What Does
Oil Production Rate Mean?
The oil production rate is the rate per unit of time at which oil is produced in a well. The production of oil is measured in barrels and production rate is reported in barrels per day. The performance of an oil well can be estimated by its productivity index.
During the lifespan of a well, the rate of oil production may be lesser than expected, requiring the use of an artificial technique to lift it. Gas lift is a method that is reliable and simple and does not require the use of a downhole pump.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Oil Production Rate
During gas lift operation, the oil production rate increases as gas injection rate increases. As the injection rate of gas increases, the producing oil well will experience a decrease in gravitational pressure drop while experiencing an increase in frictional pressure drop. There are two types of gas injection methods namely, intermittent gas injection and continuous gas injection.
Intermittent gas injection is a gas-lift pumping method in which gas is delivered to the well for a short period of time known an 'on time' followed by an 'off time' during which no gas is delivered. It helps in the gas production process and is installed in wells with low bottom hole pressure.
Continuous gas injection is a gas lift pumping method in which high pressure gas is continuously injected down the annulus through a gas lift valve into the tubing. This reduces the wellbore pressure on the formation resulting in a drawdown between the wellbore and formation allowing production of fluid.