What does "formation integrity testing" assess?

Formation integrity testing is a critical procedure used to evaluate the rock formation's ability to withstand drilling pressures without experiencing failure or fluid loss. This assessment is essential for ensuring the safety and stability of drilling operations. By determining the strength and sealing capability of the formation under pressure, operators can prevent blowouts and maintain control over wellbore stability.

This testing typically involves applying pressure to the formation and monitoring its response. A successful integrity test indicates that the formation can contain the pressures generated during drilling and can prevent unwanted fluid migration, which is crucial for protecting the environment and ensuring the safety of the drilling operation.

In contrast, the other options address different aspects that do not relate to the primary purpose of formation integrity testing. For example, the ability of a formation to house sediment is more about sedimentology than pressure integrity, the history of drilling operations pertains to operational records rather than current formation capability, and the presence of hydrocarbons, while important, does not inform on how well the formation can handle drilling pressures.