Society of PetroleumEngineers

SPE 27907
Evaluation of the Pseudosteady-State
Systems in Various Flow Geometries
M.B. [ssaka and A.K. Ambastha,

Method for Composite

U. of Alberta

SPE Members

Copyright

! 994, Society.1

TM% paper was prepared

Petroleum

Englneers,

for presentation

1..

at the western

Regicral

Meeting

held in Long Beach,

Celiforn(a,

U.S.A.,

2*25

March

1894,

This paper was ,detied

.t.r presentation by a. SPE Prwram
committee
following rwew
of information contained In % .~r.~
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projects undez various resexvoir situations.

ABSTRACT
The pseudosteady state method as applied to radial composite
systems, k been used to estimate swept region volumes for thermal
recovery projects with a good degree of success. However, the
increasing scope and complexity of thermal recovery projects, as
well as, the general heterogeneity of petrnIeum reservoirs, have
necessitated the consideration of different flow geomenks other
than radial. Using analytical solutions this study seeks to evaluate
the applicability of, the pseudosteady state melhod m composite
systems in radial, linear, eUiptical and spherical flow geometies.
To compare the solutions for the different flow geometries, lhe
dimensionless pressure and time values have been normalized to
account for the difftieit deftitions for dmemionless variables in
each system. Results of the study indicate that, for the same
mobility and storativity coiithsti between the inner and outer
regions, the dimensionless pressure derivatives for the four flow
geometries can be collapsed into one curve during !he period when
the various systems approximate pseudosteady state flow. This
observation confirms the pseudosteady state method as being
independent of the regularly-shaped swept region shape.
Results atso show that the pseudosteady state flow period begins at
the same time for atl four flow geometries. However, the time to the
end of pseudosteady state vwies. The linear flow geometry shows
the longest pseudosteady state flow period while the spherical flow
geometry shows the shortest.
The radial and elliptical flow
geometries show Lhe.mme duration of pseidosteady state flow.
lle conditions under which a pseudosteady state flow period of a
reasonable duration will occur for each of the four flow geometries
are presented. Times for the start and end of the pseudosteady state
flow period for each flow geometry,. as functions of mobility and
storativity coittrasm,-tie alsor+scussed.
This study will help to
identi~ the conditions under which the ~seudosteady state method
can b used to estimate the swept volume for !hennal recove~
. . . .. -------References and itlnstrations at end of paper

.. .

.. . .
571

INTRODUCTION
The pseudosteady state method derives from the moblliv tid
storativity contrasts betweti the inner and outer regions of a
composi~ reservoir. The medwd was pmtwsed by Egg.em&@
et
~,1 ~ ,.sfiak
tie Olwe of tie inner region of a radbl, cOmpOsite
Ieservoir. Eggemchwiler
et d. 1 observed that if the mobility and
storativity conmws are large, the inner region coutd behave as a
closed system for n short period of dme after the end of the fxst
semi-log sinight lime. A Cartesian graph of pressure versus time
during this period may indicate a straight line whose sIope, W, can
b-e related m the swept (iier region) volume, V~, by
r&=J@

v~

, ..

.. . .

... _

(1)

To determine the swept volume for themmt recovery projects using

well test amdysis, reservoirs have been idealized es radial composite
systems.. However, @ inq:@ng
scope and complexity of thermal
recovery projects, as well a.%the general heterogeneity of petroleum
reservoirs, have necessitated the consideration of different flow
geometries, otk than ractkl.
The pressure tmnsient behavior of composite resemoirs has received
considerable attention in the literature. Most of the studies have
considered redal composite resemoirs.
fn 1961, Loucks
and
Guerrero 2 presented analytical solutions for radial composite
carter 3 presented
reservoirs usirig Lap] ace transformation.
solutions for he pressure transient behavior of a closed, radial
composite Iesewoir with the well ~oducing at a comtant rate. Bixel
and van Poollen 4 considered the effects of radial discontirnuhes m
compxwite reservoirs on pressure buildup and drawdown behaviors.
They recommended a semi-log type curve matching method to

-.

-.

Evshmtion ofthe Pseudosteady

State Methcd for Composite

Systems in Various Ffow Geomemies

SPE 027907

determine &e di.wsnce to the discontinuity. Eggenschwiler et al.i

presented an amlytic+ solution in bplace space for an infinitely
radial composite reservoir producing at a
large, two-region,

The diffusivity equations, in dimensionless form, governing fluid

flow in a two-region. radial composite reservou .me given by.

constsnt rate, with wellbore storage and skin ArnLM.wha5 prssented

pressure derivative responses for tiim: and three-region, radial
mm~site reservoirs with wellbore storage snd skin, as well as, a
thin &in at the discontinui~. The outer bmmdsry of rhe reservoir
was considered m be either infinite, closed or at a constam pressure.

(2)

(3)

Noting that composite reservoirs are not necesmrily all radiaL Bixel
et af.d -ted
solutions for the buildup and drawdown behavior of
composite resetioirs with linear discontin~ty.
Ambas.fha
snd
Sage ev7 presented analytical solutions for linear, composite
systems including the effects of a thin skin at the d~ondnuity that
may be caused by a psrfially-communicsdng fault sepsradng the two
regions.
O bur and f?rrekin 8 snd .Stanishzv et al,9 presented analytical
solutions for the transient presmre responses of an iti~niteconductivity vertical tlacture in an elliptical, compxite reservoti.
Recemty, StanisIav et al. 10 have. presented presmre derivative
responses for composite sys~ems in elliptical flow geometry,
including the effect-s of wellbore storage_Wd :%. a?.weIl,.W, .a ~
skin at the discondnuitj.
Onyckonwu
and Home 11 have studied the pressure transient
behavior of composite reservoirs in spherical flow geometry, The
oute~ bounday wss assumed to,be !@nite m :ex[ent, No .welfbore
sforage or skin effects were con.iidered.
The preceding ~is.+ssion on cornposite resgvoirs shows that
significant studies have ken conducted on each of the variom flow
geomemies.. However, to the best of our knowledge, no .mempt has
been made to compare the pmsnne tmmsiem behavim of cmnpasite
systems in tie various flow geometries. Using ansfyficd solutions,
this study seeks to compsre
the transient pressure behavior of
composite reservoirs i radiat, etlipticat, linear and spherical flow
geometries, and, in psrdmdar, to establiih fhe conditions imder
which pssudosteady state flow witl occur for each system.

Afl vsriables used in Eqs. (2) and (3), and subsequent equations are
&fmed in the Nomenclature.
Initial

cottditIons:

fn Cfimensionk.ssform, the inidat conditions for the two regions are

~(mo).
Inner

o.

(5)

boundary

condition:

Since flow is lamhw snd the rate is constant at the inner boundary
(well), Darcys law is applicable.
In dimensionless. form, this
condition ix

?EQL
()
b)

(6)

D=l=-l

Also, since wellbore storage snd skin effects

dimensionless wellbore pressure ix
for~.1

Pwfl = PDl
Conditions

In this section, we present the analytical solutions for esck system

in the pmpmsed study. The following s.isumprions hold true for the
mmpsite systems in all four now geomemiex

At rhe discontinuity (RD), it is required thst pressures. as well as,

flow rates in regions 1 and 2 be equal. These conditioti arc

2.
3.
4.
Radial

The fornnilion consists of two discontinuous

regions,
with homogeneous
and isotropic
properties on each side of the discontinuity.
The front is of infinitesimal thickess,
~d is
considered stationary !hroughout the test period.
Lsminar flow of a single phase fluid with slight, but
constant, compressibithy occurs in each region.
Gravity and capilkity effi-sts are negligible,

Composite

System

fn this study, the Ambastha 5 solut@t k-used as the model for the
radiaI composite system, witi some modifications.
.Wellbrxe
storage and skin at the active welf, in addition to the skin at the
discontinuity are neglscfe~ since the effects .of these parameters on
sfl four flow geombtdes should be the ssrne. A constant flow rate at
fhe well is assumed. i%gure 1 shows a schemafic of a two-region,
radial composite reservoir.

the

(7)

THEORY

1.

at

are neglected,

discontinuity:

for rD=RD,

PfJl=nx

and

(g)

(9)

Outer

boundary

condition:

The reservoir is considered m be of infiite

tmmdary condition is
~(lD+CU,

tD)=

f).

extemc. llms, the outer

(lo)

A solution of Eqs. (2) and (3), subject to the initial snd bundsry
conditiom (Eqs. 4 through 10), is csrried out in Laplace space.
Following

the approach of Ambastha

5, and dropping out the

SPE 027907

-M. B. ISSlkt

and

wellbore storage and skin terms. the dimensionless wellbore

pressure in Laplace space is givti h tenis @f Bessel functions as

=clfoti)+czG(YT)

Compbsite

Ambastha

hl

for

l) SXD<aD;

and

(15)

The constants, Cl and CZ are obtained by solving tie system of

equstions resulting from the use of the bounds.ry conditions.
fnversion of Eq. (11 j iita real space is carried out numerically using
the .SIehfest 12 algorithm.
Elliptical

K.

=*
@D

...(n)
fib(z)

A.

@ hat

of .%mi&w et af. 10, witi wellbore storage and skin effects being
neglected. The reservou consists of two distinct elliptical regions,
as shown in Fig. 2. An elliptical swept region is assumed to occur in
the presence of an infinite-conductivity vertical fracture. The
vertically-fractured welf is located at the center of the kmer region,
and fully penetrates tie formation.
In dimensionless form, the diffusivity
coordinates for Regioms 1 and 2 arc

equaiioiis

.:

~ for

aD<XD <M.

(16)

Transforming Eqs. (15) and (16) into Lapatce space, using Ihe iihial
conditions, leads to a pair of ordinary differential equations, which
can be solved easily.
For the linear system. the dimensionless
welfimre pressure in Laplace space is given as:

System

The model used for tie elliptical composite sy?~m is sfil~

~=o~

in elliptical

(17)

The constant CI is found by using the bmmdsry conditions.?

Spherical

Composite

System

ne Onye~nWU and Homl 1 solution for the pressure -viol

Of a
rsss$voir with spherically discontinuous properties is used for the
spherical composite- system in this study.
Figure 4 shows a
schematic of . sphericat composite system. The reservoir model
consists of two concentric spheres, representing the inner and outer
regions of the composite system, with the wellbore at the center.
The outsr region is considered to be infiite in extent

and

The dimensionless diffusivi~ equations for the two regions of !he

spherical composite system are:
The initial snd boundary conditions ire simiiar to those for the radial
composite system,
A solution of Eqs. (i2) and (13) is afso carried out in Laplace space
using a separation of variables techniquel 3, with subsequent
num~ic=l i*versioh,12
The diiemimdess
weltbore pressure bl
Laplsce space is gR@i -mtirms ofhfatieu functions s-x

FtiDe (&,@

~~o c~*(~.

~) [ C2nCYn(&,

+ F2nFekti(6.,

a)

-cO 1

(19)

A solution for the dimensionless wellbore pressure in Laplace space

is given ax
(14)

%Ds(l)

= Alti.

+A2d.
fi

The constam CZR and F2n are.Fourier coefficients that are obmined
by solving the system. of equations resulting frOm tie USe. Of
boundary conditions.g

boun.aary Condltiom.11

Linear

COMPARISON

Composite

System

The linear composite system solution employed in this study is

modelled after the Ambastha and Sageev 7 solution. The effect of
skin at the discondniity is; ~however, neglected.
The linear
composite system is rectangular, and considered to be semi-inFhite,
ss shown in FIX. 3.
The dimensionless diffusivity
Regions 1 and 2 are:

equatioti

for tie pressure behavior in

573

where the constants Al

..
/7

(20)

snd A2 are determined from using the

OF SOLUTIONS

A computer pro8mm hai been written to generate the wetttmre

pressure and pressure derivative r=pmzses in Laplace space for the
four flow geome!xies described previously.
Subsequently, the
Laplace space wlutions have been inverted into real space using tie
Sfekfest12 algorithm. A comparison of the solutions is undertaken
by examining the bshavior of the dimensionless pressure derivative
responses. Both the C=t&.iin and the semi-log pressure derivatives
are considered.

Evaluation of the Pseudosteady Slste Method for Composite Systems in.Vafious Flow Geomehies

To enable a comparison of the solutions, the dimensionless pressure

and tie .aluw have to b. nonnafized .R_account Em the differen~
definitions forsome of the .dimensionfess variables in each system.
fboughno tnecessary,the radial system snlution has been chosen as
there ference for the comparison. fn addition, the tkne values for
each of tie four sohnions have beerno~dizedby
~e area of the
innez region of each composite system. Thus, in each system, the
The
results are not affected by the size of the iwer region. 510.
.
normalizing fsctors for each system are presented in the following.
Radial

The

(21)

= Pwm.

Spherical

system

Comparing the deftitions of dimensionless wellbore pressme for

the radial snd spherical systems, the nornmlized dimensionless
welfbore pressure for the sphericsl system becomes
(29)

Letting a = R, snd then equating the inmex Iegion volumes of tie

radial and spherical systems, we get

(30)

b=:$Q

time coadinate for the radiaf system ix

normafizd

kl

tDN =

(28)

PWDN = 2PWDS.

Since the radial system is the reference, the normalized

dimensionless wellbore pressure is equal to the dimensionless
wellbore pressureof rhemdisl system
%DN

SPE-027907

!Q

System

%t

_ ~

($YCJII? nR2 -

:,

.=:.4 .,.. _..

.... ....

(22)

Substituting for hD in Eq. (29), the nommfized

wellbore pressure for the spherical system becomes:

dimensionless

tiR~

fiDN =:$9 %fh.

E1llpt~cai

(31)

system

Since the dimensionless .yellbore pressure for the radial and

elliptical systems me sqwif, by deftitiom

The normalized time coordinate for the spherical system is:

(32)

pwDN=pwW.

::(23)

The elliptic p.mmieter, ~o, that defines the.size of the inner region
for the elliptical system is related to the rdlus of the radid system
by ,10

R.$&.

~(24)

Thus, the normalized

becomes:

time coordinate

QN=~~.%@.

Linear

of the elliptical

system

system

(26>

The normalizing factor f{ thetie coordinate oj Ihe lini~ system is

determined by equa@ the F.% of .tie,inner region for the r%tiaf ~d
linear systems.

normsked

C27)
time

As d=wsed by Ambastha 5, in the absence of wellbore storage and

skin, the parameters that affect the pressure derivative rqmnse of an
infiitely large, radial composite system are the mobili~ ratio, M
the diffusivity ratio, to; and the dimensionless distance to fie
discontinuity,
RD... .~e norgmlim.tion exercise carried out in the
.
fieceding=section eliminates the dependence on RD. The remainimg

F=M.~.
(0+

fi2=ab.
coixdiiate

OF RESULTS

pammetczs are M snd te. Since, by deftition, M is includ.xt in (e, a

stomtivity ratio, F, is defined that expresses onfy the conu.asc in
porosity-compressibility between the tiff
and outer regions. The
storativky ratio is given by

. . ...(25)

Con.siderimg the definitions of dirnetiionfess. weffbore pressure for

the radid and linear systems, the normalized dimensionless wellbore
pressure for the linem system becormm

The

DISCUSS1ON

then Lxwmex

574

(33)

Ambastha 5 presented a sensitivity study for the effect of M and F on

the dbneniionless semi-log pressure derivative respomi for radial,
composite systems. To compare the pressure derivative resFcmses
for the four flow geometries in W stidy, ibe vahes of M and F have
been fixed.
Figure 5 shows a log-log graph of normalized
dimensionless semi-log pressure derivative versus norti~zed time
for the four systems. The puameters M snd F are 100 and 1000,
respectively. The graph shows three clearly defied flow regimes for
each system. These flow regim.e$ describe the flow behavior, due m
the inner region, the discontinuity, and the outer region of the
Wrious composite systems. The transition between the inner and
outer region flow behavior is chmacterized. .by unit slope lines of
vqtig
Imgti for @ fow flow geometries. A unit slope line, aftez
the inner region flow behavior, on a semi-log pressore derivative
graph indicates pseudosteady state behavior. Figure 5 shows that,
for the same mobility and storativity rstim, the dimensionless semi-

SPE 027907

M. B. Issti . ... and

log pressure derivatives for the four flow geometries are identical
during ps.udosteady state flow for iach system. This observation
conf%ms the pseudosteady state method as being independent of tie
shap+ of the regularly-shaped swept (inner) regions.
Figute 5 atso shows that piadosteady state flow starts at the same
time for all flow systems. H~wever, the time to the end of the
psetidosteady state varies for different geodetical
shapes. The
tinear flow system shows the longest pseudosteady state perio~
w.biIe the sphticd flow syst~ shows the shortest. The radisi and
elliptical flow systems show the ssme duration of psiudosteady state
flow. Except for the inner region flow behavior, othm pressure
derivative characteristics of the rachl and elliptical systems seem
identical.
The responses from the four flow geometries are also compared in
Fig. 6, which shows a graph of normalized Cartesian pressure
derivative versus itiatized time forthe same parameters as in Fig.
5. Once again; three clearly defined flow r~gimes are shown fm each
flow geometry. In Fig. 6, the uansitionregion between the inner
and outer flow regimes is chsmctcrized by horizontal limes (zeroslope) of varying lerigths. A constant Cartesian pressure derivative,
or a horizontal line on a log-log graph of Cartesian pressure
derivative versus time, is indicative of pseudosteady state flow.
When the responses are normalized by the area of the inner region,
as in rhis study, !hen the constant Cariiiisn pressure derivative
during pseudosteady state flow should be %. Figure 6 shows that the
linear flow system exhibits the longest pseudokteady state flow
period, while the spherical flow system gives the shortest. The
radial and elliptical flow systems show the same duration of
pseudosteady state flow period.
A detailed comps.risti of the responses from the radd and elliptical
flow systems is shown h .Fig.7. The figure shows a log-log graph
of normalized dimensionless semi-log pressure derivative versus
normalized time for the two systems, with mobility and stormivity
ratios as cross pmrneters. Mobility ratio is varid from 1 to 1W,
while the storativitj ratio ranges from 1 to 1000. The effecrs of
mobility and storativity ratios on the semi-log pressure derivative
responses for the radial and elliptical composite systems have been
discussed separately in Refs. 5 and 10, respectively. Here, we seek
to compare the respmses for the two systems. Figure 7 coiu%ms the
observation made in Figs. 5 and 6 thatthe responses for the radial
and elliptical systems sre identical, except for the inner region
effects. Thus, for sfl practical purp.wes, thermal welf test data for
fractured wells can be analyzed using a radial composite model
solution witftii tie context of automated (or automatic) type-curve
matching, as long as esrly-dme linear flow data. if observed. due to
the presence of the fracme sre excluded from the analysis.

TfME CRITERIA FOR PSEUDO.STEADY STATE FLOW

TO be able to use the pseudosteady state method to determine the
swept volume for thqmsl recoveg projtits, there should be a means
of clmasing the correct pseudosteady state Caztesian line. For a will
located in the center of a closed drainage region of any regula shape
pwudosteady state behavior maybe ob~.gy~ when tDA >0.1. where
tDA is based on the drainage mea. 4 For a composite systeiI, then,
pseudosteady state behavior should also be observed for tDA >0.1
(tDA based on the area of the inner region), if the mobility and
. .. . .
storativity ratios tie large enough for the inner region to
approximate a clo:ed system.
Figures 5 snd 6 show that
pseudosteady stste behavior ii ihdeedobserved for. tDN >0.1 for all
four flow geometi:ii; : Recall that the normalized dimensionless
time, tD N, is based on the area of .Jtte inner region for each

A.. .K.. A.mbastha

mmposite system geometry. Simcc the duration of the pseudosteady

state period vaies for the different flow ge=ameuies,correlations are
sought for the time to the end of pseudosteady state flow.
Ambastha5 hss presented correlations for the time to the end of
pseudosteady state flow, based on mobility and storativi~ ratios, for
rsdisl com~site system.. To establish the duration of pseudosteady
state flow, Ref. 5 uses the criteria that the Csrtesian pressure
derivsdve be within 2% or 5% of 2x. For tie 2% criterion, Ref. 5
notes that pseudosteady state flow is likely to appear for csses with
mobilhy-storativity product, MF 2 Id snd M 210, if pseudosteady
is
state flow is required to last up to tDA = 0.2. If the 5% criterion
used, then pseudostesdy stste behsvior is likely for ~es with MF 2
103 ~d M > IQ for pse;dosteady state kastingdtl tDA = 0.2.

Noting from the previous discussion that the pseudosteady state flow
behavior of the elliptical system is identical to the radial system, for
the elliptical system, pseudosteady state flow lasting up to tDN =
0.2 occurs fti the same condhions as the radiaf system.
por the linear system, normalized dimensiordess time, tDN, for the
end of pseudostesdy stste @od
was calculated based on deviations
of 2% and 5% from 2K. Dam for selected cases of mobility snd
storativity ratios are presented in Table 1. Correlations for the time
to the end of pseudosteady state flow based on data from Table 1 me
shown in Fig. 8.
For the criterion of 2% deviation froni 2x, a
pseudoskady state period lasting till tDN = 02 is likely for cases of
MF 2103 and M 21O.
If the 5% criterion is reed, then a
pseatdostsady state period lssdng up to tDN = 0.2 is likely for cases
of MF21@md

M210.

For the spherical comprzsite system, Table 2 presents selected data

used 10 develop the correlations for the tie end to pseudosteady state
behavior. The correlations are shown in Fig. 9, for stmativily ratios
of 100 and 1000. Pseudosteady stste behavior was not observed for
the storativily ratio Of-10. Figure 9 shows that for tie criterion of
2% deviation front the Cartesian pressure derivative of 2x, a
pseudosteady state pmiod IsSting up to tDN = 0.2 is Iiiely for cases
of MF 2 l@, M 2100 and F 2100. If the 570 deviation titerion is
used, then the required duration of pseudostesdy state is likely for
csse.sof MF21@,

M2100and

F2100.

The conditions for the time to the end of pseudosteady state flow for
the vsrious flow geometries are compared in Table 3, for
pseudosteady state flow lasting till tDN = 0.2. This duration of
pseudosteady state behavior is considered reasonably long for a
proper snslysis of the pressure data. For typical reservoir and fluid
parameters of a steam hjection process (k=200 md, P=O.01 CP,
ct=o.L34 psi-1, 0 =0.2 discondhuity radius =102 ft), tDN = 0.2
converts to a pseudosteady state period of aLxw 5 hours. Table 3.
shows that the conditions for the occurrence of pseudostesdy state
differ for the various flow geomekies. The spherical flow geomeuy
requires the highest mobility and stmativity contrasts, while the
linear flow system requires the least.
CONCLUSIONS
1.

575

Norr&lizing factors .tiat msble comptison of solutions for

compite
systems in radisl, elliptical, linear and spherical
flow geomeuies have been presented.

6
2.

3.

4.

5.

Evsfuation of the Pssudosteady State Method for Composite Systems in Various Flow Geometries
Time iiteria for the start and end of pseudosteady sWe flow
pericd for each flow geometry, as fimctions of mobility and
.
storatw,ty ratios. have been developed m ensble the correct
choice of pseudosteady state Csrtesisn straight line.

dimmsiOnleW

Pi
Pv/e

=
=

region = kk2h(pi - @/qy2~2

initial reservoir pressme, Pa
well!mre pressure for dliitic-dl flow geonwmy,

?he conditions under which a psendosteady state period of a

reasonable duration occurs for each of the flow geometries
have been established. These criteria will be of helu in
determining when the pseudosteady state method wifi be
appropriate for the estimation of swept volumes for thermal
recovery projects under various msavoir situations.

Pwfk
PWD1

ftOW)=
2xk1h(pi - pw.)/~@l

dimensimdess weflbore pressure (linear flow)=

Pun

klbh(~l Fwl)/Wl~ll
dimensionless nonnsfized welftore uresmre
&op for any flow gwmeixy (see E&. 21.23,
26and31)
d@mi0ide5s
wellbore pr.es.sure(mdiaf flow)=

PWD6

2xklh@ - ~)/wI~I
dimensionless welfbore pressure (spherical

PWDN

.Coinpudng facilities for this whrk were provided by the Depamneru

of, Mining, Met@rgic~
and. Petrpleurn Engineering at the
University of .A1berta. Resesrch Assistantship for the first author
was provided tbro:~ a.r-$h
~ntmct born the AlbeIta Ofl .%ands
T.%bnology snd Research Au~orily (~OS~).

flOW)=4Zkl,w(pi-pwJ/tW@l

FWD

NOMENCLATURE
distance to discontinuity fm linear and
spherical flow geomeuies, m
dimensionless distance to discondnui~ (radial
and sphericat). a/rw
srear of swept (iier) region, rnz
widh of tines msewoiq m
dimensionless width of linear reservoir= b/1
modified Mathieu function of fmt kind of
integer order

.
.
.

- pl)/~1 PI
drop in outer

pressure

yeU@e pressure for radial flow gwmehy, Pa

wellbore pressure for spherical flow geometry,
Pa
dimensionless welfbore pressure (elliptical

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

totaf compressibility, Pa-1

,= real, even, pericdc Mdhieu function of
integer order
commit of the system of equadons for linear f
low
Fourier caeficients of the system of
equsdom for eflipfical flow
StOrativiV iatio = (@~ I/(.$cJ2
,- modified Mathieu function of second kind of
integer order
Fourier
coefficients of Ihe system of equatiom
for elliptical flow
reservoir fhickness, m
modified Bessel function of frit tid of ord~
zero
modified Bessel function of second kind
of order zero

dimensionkss pressure drop in innei

Pa
wellborepressure for tinear flow g-eomemy, Pa

Ad
PwT
L%

The pressure derivative responses for composite systems in

mdial snd elliptical flow geometries me identicaf, except for
the early-time inner mgxoti behavior.

SPE 027!?07

region = 2tilh@i

For the sane mobility and stomtivity ratios, the linear flow
geomeky results in tie longest pseudosteady stste period, the
spherical flow system yid~i the shortest pseudosteady state
pdod.
The fidisl and elliptical flow geometries show the
same duration of pseudosteady state.

dimensionless wellbore pressure drop in

LaPlace sp.,
injtitiori or production rates, Sm3/s
rsdius or rsdird distsnce for ridial snd spherical
flow geometries, m
~dimensionless radius m radisf distance (rtiiat
and spherical) = rhw
distance r. discondnuiij for mdiat flow
ge.mnmy, m
dimensioidess distance tb discondnuiw fOr
radisl flow georne~.
R/rw
time.s
~easionless
time based on area = k~t/
(@%)IA
dimemiodess

time for elliptical flow= k~t /

L2
dimikonless

time for linear flow.. k, t J

(@CC),

..
DN

m=

.@Pcd]r~2
dimen.hbs

Ds=

v,

Greek

Penneabilily, m2
time vsriable in Laplsce space
fracture hti-length, m
mobility ratio = ~~)1/(Wy)2
ps.sure, Pa

distance in tinear flow geometry, m

dnensionks
d=tsnce in linem fhw
genmmy, x/1

Symbols
P=
?-

576

time foi spherical flow . k~t /

(Wt)trw2
=: Wepl volume, m3

x
xD

dimensionless nortmdized time for sny flaw

geometry (see F@. 22.25, 2S and 32)
dmensiordess time for rsdial flow = k~t /

formation volume factor, m31Sm3

space coordinate inelliptical geanetry

P=

viscosity, Pa-s

k=

space cmxdinatc in dliptical gemnefzy

M. B.

SPE 027907
<w
50

. cawrdinmeof tier bounday

= , ~dinat.
of Kicon.tinviyor
=

diff%sivitj ratio= (k/$@I

porosity, fmction
~

Issaka

and
11.

Onyekonwu, M. O. and Home, R. N.: Pressure Respnse of a

Reservoir With Spherically Dk.mndnuous Properties, J. Pet.
Teck. (Nov. 1983) 2127-34.

12.

Stehfest, H.: Numerical Inversion of Laplace Trtisfonn:

Algorithm 368-(d5); Conwnunication of ACM (Jan. 1970) 4749.

.fwt. !OCSti.~T

/ (k/@pcJ2

Subscripts
D
e
f
i
1
r
s
t
w
o
;
m

.
.
=
=

=
.
.
=
=..

dimensionless
elliptical flow gmmeDy
flowing or fraimre
initial
limpr flow geomeby
radial flow geomeay
spherical flow geome~
total
wateror wellbore
int.irfaceor flc-ad front
region 1 (inner)
region 2 (outer)

=..

pridic

1.3. McLachlan. N. W.: Theory and Application

of Mathieu
Functions, Oxford University Press, London (1947).
14.

E8rlou8her, R. C.. Jr.: Advances

in WeU Test Analysis,
Mono~aph Volume 5 of the Henry L Doherty Series, Society
of Pemoleum Enginwm of AIME, New York (1977).

T.IA.

1hm ,.
tk

REFERENCES
1.

Eggenschwiler,
M., Satman, A., and Ramey,
H. J.
Jr.:mIIIteqXemtimof JnJ~tion Well_R~j_we Transi~t Data .jn
Thermal Oil RecovefY, paper SPE 8908 presefifed at the
California Regional Meeting of SPE, f-m Angeles, CA (April
9-11, 1980).

2..

bucks,
T. L. and Guerreio, E. T.: Pressure Drop in a
Composite Reservoir. .SOC.PeJ. Eng. J. (Sept- 1961) 170-76.

3.

R. D.: P&sure Behavior of a Limited Cuculer

Composite R-ok.
SOC.Pet. E.g. J. (Dec. 1966) 328-34.

4.

Bixel, H. C. and van Poollen. H. K.: pressure Drawdown and

BuiJdup in the Presence of RadM Dk-andnuities. SOC. Pet.
Eng. J. (Sept. 1967) 301-09.

10

lm

Carter,

Ian

5.

AmbasOia, A. K.:Pressure Transi.+u Analysis for Composite

Reservoirs. Ph.D. Thesis, Stanford Universiw, Stanford, CA
(Oct. 1988) 193 PP.

6..

Bixel, H. C., L#rkin. B. K, and van PwUen, H. K.: Effect of

LineaI D~continuities on pressure Buildup and Drawdown
Behavior, J. Pet. Tech. (Aug. 1963) 885-95.

7.

Ambastha. A. K. and Sageev, A.: Linear Wata Jntlux of an

Infinite Aquifer Through a Patinlly C&iummicatin8 Fault,
Prcce?dings of the 12th Geo@nml
Res. Engg. Workshop,
Sanford, CA (Jan. 20-22, 198.7).

A. K. Ambastha

k,Mr

(he end .{
rtgkl

Dssude+lad

or.

Ii..,

W<. -*
tid,i2%ti2x
0159
0:169
0.191
0207
0.223
0.286
0.6?4
~:
0222
0i19
0.636
0.853
1.164
21s0
5.2.X
J..:
* ,64
Zk.3
5.348
7.380
1au7
2Q791
yil
103.44S

.-ac

<.(?

MXY.W

*.

-.

Wlfmcx,nhr.w
wiMn5%d2z
0.195
:%
0s94
0.795
1,478
3-533
4.859
6,918
1:169
3.533
4.859
6.918
13..%3
;%J
,,.
13.aa
342.%
47S9
6s,031
135,8S2
341,425
474cm7.
680310

8.

Obuf, S. T. ad Ertekin, T.:A Composite System Solution in

Elliptical Flow Genmitfy, SPEF~ (SepL 1987) 227-238.

0.103
0.118
0,12s
a138
a191
0.?63
0S9
o.7rM

9.

Sianidav, J. F.. b.SW~llL C. V. and Kokal. S. L.: AlldYdCd

Solution for Verticaf Fractures in . Composite System, J.
Cdn. Pet. Tech. (Sept.-Dolt: 1987) 51-56J . .

0.112
0.143
0.164
0,208
03&

0.151
0274
0.3s8
0.48,
pg

10.

Stanislav, J. F., Easwaran, C. V. and Kokal, S. L.: Elliptical

FIOW in Conmesite Reservoirs. J. Can. Pet. Tech. (Dec.
1992) 47-50.

1.1!?0
1.s41

3.040
4.316

577

0.1?.3
0,156
a.i.
an3
I .m
1.778
7...U5

to

Evalum.ion of the Pscudostcady State Mctimd for Composite Systems in Various Flow Geometries

SPE 027907

r.*.
.
-.,

_-&i

h@ Zl@.

M>lCO.

F>103

IAT>l.?,

M>1D3,

F>1M
%.

1 - Schematic of a radialcompsite system

... ....

,,

..

. .

,.

=.-?

~~.

,
+*

Fig. 2-

Schematic of an

4?5!r5
_.-,L

7&---

Fig. 3- Schematic of a linear composite ayatem

elliptical mmposite reservoir

578

---

-=

,.

SPE 027907

B.

kS&

and

A.

Ambastha

r.+.
104

N.

... .

10

10

10u
10

10

10

10

10

10

10

Fig.5- Dmmiml&

xini-logpressurederivativeresprss for
radial,dlipical, linear,andsphericalwmpxitc symmm.

Fig. 4- Schmmdc of a sphericalcnmpotiferesemoir

1(?
WI
F=

10

-!

:W

I&

101

M=1OO

~ol

10
loo

10

M.1O

M-1

..

@
10
10

10

10

10Z

10

10

104

10

Diimsionkm

*01

loo

10

102

h
% ~- comparisonof dimensionlesssefi-log

@cssure,dcrivmivc
FqaM.SSfwiial, .4riticaf.lir.carandsphcncalcanpasm systems,

6.

~
,.2

-..
Car!daa

re.mons=

fw

radial

and dlbfical

IF

Id

pressure

rnmuosite

Id

daiwti.m

mxervoim

..
,---.
-.,
,..U ~

mm

. .

10

slope rnlhi.

2% of 2X

5%ofk
----- SI.FC
within

100

. . ..mip!kd

102

f@

103

E
Iy;w

10

1-m-

10

-5

,,.

...

-..
-.,

~,,

.d-

3-

03)

------

-------

--------.-

0.1

ml

0.1
~~~~~~

10

lCQ

lfml

lco

Mobiliw Ratio

Fig. 8 - Cmrela@s
Compwe

for me end of pseudosteady

Km

Mobifity Ratio

fis, 9- CnrrdX@,s for the ~d of pscudosteadystatefor a spherical

state for a linear

mpme

reservoir,

579

resmmir.