Petro 424

Section I
PI, IPR Curves

Productivity Index - J -

The ratio of the production rate of a well to its

drawdown pressure.
bpd/psi

Drawdown Pressure -p- The pressure drop between the reservoir ( ps)
and the flowing bottom hole pressure (pwf).

J=

q
p s p wf

(1-1)

note: q here is the gross liquid production rate in bpd.

Ideally pwf for a q is measured using a bottom hole pressure gauge. A build
up or drawdown test is used to calculate ps along with other parameters such
as a skin factor (s). Equation 1-1 uses these values to get a productivity
index for the well.
Using the radial flow equation
p = p wf +

r
q o
ln
.007082kh rw

(1-2)

which gives
q
.007082kh
=
=J
p p wf

r
o ln r
w

J or other parameters can be calculated depending on the known data.

(1-3)

Example 1-1 A Permo-Penn well is flowing 156 bopd from perforations at

10,454 to 10,468 ft. The bottom hole flowing pressure is recorded at 250 psi
and the reservoir pressure is of the field has been recorded at 3410 psi. Find
J.
Using equation 1-1
J = 156 / 3410 - 250
J=.049 bpd/psi

Example 1-2 A field is drilled up on rectangular 80 acre spacing. The

reservoir pressure is 1000 psi, the permeability 50 md, the net sand thickness
20 feet, the oil viscosity 3 cp, and the oil formation factor 1.25. The wells
are completed with 7 inch casing. Calculate the J for this well.
The distance between wells on 80 acre spacing is 1864 ft, so r can be
assumed to be 932 ft, ln(932/.292) = 8.06.
Using equation 1-3
J = .007082 * 50 * 20 / 1.25 * 3 *8.06
J = .234 bpd/psi

Skin Effect s
The pressure drop caused by the near wellbore skin effect is defined
by the equation
p s =

q
s
2kh

(1-4)

Add the pressure loss from skin to equation 1-2

p = p wf +

q o r

ln r + s
w

.007082kh

(1-5)

So equation 1-3 becomes

q
.007082kh
=J
=
p p wf
o ln r r + s
w

(1-6)

Ideal PI JI
q

JI =

p s p wf p skin

bpd/psi

(1-7)

bpd/psi

(1-8)

bpd/psi/ft

(1-9)

Actual PI JA
Ja =

q
p s p wf

Js =

q
h ( p s p wf )

Specific PI - Js

Effective wellbore radius

rw/ = rw e s

ft

(1-10)

Productivity Index in Horizontal Wells

Drainage pattern formed around a horizontal well

A schematic of horizontal well drainage area.

Generally the length of a horizontal well is much greater than the reservoir
thickness. In this case the flow in the well can be described by
qh =

.007078k h hp
1

ln (4reh / L )

(1-11)

This gives:
Jh =

.007078k h h
1

ln (4reh / L )

(1-12)

In many cases there is a horizontal-to-vertical permeability anisotropy which

effects the flow into the wellbore. For this case

.007078k h hp
q =

2
2

a + a ( L / 2)
ln

L/2

I h
I
h

ani
+ ani ln

L (rw ( I ani + 1) )

(1-13)

where
I ani =

L
r
a = .5 + .25 + eH
2
L/2

kh
kv

4 .5

.5

for L/2 <0.9reH

You can find the equation for Jh.

To include skin effect

.007078k h hp
q =

2
2

a + a ( L / 2)
ln

L/2

I h
I
h
'
ani
+ seq
+ ani ln

L (rw ( I ani + 1) )

k
1
4 a H ,max a H ,MAX
'
2 +

= 1 ln
1
+
seq
r

(
)
1
3
+
k
I
r

w
s
ani
w

(1-14)

(1-15)

aH,max is the largest horizontal axis of the cone of damage.

Homework #1
Problem #1
For a well that has the following;
spacing = 40 acres
ps = 2000 psi
= 2.5cp
h = 12 ft

casing 5 1/2
o = 1.25
k = 25 md

Find J and Js for this well. Calculate the pwf for a q of 100 bopd and 12
bwpd and also for 200 bopd and 25 bwpd.

Problem #2
Find the J and kh for a well with the following;
spacing = 40 acres
= 2.8 cp
ps = 3400 psi
qo = 250 bopd
GOR = 1200 ft3/bbl

casing 4
= 1.15
pwf = 1250 psi
qw = 500 bwpd

Equation 1-1 can be rewritten as

q = J p

(1-16)

It can be seen that the relationship between q & p is a straight line that
passes through the origin.
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0

Drawdown psi
figure 1

Equation 1-1 can also be rewritten as

pwf = ps - q/J

(1-17)

With ps and J constant for any particular instant the plot of q vs BHFP will
be a straight line as shown in figure 2. The point when BHFP is zero or at
the greatest p is called the wells potential. It is the maximum rate that the
well could produce, it is noted that physically a BFP of 0 psi is basically not
attainable.

3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0

q bpd
figure 2

In the olden days this potential was to calculate the allowable for the well in
many states.

Effects of Water Production

Relative permeabilities can be used to calculate separately the flow of both
oil and water.
ko = kkro
kw = kkrw
(1-18)
kro relative perm to oil krw relative perm to water
Since the relative permeabilities are function of the oil and water saturations
of the reservoir so are the flow rates of the oil and water.
qo =

.007082k o h( p p wf

o o ln r r + s
w

qw =

.007082k w h( p p wf

w w ln r r + s
w

(1-20)

Pseudo-Steady State Flow

For wells that have a no-flow boundaries. These boundaries can be caused
by the production of adjacent wells or a natural boundary, fault or pinchout .
These are the equations that are used on older wells. The pressure at the
boundary can be calculated by using
p e = p wf +

141.2q re
ln .5
kh
rw

(1-21)

A much more helpful equation would be one that uses the average reservoir
pressure which can be obtain in the field by means of a pressure test. This
equation is
_

p p wf =

J=

141.2 q re
ln .75
kh
rw

.007082kh
r

ln e .75
rw

(1-22)

(1-21)

With the addition of skin

J =

.007082kh
r

ln e + s .75
rw

(1-22)

In Flow Performance Relationship - IPR Curves

The Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) for a well is the relationship
between the flow rate of the well q and the flowing pressure of the well pwf.
In single phase flow this is a straight line but when gas is moving in the
reservoir, at a pressure below the bubble point, this in not a linear
relationship.

Figure 3

Factors influencing the shape of the IPR are the pressure drop and relative k
across the reservoir.

table 1
It can be seen that the majority of the pressure drop caused by production is
near the wellbore. This is confirmed by the radial flow equation. In this
situation even if the average reservoir pressure is above the bubble point, the
area around the wellbore is not, which causes the gas to come out of solution

in this area causing the relative permeability (which is based on fluid

saturation) of the liquids to change. As the pwf is lower for a greater flow
rate the greater this effect has on the well which causes the IPR Curve to
bend down.

2 Stratified Formation or Zones

figure 4
When zones of varying kh are opened in a well, the one with the highest kh
well contribute more to the production of the well, then the lower kh zones
will contribute, thus the average reservoir pressure of the high kh zones
drops faster than the other zones in the well. This causes the zones to start
flowing at different flowing bottom hole pressures. At the lower rates or
higher flowing pressures it is the zone with the lowest kh that have the
highest average pressure so that it produces first and then as the flowing
pressure drops below the average pressure of the other zones that start to
contribute to the flow. The PI of the well improves as more of the zones
contribute, so the PI improves with the lowering of the flowing pressure.

figure- 5

Vogels Method
Vogel developed an empirical equation for the shape of the IPR curve.
p
p
q
= 1 .2 _wf .8 _wf

q'
p
p

(1-23)

where q is the potential of the well or flow at 0 pwf.

Using the productivity index J we get
p wf
q J (( p s p wf )
=
= 1 _
q'
Jp s
p

(1-24)

assuming ps and average reservoir pressure approximately the same.

Hence the difference between the value of q derived from the Vogel
equation and the straight line method is

p
wf
qvm qsl = .8q' _

1 p wf
_

(1-25)

The value is always positive, and at the end points, pwf = p and pwf = 0 it is 0.
Standing rewrote the equation
p wf
q
= 1
q'
p

1 + .8 wf
p

(1-26)

this gives
J =

p wf
q'
(1 + .8
)
p
p

(1-27)

as pwf goes to p
J* =

1.8q'
p

J* =

1.8 J
p

1 + .8 wf p

(1-28)

combining
(1-29)

using the pseudo-steady state radial flow equation

J* =

.007082k o h
o o ln re r .75

(1-30)

by canceling out constant terms

ko

o of

=
J *p k o

o o p

J *f

(1-31)

by using

q= J*p/1.8 in Vogels equation we get

2
p wf
p wf
J*p

.8
q=
1 .2
1.8
p
p

(1-32)

Homework #2
1)Take the data from problem 1, homework on and calculate the J of a
horizontal well with a 1000 horizontal section and a formation thickness
of 25 and effective radius of 450 from the well bore. Change the L to
1500 and find J.
Calculate J if the well has a vertical k of 15 md and 30 md.
2) Well #2A is flowing at 1120 bopd through 2 7/8 tubing. There is
zero water cut, and the GLR is 820 scf/bbl. A pressure survey on the well
shows that the flowing pressure at 6470 is 675 psig, while the pressure
build up shows a static pressure of 2080 psig at a datum level of 6500.
Using Vogels method, draw the IPR curve, and estimate the wells
potential.
Reservoir analysis indicates that the ratio of the value of kro/oo @ 2080
psi to its value at the static pressure of 1500 psig is 1.57. Estimate what
the wells potential rate will be when the static pressure dropped to 1500
psig.

Fetkovichs Approximation
Since Vogels method is not always in accordance with field data, Fetkovich
suggested

2
q o = C p 2 p wf

(1-34)
the equation becomes

2
q o = J ' p 2 p wf

( )

q o' = J ' p 2

(1-33)

.007082khk ro
o o ln(re r )2 pi
w

J'=

if

(1-35)

(1-36)

Fetkovich assumed that the log log plot of qo vs p2 is a straight line with a
unity slope, n=1.
Using Fekovich
1) plot the q vs p2
2) Find the slope of line
3) Calculate J using one of the flow rates
4) Using J calculate the wells potential and pwf for any other rate.
5) If only rate and pressure is known assume a slope of 1

Potential of Gas Wells

Calculated Open Absolute Flow
Multi-point Test
Back Pressure Test
Four Point Test
By definition COAF is the flow when pws is equal to 0 psi.
Starting with the radial flow for gas
q sc =

2
.703kh( p s2 p ws
)
Tz ln( r r )
w

(1-37)

taking and z as constants at the values of the average reservoir pressure

and rewriting equation 1-10 in the general form

2
q sc = C ps2 pwf

(1-38)

where
C=

.703kh

(1-39)

T z ln( r r )
w

taking the log of both sides

2
log q sc = log C + log ps2 p wf

(1-40)

it can be seen that this is a straight line on a log-log plot with unity slope.
Rawlins and Schellhardt modified the equation 1-11 to

2
q sc = C p s2 p wf

to fit observed field data in 1936.

(1-41)

Procedures for Evaluating Multi-point Tests

1. Plot q vs (ps2 - pwf2) on log-log paper
2. Draw a straight line through the points
3. find the angle between the line and the (ps2 - pwf2) axis
a) the tangent of this angle is n
b) n can also be found by taking the slope of the line.
4. Taking a flow point and solving for the potential using

ps2
q ' = q
2
2
p s pwf

5. The potential can also be found graphically by extrapolating the

line to the point at which pwf equals 0; the q at that point is the
potential of the well

The potential can also be calculated by find C and n by simultaneously

solving the equation

2
q = C p s2 p wf

using two of the flow points.

Also by getting n from the plot and solving for C at a point on the line and
then making pwf equal to 0 in the equation.

Homework #3
Given:
PI = 1410 psia
#
0
1
2
3
4

qo

pwf

bpd

psia

0
72
118
155
208

1410
1170
1050
888
632

Find the potential of the well.

Write the equation for the flow rate determining the value for J and n.
Find the potential using Vogel Method for tests 1 and 4.
Find the potential using linear PI for tests 1 and 4.
Find the potential using pseudo steady state PI for tests 1 and 4.

Skin Factor
To include skin equation 1-37 can be written as
qsc =

2
.703kh ( p s2 p ws
)
Tz ln( r + s .75)
rw

(1-42)

so C will be
C=

.703kh

T z ln( r

rw

+ s .75)

(1-43)

Non-Darcy Flow
Aronofsky and Jenkins used the Forchheeimer flow equation for a more
exact solution
q=

2
)
kh ( p 2 p wf

1424 zT [ln (rd / rw ) + s + Dq]

(1-44)

where p, , z are at average reservoir pressure and D is the Nondarcy

coefficient.
rd is the Aronofsky and Jenkins effective drainage radius, it is time
dependent until rd = .472re. Otherwise
rd
= 1.5 t D
rw

where
tD =

.000264kt
ct rw2

Equation can be rearranged as

2
=
p 2 p wf

1424 zT
kh

ln re + s + .75 q + 1424 zTD q 2

rw

kh

(1-45)

This can be written as

2
p 2 p wf
= aq + bq 2

(1-46)

a and b can be found by plotting p2/q vs q on Cartesian coordinates, for 4

flow rates. The intercept of the line is a and the slope is b. D can then be
calculated from b. D is usually a very small number.
An empirical relationship for D
D=

6 10 5 k s0.1h
2
rw h perf

is gas gravity, ks is the perm around the wellbore.

It can be seen that the p2 vs q on log log paper will curve up for Non-Darcy
flow.

Horizontal Gas Well

For steady state:

)
.703 10 3 k h h ( p 2 p wf
q =

2
2
zT
a + a ( L / 2)
ln

L/2

I h
I ani h

ani
+ Dq
+
ln
(
)
L
r
I
(
1
)
+

w
ani

(1-47)

I h
I ani h

ani
.75 + Dq
+
ln
(
)
+
L
r
(
I
1
)

w
ani

(1-48)

For pseudo-steady state;

)
.703 10 3 k h h ( p 2 p wf
q =

2
2
zT
a + a ( L / 2)
ln

L/2

q is mscfpd

Gas Productivity Index

J gas =

q
2
p p wf
2

mscf/psi2

(1-49)

Effects of Drawdown on WOR

When more than one productive stringers are open in a well, these can be in
one zone; the stringers may water out at differing rates. By using IPR curves
it is possible to determine if the pressure of the water source is higher than
that of the oil zones and if there will be interflow in the well if shut in. By
interflow we mean water flowing into the oil zones from the water zones.
This can be done by plotting the gross, oil and water IPR curves from
production test data. From the plot determine the static pressure for the oil
and water zones as well as the wells average static pressure. The point on
the water IPR curve that corresponds to the wells average static pressure is
the water inflow into the oil zone when the well is shut in. This can also be
found by multiplying the difference in the water and the wells average static
pressures by the water PI.
Example
Gross rate
bpd

Water Cut
%

Water rate
bpd

Oil rate
bpd

pwf
psi

47
90
125
162

85
60
48
45

40
54
60
73

7
36
65
89

1300
920
630
310

figure 6
The shape of the water cut curve is typical of a high-pressure water.

figure 7

The shape of a water cut curve that is typical of a low-pressure water

Homework #4
1) A well completed with perforations from 9897 9932 feet from the
surface in 5 casing, has an initial reservoir pressure of 3572 psig
and a fluid gradient of .35 psi/ft. The well was tested using at 130
bopd and no water with a bottom hole flowing pressure of 500 psig,
using 2 tubing.
Is it possible for this well to produce without a pump? Possible
rate?
Keeping a fluid level 200 above the pump for efficient pump
loading what is the maxium rate that can be produced? Use
both straight line and Vogel.
The fluid properties, 1.15 stb/rb, viscosity of 2.6cp.
Reservoir properties, perm of 5.7 md, re of 1980 ft.
Would further treatment help this well?
2) The following data was collected on the J. J. Fed #1
TD 4501
Perfs 4448-4456 in 4 casing
2 2/8 tubing set at 4400 with no packer
tubing
psig

casing
psig

BHP
psia

884
860
810
750
700

847
827
780
727
674

897.2
871.6
825.8
770.2
718.0

Rate
mscd
0
299
649
825
1026

What is the slope of the line, what is n?

Calculate the CAOF of this well.
`
What would the well produce if the line pressure was 200 psi?

PI and IPR
Summary
The ability of a well to produce fluids.
The uses of the Productivity Index and IPR Curves
Find the wells potential, q, the maximum production rate.
Predict production rates for planning production schedules and sizing
production equipment
Reference point for the comparison of wells in a field.
Find Flow Efficiency of the well to plan or verify completion
techniques.
During production monitoring to help diagnose production problems
if any.
Equipment or reservoir problem
Selecting testing procedures to identify production problems.
Comparing the PI of the field test to a calculated PI to verify reservoir
properties or an indication of skin in the well.

Productivity Index J
Simplest of the methods, one production and pressure point and a straight
line. But the least accurate for calculating the wells potential, greater error
as pwf is lower.
Very good for calculating flow efficiencies, FE.

IPR Curves
A very high accuracy if obtained by using a multipoint production test data.
For one point tests
Vogel Method
Reasonable accuracy for the plot and the potential. Problem is that
good mobility data is needed for a calculated ideal curve and for
future average reservoir plots.

Fetkovich Method
Not as accurate as Vogel. But because of the straight forward method
easier for a quick calculation.

Gas Wells
Multi-point tests are the norm for gas wells. One-point test assumes a
straight line at 45 degrees or an assumed value for the field.
Pressure depletion gas wells have a constant productivity index,
calculated using the square of the pressures.

Flow Efficiency
The Flow Efficiency of the well which is the ratio of the actual PI to
the ideal PI is used to check if the well is a candidate for a work over
to remove damage. Also it can be sued to verify a stimulation job. If
FE < 1 possible damage, FE > 1 a stimulated zone.

Nomenclature

h
J
k
L
p
pwf
ps
pskin
q
qsc
q
re
reh
rw
s
seq
T

thickness ft
Productivity Index bpd/psi
Permeability md
Length of Horizontal section ft
Pressure psi
Bottom hole pressure flowing psi
Bottom hole pressure shut in psi
Delta pressure skin psi
Flow rate bpd
Flow rate gas mscfpd
Well potential bopd, mscfpd
radius effective ft
radius horizontal effective ft
radius wellbore ft
skin
skin effective horizontal
Reservoir Temp Ro
formation volume factor rb/stb
viscosity cp