The production of oil and gas is possible only because of potential energy stored in the compressed fluids and rock of the reservoir or because of energy added to the reservoir. Reservoir energy is released when a pressure difference is imposed between the wellbore and the reservoir, and a well is produced. While this pressure differential is maintained, fluids will flow from high- to low-pressure. If the pressure at the wellbore is sufficient to lift the column of fluid, the well will flow; if not, it must be artificially lifted. Energy sources in a reservoir vary and this largely determines the efficiency of oil and gas recovery. The sources of energy for oil production are listed in Table 1(below) . The dominant type of energy determines the type of "drive" mechanism attributed to a given reservoir. These mechanisms are listed in Table 2 (below). Reservoir energy sources: Gas dissolved in oil Free gas under pressure
hydrostatic-hydrodynamic compressed water, gas, oil Elastically compressed rock Gravity Combinations of the above Table 1 (above) Reservoir drive mechanisms: Solution-gas drive gas dissolved in oil Cas-cap drive free gap cap under pressure Water drive hydrostatic/hydrodynamic pressure and compressed water Gravity drainage density differences of fluids Table 2 (above)
A reservoirs overall means of production is usually a result of some combination of two or more of the drive mechanisms shown in Table 2. In general, water drive reservoirs have the highest primary oil recoveries, while solution has drive reservoirs have the lowest. Typical recovery ranges are 12 to 37 percent for solution gas drive (median 20 percent), 15 to 60 percent for has cap drive (median 33 percent), and 28-84 percent for water drive (median 51 percent).
Conditions Needed for Segregation Gravity drainage is one of the most efficient recovery mechanisms when conditions are favorable. Under the influence of gravity, water, oil, and gas separate according to their densities. Gravity drainage is a slow process. The rate of recovery from a reservoir influ enced solely by this mechanism is time-dependent, similar to the case of the water drive mechanism. Gravity drainage is most effective in thick reservoirs with high vertical fluid communication and continuity. It is also effective in thin reservoirs with an appreciable angle of dip (at least 10 to 15) and a favorable permeability to flow in the vertical direction. Reservoirs with shale stringers or laminations are not good candidates for gravity drainage. Conditions and parameters needed for effective gravity drainage are indicated by considering the following equation. The rate of segregation of gas in an oil reservoir is
(52) where: qs = rate of gravity segregation in RB/D A = cross-sectional area of the linear bed in ft2 = oil-specific gravity minus gas-specific gravity = angle of dip in degrees = gas viscosity in cp kg = gas, effective vertical permeability evaluated at So = 1 - Swc - Sgr , in md o = oil viscosity in cp ko = oil, effective vertical permeability evaluated at So = 1 - Swc - Sgr , in md Equation 52 shows that the factors favorable to gravity segregation are , the difference in specific gravity between the oil and the gas. The higher it is, the faster the segregation. high vertical ko and kg low o
a high dip angle a large cross-sectional area available to segregation. Recovery Factor As we stated, gravity drainage is the most efficient drive mechanism. When complete segregation (i.e, full gravity drainage) occurs, recovery may approach
If the initial oil saturation is 80% and Sor = 25%, recovery is 68% of the initial oil in place. In many reef reservoirs where vertical communication is good and the oil viscosity is low it is not uncommon to obtain recovery by gravity segregation in the range of 60%. The main disadvantage of gravity drainage is that it is a slow process. Therefore, one hardly ever takes full advantage of gravity drainage because the oil production rate is normally much higher than the segregation rate.