The flow of oil and gas from literally hundreds of thousands of wells has slowed to a relative trickle, yet the formations they have tapped still contain large quantities of hydrocarbons. Many of these wells are marginally economic and at risk of being prematurely abandoned. Significant quantities of oil remain behind when marginal wells are prematurely abandoned. A common misperception is that oil left behind remains readily available for production when oil prices rise again. In most instances, this is not the case as it is far too expensive to re-drill a well after all the equipment has been removed. The US DOE for instance is doing a lot to encourage the revitalization of these wells inter alia by supporting new technology such as downhole tools that reduce pressure drop thereby reducing the gas flow needed to lift liquids up the wellbore