Disclosed are methods and systems for characterizing an intermittently produced beam pumped hydrocarbon producing well that is controlled by a Type II pump off controller. The well is operated at production pumping conditions while a pressure signal and/or a production rate signal is monitored, without the need for a conventional pressure-buildup shut in period to obtain well data. A set of theoretical type curves is plotted using a type curve algorithm that successively solves for the duration of each producing time (ΔtpN). A dimensionless curve of the percentage run time versus the number of production cycles for the well is also plotted. The theoretical type curve closest matching the dimensionless curve is identified. From the closest matching type curve, Δtp1/Δts is determined wherein Δtp1 is the amount of time for a first production period of the well and Δts is an operator defined shut in period, and Δtp1 is calculated. A well property selected from the group consisting of formation permeability, skin, productivity index and combinations thereof can be calculated using the well data and Δtp1.