Analysis of the Backpressure-Production Relationship of Oil Wells Based on Energy Balance

Abstract Wellhead backpressure is related to the wellhead fluid production, oil pumping equipment energy consumption, and surface gathering and transportation system investment. It is commonly believed that the increase of backpressure can lead to the increase of pump leakage and the decrease of oil well production; nevertheless, the appropriate increase of backpressure is conducive to the reduction of the surface investment costs and the energy consumption. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the backpressure. In this work, the wellhead backpressure was taken as the starting point, and the surface gathering and transportation system was associated with the mechanical production system. Based on the energy conservation equation, a calculation model of the surface backpressure reflecting the amount of energy loss in the pipe flow process, and a mathematical model of the backpressure and progressing cavity pump production conditions were developed. The research results can provide guidance for the optimization of oil wells.