Introduction to IPR and VLP

production-technology.org/introduction-ipr-vlp/

By admin 11 May 2017

The productivity of the well depends on an efficient use of the compressional energy
available in the reservoir allowing the reservoir fluids to flow toward the production
separator. As an introduction to IPR and VLP, this article will introduce two key
relationships (IPR and VLP) used in the design of the production system.

Introduction to IPR and VLP:

Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) is defined as the well flowing bottom-hole
pressure (Pwf) as a function of production rate. It describes the flow in the
reservoir. The Pwf is defined in the pressure range between the average reservoir
pressure and atmospheric pressure. A typical inflow performance relationship is
presented in the following graph:

The intersection of the PI plot with the x-axis is the flow rate corresponding to a Pwf
equal to zero. This point in the IPR plot is known as the Absolute Open Flow (AOF)
potential of the well.

The following video shows more details about reservoir inflow performance:

Vertical Lift Performance Relationship (VLP), named also Outflow, describes

the bottom-hole pressure as a function of flow rate. The VLP depends on many
factors including fluid PVT properties, well depth, tubing size, surface pressure,
water cut and GOR. It describes the flow from the bottom-hole of the well to the
wellhead.

1/2
Both the Inflow Performance Relationship and the Vertical Lift Performance Relationship
relate the wellbore flowing pressure to the surface production rate. While the IPR
represents what the reservoir can deliver to the bottom hole, the VLP represents what
the well can deliver to the surface.

The intersection of the IPR

with the VLP, called
the operating point, yields the
well deliverability, an
expression of what a well will
actually produce for a given
operating condition (Pr, PI,
WC, GOR, THP, Tubing
size…).

You May Also Like…

Well Inflow Performance

Vogel’s inflow performance relationship
The Composite Inflow Performance Relationship
Pressure Gradient
Pressure drawdown & Skin Factor
Multiphase flow regimes
Multiphase Flow Properties & Pressure Gradient Calculation
Multiphase flow correlations

2/2