ABSTRACT
This paper presents the equipment requirements and field procedures needed for safely and efficiently conducting in-situ formation stress tests (stress tests). It is set apart from other papers which primarily present data and describe analysis procedures. This work briefly discusses when stress tests are practical and what can be learned. The majority of the work describes detailed equipment requirements and field procedures for openhole and cased-hole tests. Different considerations are also mentioned when working with nitrogen and water. Encountered and potential problems are discussed alerting the operator to equipment and events requiring careful attention. An example is provided outlining actual testing time and related costs along with the information obtained.
