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Exponential Production Decline

Falling production rate of a well over time at a constant decline rate.

Formula

q = q_0 e^{-D t}

Variables

qRate at time t

q_0Initial rate

DDecline rate

tTime

Example

q_0=1000 bpd, D=0.2/yr, t=3: q ≈ 549 bpd

Did You Know?

Arps' decline curves, from 1945, still forecast the lifetime output of most oil wells.

petroleum decline production

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