1. n. [Production Testing, Enhanced Oil Recovery]

Natural forces in the reservoir that displace hydrocarbons out of the reservoir into the wellbore and up to surface. Reservoir-drive mechanisms include gasdrive (gas cap or solution gasdrive), waterdrive (bottomwater drive or edgewater drive), combination drive, and gravity drainage. Waterdrive is the most efficient drive mechanism, followed by gasdrive and gravity drainage. Reservoir-drive mechanisms are also called natural drives.

See related terms: primary recovery