Significance and Use Test Method—The pulse test method is used
to determine the transmissivity and storativity of low-
permeability formations surrounding the packed-off intervals.
This test method is considerably shorter in duration than the
pump and slug tests used in more permeable rocks. To obtain
results to the desired accuracy, pump and slug tests in low-
permeability formations are too time consuming, as indicated in
Fig. 1 (from Bredehoeft and Papadopulos (1)). Analysis—The
transient pressure data obtained using the suggested method are
evaluated by the curve-matching technique described by
Bredehoeft and Papadopulos (1), or by an analytical technique
proposed by Wang et al (2). The latter is particularly useful
for interpreting pulse tests when only the early-time transient
pressure decay data are available. Conversions—The permeability
of a formation is often expressed in terms of the unit darcy. A
porous medium has a permeability of 1 darcy when a fluid of
viscosity 1 cP (1 mPa·s) flows through it at