cement plug is moved downhole into a wellbore through a casing, and a transmitter sends a signal to a receiver. A processor engaged with the receiver identifies the elevation or location of the cement plug. Accurate placement of the cement plug eliminates problems associated with underplacement and overplacement of cement in a wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing pipe such as large diameter casing in a wellbore. Sensors are positioned at a predetermined location at or near the upper surface of elevators suspended from a rig traveling block. As elevators are lowered over a section of pipe, such sensors provide a signal indicating that the elevators are positioned a desired distance below the top of the pipe. The signal alerts an operator that elevators are positioned properly relative to a pipe body so that slips within the elevators will be properly engaged against the outer surface of the pipe and not a connection upset or large diameter external coupling.

Abstract: A method for detecting inflow of fluid in a well while drilling, wherein the drilling is carried out using an installation including a hollow cylindrical drill string (3) wherein is injected fresh mud, a tubing (5) defining with the drill string (3) an annular space (7) through which the loaded mud rises; it involves continuously measuring a heat flow; then continuously calculating on the basis of the quantity the value of a characteristic representing a thermal equilibrium obtained in the absence of a fluid occurrence formation; and detecting variations in the characteristic, the variations representing a thermal imbalance, resulting from inflow of fluid in the well (1). The invention is particular by applicable in operating oil drilling installations particularly deep at sea.

Abstract: A downhole tool that is connectable to a line to be run downhole with the tool includes a housing, a sensor and a mechanism that is located inside the housing. The mechanism is coupled to the sensor to, in response to the detection of the feature by the sensor, generate a tension signal in the line without physically contacting a downhole structure.

Abstract: A method for using a controller to control a fluid pump by controlling the rate at which the pump fills with fluid and subsequently discharges fluid. The pump includes a chamber for collecting fluid from within a well bore in which the pump is disposed. A user inputs a pump cycle time and a pump cycle volume to the controller. The pump cycle time input is used to determine a cycling period for the pump. The pump cycle volume is used to allot a portion of the cycling period to the refilling of the pump with fluid and the remaining portion of the cycling period to the discharging of fluid from the pump. The controller controls the pump such that the pump is vented to atmosphere during the refill portion, allowing the pump to fill with fluid, and such that pressurized fluid, such as compressed gas, is injected into the pump during the discharge cycle, causing fluid collected within the pump to be discharged. In another mode of operation, a sensor is coupled to the controller.

Abstract: A tubing conveyed casing collar locator system that detects the casing collars in a wellbore and acoustically transmits the information through the tubing to the surface where it is detected and processed in a surface processor. The system comprises a downhole tool which comprises downhole sensors, a signal processor with memory, a drive circuit, a battery pack, and a signal generator. The surface system comprises a surface processor, depth system, and acoustic signal transmitter/receiver. The downhole tool detects casing collars as the tool is moved through the collar and acoustically transmits the data or stores the data in downhole memory according to programmed instructions. In one embodiment, the tool compares sensor signals from production elements, such as valves, to stored sensor signatures to uniquely identify the downhole element. In one embodiment, the downhole tool changes operating modes in response to surface command.

Abstract: A multi-valve well testing system adapted to be disposed downhole in a borehole, includes a plurality of valves and a plurality of well tool control systems connected, respectively, to the plurality of valves and further includes an automatic control mode feature. The well testing system includes a controller board which comprises a microprocessor and a read only memory (ROM). The ROM has encoded therein a set of microcode which, when executed by the microprocessor, causes the various plurality of valves in the well testing system to be opened and closed automatically, without intervention from the operator at the well surface. A kickoff stimulus is required in order to begin execution of the microcode by the microprocessor. This kickoff stimulus could include a sensing, by a pressure transducer, of a predetermined bottom hole pressure, or a sensing, by a strain gauge, of a predetermined set down weight of the well testing system.