Flowing Well Production

a production method used for petroleum, artesian, and gas condensate wells, in which field energy forces the fluid to the surface. In petroleum and gas condensate wells, the usable field energy depends on the amount of hydrostatic head, as determined by the bottom-hole pressure, and on the energy of the gas released by the petroleum and gas condensate as the fluid rises and the pressure drops.

Before production commences, wells in which flow is expected are equipped with tubing for the efficient use of expanding gas energy. The tubing diameter selected depends on the expected rate of output, pressure, well depth, operating conditions, and diameter of the casing pipes. After insertion of the tubing string into the well, a Christmas tree is installed and the casing assembly and tubing head are connected. Prolonged and continuous well flow during well completion and production is ensured by selection of the proper operating regime, which may be altered by the generation of counterpressure in the Christmas tree.