Reservoir Engineering

Oral

"Oral" in Oil & Gas: Beyond Spoken Words

In the world of oil and gas, the term "oral" takes on a specific meaning that goes beyond simple spoken communication. While it can encompass verbal agreements and instructions, it primarily refers to a crucial aspect of well completion and production: oral production.

What is Oral Production?

Oral production refers to the extraction of oil or gas directly from the wellbore without the use of artificial lift mechanisms like pumps. This method relies on natural pressure within the reservoir to drive the hydrocarbons to the surface.

Advantages of Oral Production:

  • Cost-effectiveness: Eliminates the need for expensive artificial lift equipment, reducing operating costs.
  • Simplicity: Requires minimal infrastructure and maintenance, making it a straightforward approach.
  • Environmental friendliness: Less energy consumption and potential for environmental impact compared to artificial lift methods.

Disadvantages of Oral Production:

  • Limited lifespan: Natural reservoir pressure eventually declines, requiring the implementation of artificial lift techniques.
  • Production rate decline: Output gradually decreases as pressure drops, impacting overall production.
  • Suitability: Only applicable to wells with sufficient natural pressure and reservoir characteristics.

Beyond Production:

While oral production is a prominent use of the term in oil and gas, "oral" can also refer to other aspects of the industry, including:

  • Oral agreements: Agreements made verbally, though not as legally binding as written contracts.
  • Oral instructions: Verbal instructions given during operations or maintenance tasks.

Understanding the context:

It's crucial to pay attention to the context when encountering the term "oral" in the oil and gas industry. Understanding the specific meaning behind the word helps in navigating the complex world of technical jargon and ensuring clear communication.

Conclusion:

While "oral" might seem like a simple word, its use in the oil and gas industry holds significant weight. Understanding its meaning, particularly in relation to oral production, provides valuable insights into the workings of this vital sector.


Test Your Knowledge

Quiz: "Oral" in Oil & Gas: Beyond Spoken Words

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What does "oral production" refer to in the oil and gas industry? a) The process of extracting oil or gas using artificial lift methods. b) The extraction of oil or gas directly from the wellbore using natural pressure. c) The communication of well information through verbal instructions. d) The process of refining oil into usable products.

Answer

b) The extraction of oil or gas directly from the wellbore using natural pressure.

2. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of oral production? a) Cost-effectiveness b) Simplicity c) High production rates over extended periods d) Environmental friendliness

Answer

c) High production rates over extended periods

3. What is a major disadvantage of oral production? a) It requires extensive infrastructure and maintenance. b) It is not environmentally friendly. c) It relies on the availability of natural pressure. d) It is more expensive than artificial lift methods.

Answer

c) It relies on the availability of natural pressure.

4. What is the term "oral" used for in the oil and gas industry, besides oral production? a) Oral health of oilfield workers b) Verbal agreements and instructions c) The process of drilling oil wells d) The transportation of oil and gas products

Answer

b) Verbal agreements and instructions

5. Why is it crucial to pay attention to the context when encountering the term "oral" in the oil and gas industry? a) To avoid misunderstandings and ensure clear communication b) To identify the specific meaning and avoid confusion c) To navigate the complex world of technical jargon d) All of the above

Answer

d) All of the above

Exercise:

Scenario:

You are a young engineer working on an oil and gas project. During a site visit, you hear a senior engineer discussing "oral production" with a contractor. You are not familiar with this term and want to ensure you understand the concept correctly.

Task:

  1. Ask the senior engineer: What exactly does "oral production" mean in this context?
  2. Research: Find additional information about oral production (e.g., definition, advantages, disadvantages) and summarize your findings in a short paragraph.
  3. Application: Think of a situation where oral production would be a suitable method for oil and gas extraction and one where it wouldn't be suitable. Explain your reasoning.

Exercice Correction

**1. Asking the Senior Engineer:** "Excuse me, I'm not familiar with the term "oral production". Could you explain what it means in this context?" **2. Research and Summary:** Oral production is a method of extracting oil or gas directly from the wellbore using natural reservoir pressure. It is cost-effective, simple to implement, and environmentally friendly as it requires minimal infrastructure and maintenance. However, it is limited by the availability of natural pressure, which eventually declines, leading to reduced production rates. **3. Application:** **Suitable:** A well with a high natural pressure and a shallow reservoir would be suitable for oral production. This eliminates the need for expensive artificial lift systems and allows for a quick and simple production process. **Not Suitable:** A deep well with low natural pressure and a complex reservoir would be unsuitable for oral production. The lack of sufficient pressure would lead to low production rates, and the complexity of the reservoir may require specialized artificial lift methods to extract hydrocarbons efficiently.


Books

  • Petroleum Engineering Handbook by Marcel Prud'homme: A comprehensive handbook covering various aspects of oil and gas production, including artificial lift methods and well completion techniques.
  • Fundamentals of Reservoir Engineering by John R. Fanchi: Provides a solid understanding of reservoir dynamics, pressure depletion, and the factors influencing well production.
  • Oil and Gas Production Technology by Stephen C. Pirson: Addresses different oil and gas production techniques, including natural flow and artificial lift systems.

Articles

  • Search for "natural flow production," "primary production," or "natural depletion" in industry journals like Journal of Petroleum Technology, SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering, Petroleum Science and Technology, and Oil & Gas Science and Technology. These articles often discuss the characteristics of reservoirs suitable for natural flow and the factors affecting production decline.
  • Look for case studies of oil and gas fields utilizing natural flow production in industry publications or academic journals.

Online Resources

  • Search online databases like SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) OnePetro: This platform provides access to a vast collection of technical papers, presentations, and research related to oil and gas production.
  • Consult online resources from reputable oil and gas companies: Many companies have technical sections on their websites that provide information about their operations and specific production methods.
  • Explore online educational platforms like Coursera or edX: Courses on oil and gas production or reservoir engineering can offer relevant insights into natural flow production.

Search Tips

  • Use specific keywords like "natural flow production," "primary production," "reservoir pressure," "declining production," and "well completion."
  • Include the name of a specific oil field or region known to utilize natural flow production.
  • Add keywords like "case study," "advantages," "disadvantages," "technical aspects" to refine your search.
  • Experiment with different search operators like "site:" (to search within a specific website) or "filetype:" (to filter results based on file type).

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