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:
J =

Qo
Pr Pwf

Where:

J
Pr
Qo

= Wellbore productivity index, STB/day/psig

= Average (static) reservoir pressure, psig
= Wellbore stabilized oil flow rate, STB/day
= Wellbore stabilized bottom-hole flowing pressure, psig

Pwf

The productivity index is generally measured during a production test on the well, where the
well is shut-in until the static reservoir pressure Pr is reached. The well is then allowed to flow at
a constant flow rate of Qo and a stabilized bottom-hole flowing pressure of Pwf . 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, Pwf , versus the oil flow rate, Qo , 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 Pr and the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure
(Qo & Pwf ) to calculate J as follows:
J=

Qo
Pr Pwf

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of Pwf and calculating the
corresponding Qo as follows:
Qo = J (Pr Pwf )

I. The Integral Form

Darcys equation can be expressed mathematically as:

pr k ro
kh
Qo =
dp

r
o
o
p
141.22 ln e 0.75 + s wf

rw

The IPR curve is constructed by assuming various values of Pwf and calculating the
corresponding Qo .
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:
J=

Qo
Pr

Pwf

1
dp
o Bo

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of Pwf and calculating the
corresponding Qo as follows:
Qo = J

Pr

Pwf

1
dp
o Bo

II. Fetkovitch Method

Fetkovitch (1973) started with Darcys equation:

pr k ro
kh
dp
Qo =

141.22 ln re 0.75 + s pwf o Bo

rw

He considered two cases:

1. Saturated Oil Reservoir Pr Pb

When the reservoir pressure Pr and the bottom-hole flowing pressure Pwf are both below the
bubble-point pressure Pb , the oil flow rate can be written as:

1 2

kh
J
(Pr Pwf2 ) =
(
Qo =
Pr2 Pwf2 ) = C (Pr2 Pwf2 )

2 Pb
141.22( B ) ln re 0.75 + s 2 Pb

o o Pb

rw

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

2. Undersaturated Oil Reservoir Pr > Pb

Two cases are considered:

Case 1: Pwf Pb

kh
Qo =
(Pr Pwf ) = J (Pr Pwf )
re

141.22( B )
o o ( P + P ) ln
0.75 + s

r wf
rw

Case 2: Pwf < Pb

1 2
kh
(Pb Pwf2 )
Qo =
(Pr Pb ) +
2 Pb

141.22( B ) ln re 0.75 + s

o o Pb
r

1 2
(Pb Pwf2 )
= J (Pr Pb ) +
2 Pb

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:
3

J=

Qo
Q
= o
Pr Pwf P

Where:
= Productivity index, STB/day/psi
= Oil flow rate, STB/day
= Volumetric average drainage area pressure (static pressure), psi
= Bottom hole flowing pressure, psi

J
Qo
Pr
Pwf

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 Qo and a stabilized bottom-hole flowing pressure of Pwf . 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 (Qo & Pwf ) to calculate J as follows:
J=

Qo
Pr Pwf

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of Pwf and calculating the
corresponding Qo as follows:
Qo = J (Pr Pwf )

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 Pr , the oil bubble-point pressure Pb ,
and the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure (Qo & Pwf ). Vogels methodology can be used to
predict the IPR curve for the following two types of reservoirs:

1. Saturated Oil Reservoirs Pr Pb

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure (Qo & Pwf ) to calculate (Qo )max as follows:

(Qo )max =

Qo

P
1 0.2 wf

Pr

P
0.8 wf

Pr

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of Pwf and calculating the
corresponding Qo as follows:

P
Qo = (Qo )max 1 0.2 wf

Pr

P
0.8 wf

Pr

2. Undersaturated Oil Reservoirs Pr > Pb

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

J =
Qo

Pb
1 0.2 wf
(
)
P
P

+
b
r
1.8
Pb

P
0.8 wf

Pb

Pwf Pb

Pwf < Pb

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

Qob = J (Pr Pb )

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of Pwf and calculating the
corresponding Qo as follows:
J (Pr Pwf )

Qo =

P
JP
Qob + b 1 0.2 wf
1.8

Pb

P
0.8 wf

Pb

Pwf Pb

Pwf < Pb

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

reservoir pressure Pr , the oil bubble-point pressure Pb , and the stabilized wellbore rate and
pressure (Qo & Pwf ) . This method is considered for the following two types of reservoirs:

1. Saturated Oil Reservoirs Pr Pb

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure (Qo & Pwf ) to calculate (Qo )max as follows:

(Qo )max =

Qo

P
1 0.52 wf

Pr

P
0.48 wf

Pr

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of Pwf and calculating the
corresponding Qo as follows:

P
Qo = (Qo )max 1 0.52 wf

Pr

P
0.48 wf

Pr

2. Undersaturated Oil Reservoirs Pr > Pb

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

J =
Qo

Pb
1 0.52 wf
(
)
P
P

+
b
r
1.8
Pb

P
0.48 wf

Pb

Pwf Pb

Pwf < Pb

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

Qob = J (Pr Pb )

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of Pwf and calculating the
corresponding Qo as follows:

 J (Pr Pwf )

Qo =

P
JP
Qob + b 1 0.52 wf
1 .8

Pb

P
0.48 wf

Pb

Pwf Pb

Pwf < Pb

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 Pr Pb

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure (Qo & Pwf ) to calculate (Qo )max as follows:

(Qo )max =

Qo

P
1 0.0933 wf

Pr

P
1.6183 wf

Pr

P
+ 1.5579 wf

Pr

P
0.8464 wf

Pr

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of Pwf and calculating the
corresponding Qo as follows:

P
Qo = (Qo )max 1 0.0933 wf

Pr

P
1.6183 wf

Pr

P
+ 1.5579 wf

Pr

P
0.8464 wf

Pr

2. Undersaturated Oil Reservoirs Pr > Pb

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure (Qo & Pwf ) to calculate the productivity
index J as follows:

Qo
(P P )
wf
r

J =

Pwf

Pb

(
)

1
0
.
0933
P
P
r
b

1
.
8

Pb

Qo

P
1.6183 wf

Pb

P
+ 1.5579 wf

Pb

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

7

P
0.8464 wf

Pb

Pwf Pb

Pwf < Pb

Qob = J (Pr Pb )

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of Pwf and calculating the
corresponding Qo as follows:

J (Pr Pwf )

Q=

Q + JPb 1 0.0933 Pwf

P
ob 1.8
b

P
1.6183 wf

Pb

P
+ 1.5579 wf

Pb

P
0.8464 wf

Pb

Pwf Pb

Pwf < Pb

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 Pr Pb

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure (Qo & Pwf ) to calculate (Qo )max as follows:

(Qo )max =

Qo

P
1 0.295 wf

Pr

P
0.705 wf

Pr

Where:

P
d = 0.28 + 0.72 r (1.24 + 0.001Pb )
Pb

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of Pwf and calculating the
corresponding Qo as follows:

P
Qo = (Qo )max 1 0.295 wf

Pr

P
0.705 wf

Pr

2. Undersaturated Oil Reservoirs Pr > Pb

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure (Qo & Pwf ) to calculate the productivity
index J as follows:
8

 Qo
(P P )
wf
r

J =
Qo

Pb
1 0.295 wf
(
)

+
P
P
b
r
1.8
Pb

P
0.705 wf

Pb

Pwf Pb

Pwf < Pb

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

Qob = J (Pr Pb )

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of Pwf and calculating the
corresponding Qo as follows:
J (Pr Pwf )

Qo =

P
JP
Qob + b 1 0.295 wf
1 .8

Pb

P
0.705 wf

Pb

Pwf Pb

Pwf < Pb

VIII. FPPs Method

The FPP solution method is given by:
y = a0 + a1 x + a2 x 2
Using the least square method, we obtain a system of three equations in three unknowns
a0 , a1 , a2 :
a0 N + a1 x + a2 x 2 = y
N

a0 x + a1 x + a2 x

a0 x + a1 x + a2 x
2

= x y
N

= x 2 y
N

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

x
N 2
x
N

x x a y

x x a = x y

x x a x y
2

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

1 N
(zobs zcal )2

N i =1

Once the set of equations has been solved, the following equations are solved:
Qo , max = a0
a1 = Qo , max a1
a2 = Qo , max a2
x=

Pwf
Pr

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

1. Saturated Oil Reservoirs Pr Pb

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of Pwf and calculating the
corresponding Qo as follows:

P
Qo = Qo , max 1 a1 wf

Pr

a2 wf
Pr

2. Undersaturated Oil Reservoirs Pr > Pb

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure (Qo & Pwf ) to calculate the productivity
index J as follows:

10

 Qo
(P P )
wf
r

J =
Qo

Pwf

Pb

(
)

1
P
P
a

r
b
1

1
.
8

Pb

P
a2 wf

Pb

Pwf Pb

Pwf < Pb

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

Qob = J (Pr Pb )

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of Pwf and calculating the
corresponding Qo as follows:
J (Pr Pwf )

Qo =

P
JP
Qob + b 1 a1 wf
1 .8

Pb

a2 wf
Pb

11

Pwf Pb

Pwf < Pb

Predicting Future IPRs

As the average reservoir pressure Pr 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 (Qo )max, f at the specified future
Pr , f as follows:
Pr , f
P
0.2 + 0.8 r , f

P
Pr , p
r, p

(Qo )max, f = (Qo )max, p

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

2. Fetkovitch
This method, proposed by Fetkovitch (1973), provides a simple approximation of the future
(Qo )max, f at the specified future Pr , f as follows:

(Qo )max, f

Pr , f
= (Qo )max, p
P
r, p

Where the subscripts f and p refer to future and present respectively. The calculated (Qo )max, f
can be used to predict the future IPR at Pr , f .

3. Wiggins Method
Wiggins (1993) proposed the following relationship:
Pr , f
P
0.15 + 0.84 r , f

P
Pr , p
r, p

(Qo )max, f = (Qo )max, p

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:

12

 P
P
Qo
= 1 wf 1 + 0.8 wf
(Qo )max Pr
Pr

(1)

Standing introduced the productivity index J as follows:

(Qo )max

Pwf

1 + 0.8
Pr
Pr
He then defined the present (current) zero drawdown productivity index as:
J=

(Q )
J *p = 1.8 o max
Pr

(2)

(3)

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

index J by:
Pwf
J
1

=
+
1
0
.
8

J *p 1.8
Pr

(4)

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

J *f (Pr ) f
Qo =
1.8

Pwf
1
(Pr ) f

P
1 + 0.8 wf

(Pr )
f

(5)

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

uB
*
* o o f
Jf = Jp
k ro

uo Bo p

(6)

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

(Pr ) f

J *f = J *p
(Pr )
p

(7)

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

Use the stabilized wellbore rate and pressure (Qo & Pwf ) to calculate (Qo )max as follows:

13

(Qo )max =

Qo
Pwf
P
1
1 + 0.8 wf
Pr

Pr

Calculate J *p using:
(Q )
J *p = 1.8 o max
Pr

Calculate J *f using:
k ro

u
B
o o f
J *f = J *p
k ro

uo Bo p
if relative permeability data is not available, J *f can be estimated from:
(Pr ) f

J *f = J *p
(Pr )
p

Construct the IPR curve by assuming various values of Pwf and calculating the
2

corresponding Qo as follows:
J *f (Pr ) f
Qo =
1.8

Pwf
1
(Pr ) f

14

1 + 0.8 wf
(Pr )