1

A Revision Article of
Oil Wells Performance Methods

The productivity index of a well, denoted by J , is a measure of the ability of the well to
produce. It is given by:

wf r
o
P P
Q
J

=

Where:

J = Wellbore productivity index, STB/day/psig
r
P = Average (static) reservoir pressure, psig
o
Q = Wellbore stabilized oil flow rate, STB/day
wf
P = Wellbore stabilized bottom-hole flowing pressure, psig

The productivity index is generally measured during a production test on the well, where the
well is shut-in until the static reservoir pressure
r
P is reached. The well is then allowed to flow at
a constant flow rate of
o
Q and a stabilized bottom-hole flowing pressure of
wf
P . It is important to
note that the productivity index is a valid measure only if the well is flowing at pseudo-steady
state conditions. Therefore, in order to accurately measure the productivity index of a well, it is
essential that the well is allowed to flow at a constant rate for a sufficient amount of time to
reach the pseudo-steady state condition.
A plot of the bottom hole pressure,
wf
P , versus the oil flow rate,
o
Q , of an oil well is called the
Inflow Performance Relationship and is referred to as IPR. The IPR curve is constructed either
for the present reservoir pressure or for the future reservoir pressure.
The present IPR curve of a well can be generated via many methods. The methods are
grouped into two main categories: The first category, that uses reservoir parameters, includes the
integral and Fetkovitch methods. The second category includes a set of Vogel-type empirical
correlations. To construct the IPR curve of a well using well performance, perform the following
steps:

Use the static reservoir pressure
r
P and the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure
( )
wf o
P Q & to calculate J as follows:

wf r
o
P P
Q
J

=

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of
wf
P and calculating the
corresponding
o
Q as follows:

( )
wf r o
P P J Q =

2

|
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
(

+
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
r
wf
p
p o o
ro
w
e
o
dp
B
k
s
r
r
kh
Q

75 . 0 ln 22 . 141

|
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
(

+
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
r
wf
p
p o o
ro
w
e
o
dp
B
k
s
r
r
kh
Q

75 . 0 ln 22 . 141
I. The Integral Form

Darcys equation can be expressed mathematically as:








The IPR curve is constructed by assuming various values of
wf
P and calculating the
corresponding
o
Q .
To construct the IPR curve of a well using well performance along with the integral method,
perform the following steps:

Use the static reservoir pressure and the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure to
calculate J as follows:

=
r
wf
P
P o o
o
dp
B
Q
J

1



Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of
wf
P and calculating the
corresponding
o
Q as follows:

dp
B
J Q
r
wf
P
P o o
o

=

1



II. Fetkovitch Method

Fetkovitch (1973) started with Darcys equation:







He considered two cases:

3
( )
( )
( ) ( )
wf r wf r
w
e
o o
o
P P J P P
s
r
r
B
kh
Q
wf
P
r
P
=
|
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
(

+
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
+
75 . 0 ln 22 . 141
2

( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
(

+
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
2 2
2 2
2
1
2
1
75 . 0 ln 22 . 141
wf b
b
b r
wf b
b
b r
w
e
P o o
o
P P
P
P P J
P P
P
P P
s
r
r
B
kh
Q
b

( )
( ) ( ) ( )
2 2 2 2 2 2
2 2
1
75 . 0 ln 22 . 141
wf r wf r
b
wf r
b
w
e
P o o
o
P P C P P
P
J
P P
P
s
r
r
B
kh
Q
b
= =
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
(

+
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

1. Saturated Oil Reservoir

b r
P P

When the reservoir pressure
r
P and the bottom-hole flowing pressure
wf
P are both below the
bubble-point pressure
b
P , the oil flow rate can be written as:









The constant C is referred to as the performance coefficient. The IPR curve is constructed by
assuming various values of
wf
P and calculating the corresponding
o
Q using the above equation.


2. Undersaturated Oil Reservoir
b r
P P >

Two cases are considered:

Case 1:
b wf
P P








Case 2:
b wf
P P <












III. Constant Productivity Index Method

The IPR curve of a well can be generated using the constant productivity index approach.
The productivity index of a well is defined as a measure of the well to produce. It is given by:

4
P
Q
P P
Q
J
o
wf r
o

=
Where:

J = Productivity index, STB/day/psi
o
Q = Oil flow rate, STB/day
r
P = Volumetric average drainage area pressure (static pressure), psi
wf
P = Bottom hole flowing pressure, psi

The productivity index is generally measured during a production test on the well. The well
is shut-in until the static reservoir pressure is reached. The well is then allowed to flow at a
constant flow rate of
o
Q and a stabilized bottom-hole flowing pressure of
wf
P . It is important to
note that the productivity index is a valid measure only if the well is flowing at pseudo-steady
state conditions. Therefore, in order to accurately measure the productivity index of a well, it is
essential that the well is allowed to flow at a constant rate for a sufficient amount of time to
reach the pseudo-steady state condition. The method is summarized as follows:

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure ( )
wf o
P Q & to calculate J as follows:

wf r
o
P P
Q
J

=

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of
wf
P and calculating the
corresponding
o
Q as follows:

( )
wf r o
P P J Q =

IV. Vogel Method

Vogel (1968) used a computer program to generate the IPRs for several hypothetical
saturated oil reservoirs producing under a wide range of conditions. When applying his method,
the only data required are: the average reservoir pressure
r
P , the oil bubble-point pressure
b
P ,
and the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure ( )
wf o
P Q & . Vogels methodology can be used to
predict the IPR curve for the following two types of reservoirs:


1. Saturated Oil Reservoirs
b r
P P

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure ( )
wf o
P Q & to calculate ( )
max o
Q as follows:

( )
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|

=
2 max
8 . 0 2 . 0 1
r
wf
r
wf
o
o
P
P
P
P
Q
Q

5
Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of
wf
P and calculating the
corresponding
o
Q as follows:

( )
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
=
2
max
8 . 0 2 . 0 1
r
wf
r
wf
o o
P
P
P
P
Q Q

2. Undersaturated Oil Reservoirs
b r
P P >

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure ( )
wf o
P Q & to calculate the productivity
index J as follows:


( )
( )

<
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+

=
b wf
b
wf
b
wf
b
b r
o
b wf
wf r
o
P P
P
P
P
P
P
P P
Q
P P
P P
Q
J
2
8 . 0 2 . 0 1
8 . 1



Calculate the oil flow rate at the bubble-point pressure:

( )
b r ob
P P J Q =


Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of
wf
P and calculating the
corresponding
o
Q as follows:

( )

<
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+

=
b wf
b
wf
b
wf
b
ob
b wf wf r
o
P P
P
P
P
P
JP
Q
P P P P J
Q
2
8 . 0 2 . 0 1
8 . 1




V. Wiggins (1993) Method

Wiggins (1993) used four sets of relative permeability and fluid property data as the basic
input for a computer program to generate the IPRs for several hypothetical saturated oil
reservoirs producing under a wide range of conditions. The only data required are: the average
6
reservoir pressure
r
P , the oil bubble-point pressure
b
P , and the stabilized wellbore rate and
pressure ( )
wf o
P Q & . This method is considered for the following two types of reservoirs:


1. Saturated Oil Reservoirs
b r
P P

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure ( )
wf o
P Q & to calculate( )
max o
Q as follows:
( )
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|

=
2 max
48 . 0 52 . 0 1
r
wf
r
wf
o
o
P
P
P
P
Q
Q
Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of
wf
P and calculating the
corresponding
o
Q as follows:
( )
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
=
2
max
48 . 0 52 . 0 1
r
wf
r
wf
o o
P
P
P
P
Q Q

2. Undersaturated Oil Reservoirs
b r
P P >

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure ( )
wf o
P Q & to calculate the productivity
index J as follows:

( )
( )

<
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+

=
b wf
b
wf
b
wf
b
b r
o
b wf
wf r
o
P P
P
P
P
P
P
P P
Q
P P
P P
Q
J
2
48 . 0 52 . 0 1
8 . 1



Calculate the oil flow rate at the bubble-point pressure:

( )
b r ob
P P J Q =


Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of
wf
P and calculating the
corresponding
o
Q as follows:

7
( )

<
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+

=
b wf
b
wf
b
wf
b
ob
b wf wf r
o
P P
P
P
P
P
JP
Q
P P P P J
Q
2
48 . 0 52 . 0 1
8 . 1




VI. Wiggins (1996) Method

In 1996, Wiggins derived an equation for the prediction of oil well performance. His
equation can be used as follows:


1. Saturated Oil Reservoirs
b r
P P

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure ( )
wf o
P Q & to calculate( )
max o
Q as follows:
( )
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|

=
4 3 2 max
8464 . 0 5579 . 1 6183 . 1 0933 . 0 1
r
wf
r
wf
r
wf
r
wf
o
o
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Q
Q
Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of
wf
P and calculating the
corresponding
o
Q as follows:
( )
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
=
4 3 2
max
8464 . 0 5579 . 1 6183 . 1 0933 . 0 1
r
wf
r
wf
r
wf
r
wf
o o
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Q Q

2. Undersaturated Oil Reservoirs
b r
P P >

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure ( )
wf o
P Q & to calculate the productivity
index J as follows:

( )
( )

<
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+

=
b wf
b
wf
b
wf
b
wf
b
wf
b
b r
o
b wf
wf r
o
P P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P P
Q
P P
P P
Q
J
4 3 2
8464 . 0 5579 . 1 6183 . 1 0933 . 0 1
8 . 1


Calculate the oil flow rate at the bubble-point pressure:
8

( )
b r ob
P P J Q =

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of
wf
P and calculating the
corresponding
o
Q as follows:

( )

<
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+

=
b wf
b
wf
b
wf
b
wf
b
wf
b
ob
b wf wf r
P P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
JP
Q
P P P P J
Q 4 3 2
8464 . 0 5579 . 1 6183 . 1 0933 . 0 1
8 . 1



VII. The Klins-Clark Method

Klins and Clark (1993) proposed an inflow expression similar in form to that of Vogels and
can be used to estimate future IPR data. This method is considered for the following two types of
reservoirs:


1. Saturated Oil Reservoirs
b r
P P

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure ( )
wf o
P Q & to calculate( )
max o
Q as follows:
( )
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|

=
d
r
wf
r
wf
o
o
P
P
P
P
Q
Q
705 . 0 295 . 0 1
max

Where:
( )
b
b
r
P
P
P
d 001 . 0 24 . 1 72 . 0 28 . 0 +
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of
wf
P and calculating the
corresponding
o
Q as follows:
( )
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
=
d
r
wf
r
wf
o o
P
P
P
P
Q Q 705 . 0 295 . 0 1
max


2. Undersaturated Oil Reservoirs
b r
P P >

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure ( )
wf o
P Q & to calculate the productivity
index J as follows:

9
( )
( )

<
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+

=
b wf
d
b
wf
b
wf
b
b r
o
b wf
wf r
o
P P
P
P
P
P
P
P P
Q
P P
P P
Q
J
705 . 0 295 . 0 1
8 . 1


Calculate the oil flow rate at the bubble-point pressure:

( )
b r ob
P P J Q =


Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of
wf
P and calculating the
corresponding
o
Q as follows:

( )

<
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+

=
b wf
d
b
wf
b
wf
b
ob
b wf wf r
o
P P
P
P
P
P
JP
Q
P P P P J
Q
705 . 0 295 . 0 1
8 . 1





VIII. FPPs Method

The FPP solution method is given by:

2
2 1 0
x a x a a y + + =

Using the least square method, we obtain a system of three equations in three unknowns
2 1 0
, , a a a :




= + +
= + +
= + +
N N N N
N N N N
N N N
y x x a x a x a
y x x a x a x a
y x a x a N a



2 4
2
3
1
2
0
3
2
2
1 0
2
2 1 0


N is the number of data points. In matrix form, this can be written as:

10

(
(
(
(
(

N
N
N
N N N
N N N
N N
y x
y x
y
a
a
a
x x x
x x x
x x N

2
2
1
0
4 3 2
3 2
2


The power is solved for to minimize the residual root mean square (RRMS):

( )

=
=
N
i
cal obs
z z
N
RRMS
1
2
1


Once the set of equations has been solved, the following equations are solved:

0 max ,
a Q
o
=

1 max , 1
a Q a
o
=

2 max , 2
a Q a
o
=

r
wf
P
P
x =

o
Q y =

This methodology can be used to predict the IPR curve for the following two types of
reservoirs:


1. Saturated Oil Reservoirs
b r
P P

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of
wf
P and calculating the
corresponding
o
Q as follows:

(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
=
2
2 1 max ,
1
r
wf
r
wf
o o
P
P
a
P
P
a Q Q

2. Undersaturated Oil Reservoirs
b r
P P >

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure ( )
wf o
P Q & to calculate the productivity
index J as follows:


11
( )
( )

<
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+

=
b wf
b
wf
b
wf
b
b r
o
b wf
wf r
o
P P
P
P
a
P
P
a
P
P P
Q
P P
P P
Q
J
2
2 1
1
8 . 1



Calculate the oil flow rate at the bubble-point pressure:

( )
b r ob
P P J Q =


Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of
wf
P and calculating the
corresponding
o
Q as follows:

( )

<
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+

=
b wf
b
wf
b
wf
b
ob
b wf wf r
o
P P
P
P
a
P
P
a
JP
Q
P P P P J
Q
2
2 1
1
8 . 1


12
Predicting Future IPRs

As the average reservoir pressure
r
P declines, the IPR curve is shifted. There are several
methods that are designed to address the problem of how the IPR might shift. Four simple
approximation methods are presented.


1. Vogels Method

Vogels method provides a rough approximation of the future ( )
f o
Q
max,
at the specified future
f r
P
,
as follows:
( ) ( )
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
p r
f r
p r
f r
p o f o
P
P
P
P
Q Q
,
,
,
,
max, max,
8 . 0 2 . 0

Where the subscripts f and p refer to the future and previous respectively. The calculated
( )
f o
Q
max,
can be used to predict the future IPR at
f r
P
,
.


2. Fetkovitch

This method, proposed by Fetkovitch (1973), provides a simple approximation of the future
( )
f o
Q
max,
at the specified future
f r
P
,
as follows:
( ) ( )
3
,
,
max, max,
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
p r
f r
p o f o
P
P
Q Q

Where the subscripts f and p refer to future and present respectively. The calculated ( )
f o
Q
max,

can be used to predict the future IPR at
f r
P
,
.

3. Wiggins Method

Wiggins (1993) proposed the following relationship:

( ) ( )
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
p r
f r
p r
f r
p o f o
P
P
P
P
Q Q
,
,
,
,
max, max,
84 . 0 15 . 0


4. Standings Method

Standing (1970) extended the application of Vogels to predict future IPR of a well as a
function of reservoir pressure. He noted that Vogels equation can be arranged as:

13
( )
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
r
wf
r
wf
o
o
P
P
P
P
Q
Q
8 . 0 1 1
max
(1)

Standing introduced the productivity index J as follows:

( )
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
r
wf
r
o
P
P
P
Q
J 8 . 0 1
max
(2)
He then defined the present (current) zero drawdown productivity index as:

( )
(

=
r
o
p
P
Q
J
max
*
8 . 1 (3)

Where
*
p
J is Standings zero-drawdown productivity index. The
*
p
J is related to the productivity
index J by:

(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
r
wf
p
P
P
J
J
8 . 0 1
8 . 1
1
*
(4)

Combining equations (1) and (3) to eliminate ( )
max o
Q yields:

( )
( ) ( )
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|

(
(

=
f r
wf
f r
wf f r f
o
P
P
P
P P J
Q 8 . 0 1 1
8 . 1
*
(5)

Where the subscripts f refers to future condition. Standing suggested that
*
f
J is estimated from
the present value of
*
p
J by the following expression:

p
o o
ro
f
o o
ro
p f
B u
k
B u
k
J J
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
* *
(6)

If relative permeability data is not available,
*
f
J can be estimated from:

( )
( )
2
* *
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
p r
f r
p f
P
P
J J (7)

Standings methodology for predicting a future IPR is summarized in the following steps:


Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure ( )
wf o
P Q & to calculate( )
max o
Q as follows:

14
( )
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
r
wf
r
wf
o
o
P
P
P
P
Q
Q
8 . 0 1 1
max


Calculate
*
p
J using:
( )
(

=
r
o
p
P
Q
J
max
*
8 . 1
Calculate
*
f
J using:
p
o o
ro
f
o o
ro
p f
B u
k
B u
k
J J
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
* *


if relative permeability data is not available,
*
f
J can be estimated from:

( )
( )
2
* *
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
p r
f r
p f
P
P
J J
Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of
wf
P and calculating the
corresponding
o
Q as follows:

( )
( ) ( )
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|

(
(

=
f r
wf
f r
wf f r f
o
P
P
P
P P J
Q 8 . 0 1 1
8 . 1
*