Gas Cap Drive

In a gas cap drive reservoir, the primary source of reservoir energy is an initial gas cap,
which expands as the reservoir pressure drops

Additional energy is provided by the expansion of solution gas released from the oil

Less significant drive contributions are provided by the expansion of the rock and its
associated water.

Gas cap expansion causes reservoir pressure to fall more slowly in a gas cap drive
reservoir than in one producing in a solution gas drive.

The rate of pressure decline is closely tied to the relative size of the gas cap, with larger
gas caps resulting in a more gradual pressure decline as oil is produced.

Early in the life of a gas cap drive reservoir, the GOR rises slowly because the higher
reservoir pressure keeps more gas in solution in the oil.

Later, the GOR increase dramatically as the expanding gas cap reaches the highest wells
on structure.
 The GOR continues to climb as the gas-oil contact moves farther down structure and gas
cap gas production increases.

Oil production rates fall less quickly than in a solution gas drive reservoir due to the
slower decline in reservoir pressure.

Oil recovery from gas cap drive reservoirs typically ranges from 20 to 40% of the
original oil in place.

Gas cap drive recovery increases with the size of the initial gas cap if gas cap gas
production can be minimized.

This is done most easily in steeply dipping reservoirs or those with thick oil columns
which allow the wells to be perforated as far as possible below the gas-oil contact.

Recovery can also be improved by shutting-in wells when they begin to produce large
amounts of gas cap gas.

In addition, the produced gas may be returned to the gas cap using gas injection wells
located high on structure.