Production tubing
Production tubing is a tube used in a wellbore through which production fluids are produced (travel).
Background
Production tubing is run into the drilled well after the casing is run and cemented in place. Production tubing protects wellbore casing from wear, tear, corrosion, and deposition of by-products, such as sand / silt, paraffins, and asphaltenes. Along with other components that constitute the production string, it provides a continuous bore from the production zone to the wellhead through which oil and gas can be produced. It is usually between five and ten centimeters in diameter and is held inside the casing through the use of expandable packing devices. Purpose and design of production tubing is to enable quick, efficient, and safe installation, removal and re-installation.
If there is more than one zone of production in the well, up to four lines of production tubing can be run.
References
- petroleum production. Encyclopædia Britannica. 2005. Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service. 17 Nov. 2005.