1- Solution Gas Drive

The principle of solution gas drive or depletion drive is the expansion of

dissolved gas and liquid oil in response to a pressure drop. The change in
fluid volume results in production. Above the bubble point, only liquid oil
expansion occurs. Below the bubble point, both liquid oil expansion and gas
expansion contribute to volume change.
Dissolved gas reservoirs typically recover between 5 and 25% OOIP and 60
to 80% GIIP.

 Rapid and continuous pressure drop, rate of decline falls at bubble point
pressure.
 Rs (solution gas oil ratio) low until p = pb, then increases to maximum
and declines.
 Absent or minimal water influx (watercut).
 Gravity drainage is a special case in steeply dipping reservoirs where gas
drives out more oil.
 Maintaining pressure above bubble point produces oil rather than gas for
p < pb.
 Well production declines rapidly, early pumping required.
2- Gas Cap Drive
The principle of gas cap drive or depletion is the expansion of free gas and
in response to a Pressure drop. The change in fluid volume Results in
production.
Gas cap expansion maintains the pressure in the oil leg.
Gas cap drive reservoirs typically recover 20 to 40% OOIP, sometimes as
high as 60%.
 Pressure drops continuously, but slowly.
 Rs (solution gas oil ratio) increases continuously.
 water influx (watercut) absent or minimal
 Gas cap cannot be allowed to shrink or oil encroachment will occur
resulting in reduced recovery.
 Oil leg wells can eventually produce gas.
 Wells have long flowing life (depending on the size of the gas cap).