pilot production

pilot production [′pī·lət prə‚dək·shən]

(petroleum engineering)

Limited or test production of oil or gas from a field to determine reservoir and product characteristics before commencing full-scale recovery operations.

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Pilot production

The production of a product, process, or piece of equipment on a simulated factory basis. In mass-production industries where complicated products, processes, or equipment are being developed, a pilot plan often leads to the presentation of a better product to the customer, lower development and manufacturing costs, more efficient factory operations, and earlier introduction of the product. Following the engineering development of a product, process, or complicated piece of equipment and its one-of-a-kind fabrication in the model shop, it becomes desirable and necessary to “prove out” the development on a simulated factory basis. See Product design, Production engineering, Quality control