PRODUCTION OPERATIONS
Presented by Eng. Widerman Moukassa
[Link]
A. Productivity Index (PI) C. Vogel’s equation for IPR
This PI is used for Oil well (single-phase): This equation is used when the reservoir drive
mechanism is the Solution Gas Drive
𝒒 𝒒 𝑷𝒘𝒇 𝑷𝒘𝒇 𝟐
PI= = 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟐( ) - 0.8 ( )
𝒒𝒎𝒂𝒙 𝑷𝒓 𝑷𝒓
𝑷𝒓 −𝑷𝒘
D. Back-Pressure Equation
This is used for Gas Well Deliverability
B. Darcy’s Equation for IPR 𝒒𝒈 = 𝑪(𝑷𝟐𝒓 − 𝑷𝟐𝒘𝒇 )𝒏
It is used for (Oil, Undersaturated) Where:
C = deliverability coefficient
0.00708𝑘ℎ n = flow exponent (≈ 0.5 – 1)
𝑞𝑜 = 𝑟𝑒 (𝑃𝑟 - 𝑃𝑤𝑓 ) (typically 0.5 ≤ n ≤ 1.0)
𝜇𝐵[𝑙𝑛 +𝑆]
𝑟𝑤
• qg = gas flow rate (MSCF/day or MMscf/day)
• Pr = average reservoir pressure (psi)
• Pwf = flowing bottom-hole pressure (psi)
• C = well deliverability coefficient
Physical Meaning of the Parameters
C (Deliverability constant):
Reflects reservoir quality, permeability, thickness, and well completion.
n (Flow exponent):
o ( n ≈ 1 ): laminar (Darcy) flow
o ( n < 1 ): non-Darcy (turbulent) flow near the wellbore
Gas Well Deliverability – Back-Pressure Equation
Gas well deliverability describes the ability of a gas reservoir to deliver gas to the wellbore under
a given pressure drawdown.
Because gas is highly compressible, gas inflow behavior is non-linear, and Darcy’s oil IPR equation
is not directly applicable.
A. Productivity Index (PI)
The Productivity Index (PI) is a linear measure of a well’s ability to produce fluids
The PI is used for Oil well (single-phase):
𝒒
PI=
𝑷𝒓 −𝑷𝒘
❑ Key characteristics
▪ Assumes single-phase flow
▪ Valid when reservoir pressure > bubble point (𝑷𝒓 > 𝑷𝒃 )
▪ Straight-line IPR
▪ Constant PI
❑ Typical application
➢ Oil wells above bubble-point pressure
➢ Early life of oil wells
➢ Quick performance estimates
❑ Limitation : Not valid when free gas evolves in the reservoir
B. Darcy’s Equation for IPR Key characteristics
❑ Physics-based
Darcy’s Equation for IPR (Radial Flow) ❑ Linear relationship between q and pressure
It is a fundamental flow equation derived from drawdown
Darcy’s law, describing fluid flow through porous
❑ Assumes:
media. It is used for (Oil, Undersaturated)
• Single-phase flow
• Laminar flow
❑ Oil well (steady-state radial flow)
• Steady-state or PSS
Limitation
2𝜋𝑘ℎ Not valid below bubble point (two-phase flow
𝑞𝑜 = 𝑟𝑒 (𝑃𝑟 - 𝑃𝑤𝑓 )
𝜇𝑜 𝐵𝑜 [𝑙𝑛 𝑟𝑤
+𝑆]
Relationship to PI
or Darcy’s equation defines PI:
0.00708𝑘ℎ
𝑞𝑜 = 𝑟𝑒 (𝑃𝑟 - 𝑃𝑤𝑓 )
𝜇𝐵[𝑙𝑛 𝑟𝑤
+𝑆]
𝟐𝝅𝒌𝒉
𝑷𝑰 =
𝒓
𝝁𝒐 𝑩𝒐 [𝒍𝒏 𝒆 + 𝑺]
𝒓𝒘
C. Vogel’s equation for IPR
❑ Key characteristics
It is an empirical equation that models non- ▪ Accounts for solution-gas drive
linear IPR behavior for oil wells below bubble- ▪ Non-linear IPR curve
point pressure.
▪ Does not require reservoir properties
This equation is used when the reservoir drive
mechanism is the Solution Gas Drive ❑ Typical application
▪ Oil wells producing below bubble point
𝒒 𝑷𝒘𝒇 𝑷𝒘𝒇 𝟐 ▪ Nodal analysis with PROSPER
= 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟐( ) - 0.8 ( )
𝒒𝒎𝒂𝒙 𝑷𝒓 𝑷𝒓
▪ Production forecasting
❑ Limitation
▪ Not suitable for gas wells
▪ Empirical (not physics-based)
D. Back-Pressure Equation
An empirical deliverability equation used for
gas wells, especially when non-Darcy flow
exists. It is used for Gas Well Deliverability
❑ Rawlins & Schellhardt equation
❑ Key characteristics
𝒒𝒈 = 𝑪(𝑷𝟐𝒓 − 𝑷𝟐𝒘𝒇 )𝟐 ▪ Used for gas well deliverability testing
▪ Captures turbulence and high-velocity effects
▪ Industry standard for gas wells
Where:
❑ Typical application
C = deliverability coefficient
✓ Gas wells
n = flow exponent (≈ 0.5 – 1)
✓ AOF (Absolute Open Flow) estimation
✓ Gas production forecasting
• qg = gas flow rate (MSCF/day or MMscf/day)
• Pr = average reservoir pressure (psi)
• Pwf = flowing bottom-hole pressure (psi)
• C = well deliverability coefficient
Comparison Table
Concept /application Fluid Type Linearity Pressure Range Nature
Productivity Index (PI) Oil Linear Above bubble point Simplified
Darcy IPR Oil / Gas Linear Single-phase Physics-based
Vogel IPR Oil Non-linear Below bubble point Empirical
Back-Pressure Equation Gas Non-linear All gas regimes Empirical
1- Off –Shore. Platform
2- On- shore. Land Rigs Barges
Drillship Semi- Jack-up
submersible
Water Depth vs. Rig Types
FPSO Welpaathaven, Port of Rotterdam
Circular FPSO In Norway