CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLUTION

DRIVE RESERVOIRS:
SOLUTION GAS DRIVE
Those reservoirs in which at initial conditions there is no free gas, but as the
pressure declines below the bubble point pressure, the free gas starts
forming are classified as the Solution Drive Reservoirs. They are also
termed as Dissolved Gas Drive or Internal Gas Drive.

In such type of reservoirs the energy is provided by the gas that has
liberated out of the oil. As the pressure declines below the bubble point
pressure the bubbles of gas liberates out of the pores (microscopic pores)
which displaces the crude oil out of pore space as shown in figure.
 IMPORTANT
CHARACTERISTICS
The solution gas drive can be identified by the following characteristics:

1. Reservoir Pressure
In solution gas drive it is observed that the pressure declines rapidly. Such
behavior is attributed to the fact that gas cap is not available for replacing
oil or gas withdrawals.

2. Water Production
During the whole life of such reservoirs there will be no water drive along
with oil production. Although little amount of water still produces along with
oil production.

3. Gas-Oil Ratio
Regardless of the structural position all solution gas drive reservoirs are
characterized by an always increasing gas-oil ratio. Before the pressure
deplete below bubo remains constant but as it declines below bubble point
pressure gas-oil ratio increases steadily.

4. Ultimate Oil Recovery

For oil recovery this drive mechanism is least effective method of oil
recovery .Large quantity of liquid drops out in the reservoir, therefore such
reservoirs are best fit for applying the secondary recovery methods.
 STAGES OF PRODUCTION
Usually the pure solution gas drive reservoirs are produced in four stages in a
synchronized order:

1. When it is under-saturated (Single Phase).

2. When it becomes saturated but free gas does not flow.

3. When free gas flow and GOR increases.

4. When free gas flow and GOR decreases.

STAGE 1
Producing Gas-Oil ratio and Initial Gas-Oil ratio are equal.
Gas & oil recoveries are low and equal.
Pressure drops quickly.
Free gas is not present.
Reservoir pressure is greater than bubble point pressure .

STAGE 2
Producing Gas-Oil ratio is slightly less than the Initial Gas-Oil ratio
Gas recovery increases while recovery decreases with time.
Pressure drops moderately.
Free gas is present but saturation is not enough for gas to flow.
Reservoir pressure is below bubble point pressure.
STAGE 3
Producing Gas-Oil ratio increases rapidly
Gas recovery exceeds the oil recovery
Free gas flows
Reservoir pressure is much lower than bubble point pressure as compared to

STAGE 4
Producing Gas-Oil ratio decreases.
Primary recovery loses its energy at the start of this stage.
Reservoir pressure is almost reached close to the abandonment pressure
value.

Fig. Production performance as a function of decline pressure Fig. Average reservoir pressure as a function of
cumulative oil production
 Fig Average reservoir pressure as a
function of time.

Fig Produced and solution gas oil ratios as a function of decline pressure.