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Chapter II.

Engineering Research
Water Influx into a Reservoir and Its Application to the Equation
of Volumetric Balance
By WILLIAM HURST*
(New York Meeting. February 1942)

ABSTRACT volumetric balance, in which such per-


This is a presentation of the diffusivity
tinent information as subsurface sampling
theory for the calculation of the water drive and the measurement of reservoir pressures
on an oil reservoir in which the history of playa predominant part, as this has been
reservoir pressure with time are the essential discussed in detail by others.l.2 However,
parameters for the determination of the rate there is an inherent difficulty that has
and cumulative water encroachment into a limited the general application of this
field. The main body of the paper is essentially equation to a study of oil reservoirs; that
the application of the principles underlined is, the insufficient knowledge of the
here to actual field data. It consists of the work analytics for expressing the water drive
plots of the radial-flow case, and includes a
on a field as a function of reservoir pres-
discussion of an illustrated problem for which
the water-drive calculations are treated in
sure. This to a large degree has been
conjunction with the volumetric-balance equa- overcome and it is the purpose of this
tion. The appendix is a mathematical treatment paper to present this theory in such form as
of the linear, radial, and spherical cases of to be applicable for reservoir calculations.
water influx into a reservoir.
WATER DRIVE
If the amount of oil originally in place
INTRODUCTION
and the gas space are known, it is a rela-
The evaluation of oil reserves and the tively simple matter to determine, by the
prediction of pressure behavior with volumetric equation, the cumulative water
different rates of production are related influx into a reservoir from the adjoining
to the volumetric balance of the fluids water sands. Often, however, the oil
entering and leaving the space occupied reserve as well as water influx must be
by the oil and gas originally present in the determined, and in order to be able to
formation; that is to say, important make this calculation it is essential to
information can be gleaned from a volu- assign a mathematical relationship for the
metric study of the oil, gas, and water varying water term that is compatible
produced from a formation as it affects with conditions known to exist in the
the extent of change in volume of oil zone, formation and gives an accuracy acceptable
the gas cap, and the amount of water for engineering calculations.
influx from the adjoining water sands. Various equations have been employed
It is not the purpose of this paper to empirically by different investigators in
enter into a discussion of the equation of making reservoir studies of water drive.
One form used by Schilthuis 2 expresses
Manuscript received at the office of the Institute
Feb. 9. 1942. Issued in PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY. the rate of water influx into a reservoir at
May 1942.
* Research Engineer. Humble Oil and Refining Co .• any time as proportional to the pressure
now associated with Core Laboratories. Inc .• Dallas.
Texas. References are at the end of the paper.

57
58 WATER INFLUX INTO A RESERVOIR AND VOLUMETRIC BALANCE

difference between the original formation This theory of water drive has been
pressure and the pressure in the reservoir successfully applied by various investiga-
at the given time. Various other empirical tors4.5,6 to the study of water movements,
relations have been used to take into as illustrated for the East Texas field.
account the effect of time on the water In the analysis of the problem the rate of
influx. With reference, however, to the oil production for this field was introduced
application of empirical equations to in a solution of Eq. I to predict the pressure
water-drive calculations, it can be said variations in the reservoir for different
that except in a few specific instances assumed rates. The reason it was possible
their general applications are limited. to interpret the water influx into East
The method described in this paper for Texas as proportional to the oil production
the determination of water drive is based lies in the characteristics of the field; at
on the classical diffusivity equation. This the existing reservoir pressures the oil
equation was applied originally to the is undersaturated with gas, and as there
hydrodynamic problem by the author 3 in is no evidence of a gas drive, but only the
developing the transient conditions for the presence of a water drive, the oil produced
flow through a sand of a single-phase fluid is replaced by a corresponding volume of
whose compressibility is small or whose water in the reservoir from the Woodbine
density varies exponentially with pressure. formation. The solutions for water drive,
The derivation is developed by the applica- as developed for East Texas, cannot be
tion of Darcy's law for the flow of fluids applied to a field that is subject to both
through porous media to the equation of a gas and water drive, as the application
continuity. The final form, however, as of the volumetric balance equation to the
applied to a slightly compressible fluid is fluids in the reservoir shows that the water
given in vector notation, ana expresses influx can be expressed only as a function
the divergence of the flow from an in- of the reservoir pressure if the equation is
finitesimal element of sand, as proportional to be solved explicitly for the oil originally
to the pressure change per unit of time in place.
within the element itself. That is It is the experience of the author that
for the fields studied the radial flow case
[r] for water drive has proved sufficiently
accurate for most engineering purposes,
where V2 is the Laplacian operator on and for the remaining portion of the paper
pressure P in time (), with the diffusivity this solution only will be discussed.
constant equal to a 2 = K/f.Lrpc in :which K Nevertheless, it must be kept in mind that
is the permeability and rp the porosity water drive can be effective not only as an
of the sand, with f.L the viscosity, and c influx of water from adjoining sands at
the compressibility of the water. Thus a the edge of a field but also as a rising table,
solution of Eq. I that can be applied to and in general water drive should not
the formation, which also satisfies the necessarily be limited entirely to the radial-
boundary limits of the oil reservoir and flow problem.
water formation, is essentially a solution
of the water drive. The analyses, given RADIAL FLOW
in the Appendix to this paper (p. 9) are The physical interpretation of the
the applications of Eq. I to the water boundary conditions for this case is that
drive on fields interpreted as linear, radial, the oil field is concentric with the adjacent
and spherical influx of water into oil water formation, which is assumed to
reservoirs. extend for large distances away from the
WILLIAM HURST 59
field. Further, the water sand is considered influx of water for the entire history of the
to be initially saturated with water at the pressure surveys in the field. This range
same pressure as the original reservoir in scope for cx 2jR2 has also been observed
pressure, but for increasing times pressure in the application of this theory to flow
«'(e-enl
-R-'-
10-4 10" IO~ 10"
10• I

...........
......
10 I o

-",

r--
I I

I
10-, I0-'
I 10' 10' 10' 10' 1()6
cr'(e-enl
--R'-
FIG. r.-Gl FUNCTION FOR CALCULATION OF RATE OF WATER INFLUX.

gradients are established from the edge tests on oil wells, in which the well is
of the oil reservoir back into the formation interpreted as an instantaneous point sink,
to approach the original pressure at some analogous to the heat problem. It can be
point removed from the field. These said from these observations, therefore,
gradients, in turn, are subject to the varia- that the mathematics offers a certain
tions of the field pressure, and this effect amount of latitude in fixing the constants
is introduced into the mathematics by associated with water drive. However, what
superimposing a sequence of constant is most critical in these analyses is the
terminal pressure solutions, which essen- history of the reservoir pressure as it
tially reproduces the pressure changes in varies with time.
the field. Thus by means of the calculus, It is derived in the Appendix that for the
and the application of Darcy's law at the radial flow of water into a field, the rate of
periphery of the field, the water influx water influx into the oil reservoir at any
is determined as a function of reservoir time 0 is expressed in barrels per day as
pressure.
dZ 27r(I44)KuH
It has been observed that in the applica- dO = S·62J.1.
tion of this theory to reservoir studies the
physical values in the analytics, such as (edP G' (CX 2(0 - 0')) dO' [2]
Jo dO' R2
the diffusivity constant and the radius
of the field, are not at all critical in evaluat- and the cumulative water influx up to
ing the water influx. In several of the this time, expresseu as barrels, is given
calculations the comparable term to these by the relation
constants, namely cx 2j R2, was varied in 27r(I44)KuHR2
Z = - ---''--'---'-'----,,--
the order of the probable error introduced S·62J.1.cx 2
in establishing this value, without mate- (6 dP G (CX 2(0 - 0')) dO' [3]
rially affecting the calculated proportional Jo dO' R2
60 WATER INFLUX INTO A RESERVOIR AND VOLUMETRIC BALANCE

10·' 10- 3 10· 10' I~O


10

I I

10 ., V I

VI?
10 •10·' 10" 10 '
I0·'
10
«'16 -6n l
--R'-
FIG. 2a.
",'16-6nl
--R'-
, 10' 10' 10' 10'
I

./

10 , V I0'

/
/ I-
0 1

V
I
10 10' 10'
crOle-6nl
10 10 . 10~
0' ,
R'
FIG. 2b.
FIG. 2.-G FUNCTION FOR CALCULATION OF CUMULATIVE WATER INFLUX.

The integrands in these equations are the An alternative form for expressing the
products of the slopes of the reservoir cumulative water-influx equation IS the
pressure versus time curve for the field, relation
multiplied by either G'[a 2(0 - 0')IR2] or
G[a 2(0 - 0')1 R2] which are given in Figs. I, z = ::...27r::...(:,..:I24:!.4)~K::...(J:.:H::.

2a and 2b, as functions of a 2( 0 - 0')1 R2.


These pressure slopes are negative for [J:81 (P
5·62J.L
R - P)G' e 2
(OR-:' 0'») dO'
decreasing reservoir pressures, and positive
for increasing pressures. The definitions
of the symbols and the units employed
+ 2(P R - P)R ~(O ::1) ] [4]

are given in the Nomenclature (p. 64). where reservoir pressure is explicitly
WILLIAM HURST 61

referred to as (PR - P), or as the difference Thus in the determination of the absolute
between original reservoir pressure and water influx into a field, the coefficient
pressure at time ()'. However, to satisfy associated with either of these equations is
the convergence of the integral the final established algebraically, along with the
0:2(e -en)
-R-'-
10 , 10 102 10' 10'
I

/
-
10 • I o·

'0

10
1/ I o·

IV 10 10 • ([2(6 -en)
10
, 10 . I0'
10'

-R-'-
FIG. 3.-G FUNCTION FOR DETERMINATION OF INTEGRATED AVERAGE VALUE OF C.
pressure difference is taken as constant quantity of oil originally in place, by a
for the interval ()I ::::;; ()' ::::;; () where (() - ()I) solution of the volumetric balance equation
::::;; o.ooIR2/a 2. for the fluids in the oil reservoir.
With reference to Eqs. 2, 3 and 4, it Eq. 3 is particularly suited to deter-
can be stated definitely that none of these mination of the cumulative water influx
equations can establish the absolute water into a reservoir, where the reservoir
influx unless it is possible to fix the' numeri- pressure-time curve may be represented
cal coefficients associated with the integrals. as a series of straight lines (Fig. 4). If
From this remark, however, it must not the pressure-time relation is a smooth
be construed that these equations are curve, there is no alternative but to
limited; on the contrary, it is the propor- resort to a graphical integration. Thus
tional variations of the integrals as they if the pressure variation in a reservoir is
fluctuate with time () that are important represented in "broken-line" fashion, with
in the calculations of the volumetric- the pressure at different times as P R , PI, P 2
balance equation, and for this reason at time zero, ()I and ()2, etc., the pressure-
Eqs. 3 and 4 should be regarded as time slopes are the following:
dP (P R - PI)
- d()' = ()r
dP (P r - P 2 )
or - d()' = (()2 - ()r) ;
dP (P 2 - P a)
- d()' = (()a - ()2) ;

dP (P n - I - P)
d()' = (() - ()n-I) ;
62 WATER INFLUX INTO A RESERVOIR AND VOLUMETRIC BALANCE

This means that between the pressure various times and the corresponding
surveys the slope of a line is fixed, therefore cumulative water as determined from a
Eq.3 can be expressed as

However, defining G(n) by the relationship


volumetric balance on the field. The case
G(n) = Jon G(n)dn illustrated is that for the radial flow of
water, and is an application of Eq. 6.
which is plotted as G(a 2(6 - 6')/R2) The physical constants for the deter-
versus a 2(6 - 6')/ R2 in Fig. 3, the cumula- mination of the diffusivity factor for the
tive water equation may be expressed as
Z = 27r(I44)KuHR2 5(P R _ P) [G(a 26/R2) - G(a 2(6 - ( 1)/R2)]
5. 62 Jja 2 1 I a 2 6J/ R2
+ (PI _ P 2) [G(a (6 - ( 1)/R2) - G(a 2(6 - ( 2)/R2)]
2
a 2 (6 2- (1)/ R2
+ (P _ P) [G(a (6 - ( 2)/R2) - G(a 2(6 - ( 3 )/R2)]
2
2 3 a2(6a - ( 2) / R2

+ ... + (P n-I
_ P) [G(a 2 (6 - 6n _ I )/R2]t
a2( 6 - 6n _ l ) / R2 \
[6]

where the terms inside the brackets are the


integrated average values for G over the field, as established from core analysis
time limits referred to in the equation. and the viscosity of the salt water at the
In a similar manner the rate equation reservoir temperature, are given as follows:
can be established in terms of G functions,
which are the integrated averages for the G' K/p. = 200 md., or 200/22,700 = 0.00882
functions over the corresponding time cu. ft./day/sq. ft./lb./sq. ft./ft.
limits. It must be pointed out, however, ¢ = 0.28, and with c = 2.5(10)-8 cu.
that in the series expansion the water-rate ft.jcu. ft./lb.jsq. ft. for water.
equation is most sensitive to the pressure_ Thus
time variation of the final surveys, whereas
in the cumulative equation this applies a2 - K/ c _ (0.00882)
- p.¢ - (0.28)(2·5)(10)-8
only to the earlier pressure surveys.
= 1.260(10)6 sq. ft. per day.
ILLUSTRATIVE CALCULATION, RADIAL FLOW The radius of this field is approximately
In this illustrative caleulation for a R = 7850 ft., so
Gulf Coast field, the purpose is to show the
2 2 1.260(10)6 ()-2
application of the theory to the determina- aiR =6 . 180 ()7=2.0410 per day .
10
tion of the cumulative water influx for
the "broken-line" pressure variation, and Shown in Fig. 4 and listed in Table I
also to show the close agreement between are the data on the reservoir pressure
the calculated relative water influx at against time for the field, corrected to a
WILLIAM HURST

fixed subsurface depth. Also listed in the between the actual and calculated water
table is the time argument 0l2(Jn/ R2 for influx as represented by the ratio Z/Z1766,
each pressure survey. In Table 2 is given which is arbitrarily chosen to represent
a sample calculation of the proportional the proportional variatitn of the water

4400

4200
...............
~
4000

"',
!i 3600
~
'""
3400

'" ~
200 400 600

FIG. 4.-RESERVOIR PRESSURE VS. TIME.


800
Time
1000
Days
1200 1400
.'"
1600 1800

1.0

lL
/
Legend:
.- Volumetric balance
0- - "8roIcen line If presSUte
variation in the reserllOir.

/,/
'0
~O.4
/
i
N
';DO.2 "d'/V
N
V
~
>!::: .....

200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800


Time. Days
FIG. S.-CUMULATIVE WATER INFLUX VS. TIME.

cumulative water influx for 1645 days drive. This is true for the last eight surveys,
of the production life of the field, employing although the first two are considerably off.
Eq. 6 and the corresponding plot for the G However, this should not be construed
function. Finally, in Table 3 are listed the as an inaccuracy in the theory of water
calculated values for all 10 surveys drive for early times, qut rather as a
against actual values for water influx, limitation of the volumetric-balance equa-
which were determined from the volu- tion, which is fairly insensitive to small
metric-balance equation using the geologi- pressure drops from the original reservoir
cal estimate of the oil originally in place. pressure. The numerical coefficient of
It is observed that in Table 2, and also Eq. 6, which is determined' from the
in Fig. 5, there is fairly good agreement volumetric and calculated water influx
64 WATER INFLUX INTO A RESERVOIR AND VOLUMETRIC BALANCE

given in Table 2, is also listed. The con- In all fields where this theory has been
stancy of this coefficient is a further check applied, the calculated water-drive values
on the two sets of data. Thus for the last give results that agree with the propor-
eight surveys the numerical average of tional variation of the comparable term in
TABLE r.-Pressure-time Data the volumetric-balance equation.

P n. Reservoir (Pn - P.+1).


B•• Days a 2B/R2 Pressure, Lb. Lb. per NOMENCLATURE
per Sq. In. Sq. In.
dZ/d8, rate of water influx into the reservoir,
bbJ. per day.
0 0 4,225 25 Z, total water influx at any time, bbl.
18 4 3· 75 4,200 55 K, permeability relative to one centipoise,
36 6 7·47 4,145 95
550 11.22 4,050 150 cu. ft./day /sq. ft./lb./sq. ft./ft.
731 14.9 1 3,900 140 c, compressibility, cu. ft./cu. ft,j1b./sq. ft.
915 18.67 3,760 140 t/>, porosity, fraction.
1,096 22.36 3,620 140
1,280 26.11 3.480 140 a 2 , diffusivity, sq. ft. per day.
1,461 29.80 3,340 190 R, radius of reservoir, ft.
1,645 33.56 3,150 127 H, sand thickness, ft.
1,766 36.03 3,023
P, reservoir pressure, lb. per sq. in.
8, time, days.
this coefficient is 896 with a standard u, fraction of perimeter of field exposed to
water drive.
deviation from the average of only 8 per p., viscosity of water in formation, centi-
cent. poise.

TABLE 2.-Sample Cumulative Water-influx Calculation


TIME, 8 =; 1645 DAYS

[G(a 2(B - B,,)/R2) lG(a 2 (B - B.)/R2) - G(a 2(B - Bn+1)/R2)]


a 2Bn/R2 a2(B - B.)/R2 a 2(Bn+1 - B.)/R2 a 2(B.+1 - Bn)/R2
- G(a 2(B - B.+1)/R2)]
X (Pn - P.+1)
---
0.0 33.56 3·75 65 (17.35) X (25) = 433
3· 75 29.81 3·72 55 (14.80) X (55) = 814
7·47 26.09 3·75 53 (14· 15) X (95) = 1,348
11.22 22·34 3.69 47 (12.71) X (I50) = 1,905
14.9 1 18.65 3.76 40 (10.62) X (140) = 1,490
18.67 14. 89 3.69 33 (8.95) X (140) = 1,252
22.36 I 1.20 3·75 25. 2 (6.72) X (140) = 040
26. II 7·45 3.69 18·4 (4.98) X (140) = 698
29.80 3.76 3.76 8·4 (2.23) X (190) = 424
33.56
Z16·U '" 9.304

TABLE 3.-Comparison of Actual and Calculated Cumulative Water Influx


Volumetric Balance Calculated
2.. (144)K ..HR·
On, Days
5·621'a 2
Z,., Bbl. Z,,/Z1766 Z,. Z,./Z1766

0 0 0 0 0
18 4 1,100 0.001 56 0.0052 20
366 433,000 0.0408 247 0.0229 1,753
550 531,000 0.0501 657 0.0608 808
731 1,120,000 0.106 1,40 3 0.130 798
9 15 2,000,000 0.189 2,449 0.227 817
1,096 3,320,000 0·313 3,737 0.346 888
1,280 4,980,000 0·470 5,295 0.490 941
1,461 6,900,000 0.651 7,142 0.661 966
1,645 9.000,000 0.848 9,30 4 0.861 967
1,766 10,600,000 1.000 10,808 1,000 981
WILLIAM HURST

These limits are: (I) that initially the


APPENDIX
reservoir pressure in the water sand is
It has been shown in this paper that an fixed and uniform for large distances
nterpretation for water drive can be away from the edge of the field proper,
deduced from the movement of slightly and (2) that the influx of water is reflected
compressible fluid flowing through a by the actual variations of the pressure in
porous medium in an unsteady state. the oil reservoir itself.
This is expressed by Eq. I, which is It must be understood, though, that
applicable to the flow of fluid in a sand the mathematical treatment of the problem
body parallel to the earth's surface, and cannot be regarded as absolute; rather,
therefore independent of gravitational it is empirical, because of the fact that it
effects. Where the water drive is not has been necessary to assume the sand to
restricted to a horizontal plane the velocity be of uniform permeability throughout.
potential or driving force, as applied to An explicit analysis of the problem in
Darcy's equation, is eI> = P ± g'YX, or which the sand is irregular would be
reservoir pressure plus or minus the hydro- difficult, if at all soluble, and there would
static head of fluid, depending on the not be sufficient geological data available
direction of flow relative to a given datum to justify its usage. However, the good
plan; with g the acceleration of gravity, agreement between the relative water
'Y the density of the fluid, and x the vertical influx at various times as calculated from
component of the fluid head. Therefore, field data and that determined from the
where the water drive is influenced by theory suggests the applicability of this
gravity the comparable form to Eq. 1 is analysis for the determination of the
the relation extent of water drive in an oil reservoir.
There are two possible ways of treating
these problems to include the pressure
variation in the reservoir: (I) Duhamel's
which is sustained for the small compressi- principle7 and (2) one determined from
bility for water, as an extended treatment by the present
author of an analysis in radial flow by
Lloyd P. Smith.s In either method it is
necessary to have the explicit solution for
It must be mentioned, however, that the constant terminal pressure case. That
eI> or P can be interchanged, because is to say, the analysis must be known for
what, is derived in these analyses is the the condition in which the initial reservoir
variation of water influx as a function pressure in the water sand is fixed and
of eI>, referred to sonie given datum point uniform for large distances from the edge
or plane in the reservoir, and therefore of the field, but for the duration of flow
.:leI> = M for the same subsurface depth. the pressure at the field's edge is held
Further, the limits defined for P in the constant at a value fixed by the analytics.
following analyses apply also to eI> for In the final analysis, Duhamel's prin-
nonhorizontal formations. ciple and the method presented in
A solution of the equation in which this report are identical. However, a
pressure or velocity potential is expressed derivation of Duhamel's principle would
as a function of distance from the field require a somewhat abstract mathe-
and time is essentially a solution of the matical treatment, whereas the second
problem for water influx, provided the method offers an analysis based on the
boundary limits of the problem are met. physics of the problem, which should
66 WATER INFLUX iNTO A RESERVOIR ANn VOLUMETRIC BALANCE

therefore prove to be more conducive to again the pressure is lowered from PI


an understanding of the solution. to P 2, and this pressure in turn remains
RADIAL FLOW
constant from time 81 to (J2. This process
is continued as a sequence of constant
Lloyd P. SmithS developed an analysis
pressure plateaus to include the final
for the determination of the heat influx
pressure at time 8.
into a mine shaft. The mathematics
Thus, if a point in this history of pressure
involved a treatment of contour integrals
variation is isolated, say for the instant
to the solution of a Green's function in a
of zero time, when the pressure suddenly
concentric radial system of infinite extent.
changes from P R to PI, and it is assumed
To facilitate the solution of the problem
he introduced the temperature variatio~
that the latter pressure remains constant
for the entire duration of flow, then if the
in the mine as a "step-fashion" relationship
constant terminal pressure solution of
to determine the amount of heat trans-
the radial equation is known, and expressed
mitted from the formation. The similarity,
by F(r, 8), which gives a pressure value
however, of the mathematics for the flow
of unity for r greater than R, the radius
of heat and the flow of slightly com-
of the oil reservoir, and zero at all times
pressible fluids, such as water, suggested
for r = R, the value for pressure in the
to this author a comparable method to
water sand at a distance r from the center
determine the extent of water drive in an
of the field in time 8 is expressed by
oil field in which the controlling factor
is the reservoir pressure. The derivation M(r, 8) = (P R - P 1)F(r, 8)
.
as gIVen here, treats this independent
'
Actually the influence of pressure drop
variable as any general pressure change
(P R - PI) in the oil reservoir on the water
in the reservoir, as compared with the
sand is not self-sustained, since P does not
somewhat restricted" step-fashion" varia-
remain constant for the entire period of
tion indicated in Smith's work. This is
production, but is followed by the sequence
effected by superimposing a sequence of
of pressure" steps," Eq. 2. To reproduce
constant terminal pressure solutions, which
this effect, then, each sudden change in
in effect reproduces the pressure variations
pressure in the reservoir can be treated
at the field's edge.
To understand this derivation it is as an individual constant terminal pressure
solution, entirely separate from the others,
necessary to develop the following mathe-
but which becomes effective only at the
matics: Thus, if it is assumed that the
pressure, at the periphery of the field instant that the pressure change occurs
next to the water sand, varies in "step- in the reservoir. The net effect however
fashion" with time, then symbolically it of the "step-fashion" pressur; variatio~
can be written that in the oil reservoir on the water sand is the
superimposing of all these individual
P =PR ; 8=0 solutions, one on the other, to give the
P =P 1 ; o :5; 8 :5; 81 equation for the pressure at the distance r
P = P 2; 81 :5; 8 :5; 82 from the center of the field in time 8, or
per, 8) = (P R - P 1)F(r, 8)

with 8" the final time. This means that


+ (PI - P 2)F(r, 8 - 81)

at zero time the pressure drops from the


+ (P 2 - Pa)F(r, 8 - 82)

initial reservoir pressure P R to a lower


+ ... + (P,,-1 - P .. )F(r, 8 - 8,,-1) [3]
pressure PI, which remains constant from where F(r, 8 - 8..) is a constant terminal
zero time to some given time (Jl, where pressure solution referred to a zero time, 8,..
WILLIAM HURST

The rate of water influx into the reservoir case, with each term referred to its initial
is established by Darcy's law for the flow time of corresponding pressure change in
of fluids. This law, as applied to a slightly the reservoir. The comparable values to
compressible fluid, is the basis for the G' were determined by the author in an
derivation of Eq. I in the equation of the earlier study of the constant terminal
continuity of flow. The law, stated briefly, pressure case. 3 The analytics of this work
is that the linear velocity of flow of a is essentially that of Eq. 7, for which PI
fluid along its stream line is directly is held constant for the entire period of
proportional to the pressure drop per unit production, or
length of flow. Therefore, the rate of water
movement into the reservoir, given as
barrels per day, is expressed as
dZ = (I44)KO"A
dO 5.62J1,
(ap)
ar [4] The corresponding term to G' in the
r_R paper cited 3 is computed for a large range
using the engineering units listed in the of time arguments. Its transformation to
Nomenclature of this paper, with K the this analysis is given as follows: In Fig. 4
normal permeability of the water forma- of the paper cited 3 is given a family of
tion, JI, the viscosity of the water, 0" the curves in which the branch curves cor-
fraction of the perimeter of the field respond to closed-in reservoirs of varying
exposed to water drive, and A = 271"RH dimensions, but the envelope of these
the peripheral area of the reservoir, or curves is the rate-time relationship of
the constant terminal pressure case for
dZ = 271"(I44)KO"H
dO 5.62J1,
(rap)
ar r~R
[5] the infinite concentric radial system. The
rate terms qR of Fig. 4 and dZjdO of
with H the thickness of the sand. this analysis are interchangeable, and as
For the purpose of simplifying the this theory applies to a slightly com-
calculus involved in applying Eq. 5, the pressible fluid,
differentiation of F(r, 0) may be defined
by the expression G' (aR220) I
= 271"
[
KH(I -
qRC
f: C(PB PW»
]

ar 0»)
( raF(r, = G' (aR20)
2
r_R
[6]

where G'(a 20jR2) is arbitrarily taken as a


as both sides of the equation are dimen-
function that is a first-order differential
sionless. Thus a 20j R2 is the abscissas
of G(a 20 j R2) with respect to the argument
of Fig. 4, and the reciprocal of G' is equal
a 20jR2. Therefore, by means of Eqs. 3
to 271" times the ordinate of the main stem
and 5,
of these curves.
dZ = 271"(I44)KO"H [CPR _ PI)G'
dO 5.62Jl.
(aR20)
2 The curves of Fig. 4 of the paper are
likewise reproduced in Fig. I of a paper by
+ (PI - P 2 )G'(a (OR-; ( »)
2 1 Moore, Schilthuis and Hurst,S and the
transformation for G' is expressed by the
+ (P Pa)G' (a (OR-; ( ») +
2 -
2 2 equation

+ (P n- I - P ..)G' (a 2(0 ;2 On_I»)] [7]


271"KH(I - f: 144c(PB PW»

This equation is a sequence of fluid-rate qIl


terms of the constant terminal pressure
68 WATER INFLUX INTO A RESERVOIR AND VOLUMETRIC BALANCE

in which the conversion factor 5.62 has relation in the paper (Fig. 5) is given by
been introduced to convert barrels per
day to cubic feet per day. = 27rH q,a 2(I - E C(PII Pw»
The values of G'(a 2(0 - On)/ R2) versus QR
a 2(0 - On)/ R2 are given in Fig. I for
time arguments from a 20/R2 = 0.0001
to 1,000,000. where QR and Z as well as a 2 and R2 are
The cumulative water influx into the interchangeable, with 0' = 1. The expres-
reservoir is established by the integration sion for G, then, is equal to the ordinate of
of Eq. 7 with time. In carrying out this the main stem of the family of curves
step, however, it is necessary to take into divided by 27r. These values are given in
account the fact that each term in this Figs. 2a and 2b of this paper.
equation is dependent on the relative In this analysis, the influx of water into
time that its pressure drop is effective in the reservoir from the adjacent water
the history of the pressure change in the formation has been restricted to the" step-
reservoir. The integration, then, of Eq. 7 fashion" pressure variation in the field.
is expressed as That the pressure does not necessarily

Z = 27r(144)KO'H [CPR - PI) f~ G' (a 20) dO


5. 62J.L Jo R2 I
+
(P _ P) f~ G' (a 2(0 - ( 1» dO
2 J~l R2
+ (P 2 - P a) f~ G'
J~.
(a (0R2-
2
( 2» dO + ., .
+ (P n-I - P n) .i:_l (a
G' 2
( 0 ~2 On-I» dO]

Therefore, by the relationship vary in this manner is evident, since a


host of factors influence the pressure
f8 G' (a 20) dO = R2 G (a 20) change in the reservoir. For this reason,
Jo R2 a2 R2
therefore, it is necessary to develop the
this equation becomes analytics further to include any general

Z = 27r(~:~!~:~R2 [(PR - PI)G (~n + (PI - P 2)G (a 2(OR-; ( 1»

+ (P 2 - Pa)G (a 2(OR-; ( 2» + ... + (Pn-I - Pn)G (a 2(0 ~2 On-I» ] [8]

Thus, it is also observed that the terms


pressure variation as it affects the extent
of this series form a sequence of cumulative of water drive on the field.
water-influx values of the constant terminal In order to accomplish this, it is assumed
pressure case, and each occurs in the
that the pressure in the reservoir varies
order as the pressure change in the reservoir
in "step-fashion," Eq. 2, but that each
is effected in the" step-fashion" variation.
pressure plateau is of extremely short
The integrations indicated in Eq. 8 duration, such that if 50 is the length of
are likewise developed in the eadier paper, a time for each plateau, there will be 0/50
for whiCh the corresponding values to G or n "steps" in the variation. Thus the
are computed for a large time range. rate of water influx into the reservoir, as
Thus for a constant pressure PI in the expressed by Eq. 7, can be rewritten as the
reservoir, Eq. 8 reduces to series expansion
dZ = 27r(144)KO'H ~
G (a 20) _ 5· 62Z dO 5· 62 J.L 7~1
R2 - 27r(I44)HO'R2q,C(PR - PI)
with a 2 = K/J.LtPc and the corresponding
p
( 7-1 _ P )G'
7
2
(a
(0 - 07 - 1»
R2
WILLIAM HURST

Further, if the time of duration for each hood of 01 2(0 - 0')/ R2 = 0, in order to
plateau is reduced to an infinitesimal, satisfy the convergence of the integrals
there will be an infinite number of "steps," expressed by Eqs. 9 and 10.
and this expansion approaches as a limit Thus for extremely small time argu-
the integral ments, 01 2(0 - O')/R2, the problem is
dZ comparable to the case in which the time
2'11"(I44)KuHI
is finite but the radius of the reservoir is

e
dO = s·62J.L
extremely large. Under these conditions,
foB :; G' 2(0R-; 0')) dO' [9] then, the influx of fluid into the reservoir
approximates a solution to an infinite
to which the negative sign is prefixed to solid bounded by a plane, and the analysis
correct for the order of occurrence of is essentially that of linear flow. For the
(P,Y-1 - P'Y) with time. Likewise the linear flow problem, the corresponding
cumulative water influx is expressed as values for the functions are

G' (0I 2(OR-; 0')) = I/V'll"0I2(0 _ O')/R2

Therefore Eqs. 9 and 10 are applicable for


any pressure variation in the reservoir,
and
G e 2(OR-; 0')) = ~ V'II"0I2(0 _ O')/R2

with 01 2 (0 - 0')/ R2 ~ 0.001.


by the substitution for dP / dO' in the
Therefore in Eq. 9, if the slope of dP / dO'
integrands, the actual slopes of the reser- is taken equal to the final slope of the
voir pressure-time relationship for the field.
pressure-time curve and the slope is
It is possible to express these equations
considered as constant from 01 to 0 where
as explicit functions of reservoir pressures, o - 01 ~ 0.00IR2/0I2,
_ 2'11"(I44)KuH [ (B1 dP G' (01 2(0 - 0')) dO' dP (B G' (01 2(0 - 0')) dO'J
S·62J.L Jo dO' R2 dO J81 + R2
_ 2'11"(I44)KuH [ (81 dP G' (01 2(0 - 0')) dO' 2 dP R +
1(0 - 01)J [I I]
S·62J.L Jo dO' R2 dO '11"01 2 '\J
instead of pressure slopes, by the ex- which is convergent.
pediency of integrating by parts. However, However, an alternative method for
before these integrations can be dealt expressing Eq. 9 is the following relation,
dZ = 2'11"(I44)KuH (8 d(PR - P) G' (01 2(0 - 0')) dO'
dO S.62J.L Jo dO' R2
= 2'11"(I44)KuH [ ( 8I d(PR - P) G' (01 2(0 - 0')) dO' _ dP (8 G' (01 2(0 - 0')) do'J
S.62J.L :1.0 dO' R2 dO J81 R2
with, it is necessary to discuss the diver- which can be deduced from Eq. 7·
gence of G'(0I 2(0 - 0')/ R2) in the neighbor- Thus
dZ
dO =
2'11" ( I44)Ku H
S.62J.L
5[
1 (P R - PiG
, (01 2( 0 -
R2
0')) J
B' = BI
0

+ ;: JoBI (PR - P)G" (01 2(0R-; 0')) dO' - ~: J:~ G' (01 2(0R-; 0')) dO' ~

= 2'11"(I44)KuH 5(P R _ PiG' (01 2(0 - 01 ) ) + 01 2 (B1 (PR _ P)G" (01 2(0 - 0')) dO'
S.62J.L 1 R2 R2 Jo R2
_ 2 dP R 1(0 - 01) l [12]
dO '\J '11"01 2 )
70 WATER INFLUX INTO A RESERVOIR AND VOLUMETRIC BALANCE

where (P R - P) = 0 for (J' = o. The infinite distances. The constant terminal


relation G"(a 2«(J - (J')/R2) is not available pressure solution for the linear-flow case
for this paper but if necessary it could be is given in Carslaw,7 and it is expressed as
computed from G' by either empirical
or analytical methods. However, Eq. I I
is explicit in itself for most purposes.
The integration by parts for the cumula-
for P = I at any point in the water
tive water influx, Eq. 10, is expressed as
formation in zero time, with P = 0 at
follows:

since G«(J) = o. However,


x = 0, where x is the distance measured
from the edge of the field.
G (a 2(J) = a 2 (8 G' (a 2«(J - (J'») d(J' As in radial flow, the reservoir pressure
R2 R2JO R2
change is reproduced by the application
of the "step-fashion" pressure variation
and
of Eq. 2. Thus the pressure in the water
formation at any distance x in time (J is
z = 21f(144)KuH developed by superimposing the constant
5. 62 1-1 terminal pressure solutions for times
fo8 (P R - P)G' (a 2«(JR--: (JI») d(J' zero, (Jl, (J2, etc. (See Eq. 15, below.)
The rate of water influx into the reservoir
at x = 0 is expressed by Darcy's law
Furthermore, if the final pressure of the
pressure-time curve is held constant, say [161
from (Jl to (J, for (J - (Jl S; 0.00IR2/a 2,

and this equation expresses reservoir


where A, in sq. ft., is the cross-sectional
pressure explicitly.
area exposed to water drive. Thus the
LINEAR FLOW differentiation of Eq. 14 with respect to x
for the limit x ~ 0, gives
The linear water drive on a field is
represented by the movement of water
in a sand formation of uniform cross (ap) I
ax ~-o = V1fa 2(J
[171

section, bounded at one end by the field


and extending in the other direction for for the over-all pressure drop of unity.

[151
WILLIAM HURST

Therefore, by Eqs. 15 and 17, the rate centric with an oil field, and subtended by a
of water influx is expressed as spherical angle at the center of the field.

and the cumulative water influx by the An examination of the literature, however,
relation has failed to reveal the constant terminal

Z = 144KA [ (P R - PI) fo8 -dO-


5.62Jl. Vll'CX 2 0 vO
+ (PI - P 2) J:8 V(OdO-
8.
---
( 1)
(8 dO (8 dO ]
+ (P 2 - P a) J8, V(O _ ( 2) + ... + (P"-I - P n) J8.-. V(O - On-I)
2(144)KA [( R P) _ r ( ) _/ - - -
= _/ P - I V 0 + PI - P V (0 - ( 2 1)
5.62Jl. VlI'CX 2
+ (P 2 - P a) V(O - ( 2) + ... + (P n- I - P n) V(O - On-I) ] [19J
If the pressure plateaus are assumed to pressure solution fo~ this case, therefore
occur in infinitesimal steps, Eqs. 18 and 19 this analysis will be developed in detail.
approach the limits The comparable form to Eq. I in spheri-
dZ 144KA (8 dP dO' cal flow is the relation
dO = - 5.62Jl. Vll'CX 2Jo dO' V(O - 0') a 2 (<I>r) cx 2 = a(<I>r)
and
[20] ar2 ao
which is similar to the line'.lf-flow equation,
Z = - (2)(I44)KA (0 dP _ / , dO'
5. 62 Jl. Vll'CX2 Jo dO' V (0 - 0) and the solution is expressed by
(r-r'l'
[2I]
<l>r = I f+ '" f(r')e
d'
r - -"'"
4
'"
Therefore, by the integration by parts, Vll'CX 20 - '"
2

dZ 144KA [(PR - P) where fer') = fer), the value of <l>r in zero


dO = 5.62Jl. Vll'CX 2 V(O - ( 1) time at any point r.
+~ (8. (P R - P) dO' Further, if the limits are taken that
<I> = I at zero time for r > R, the radius
2 Jo (0 - 0')%
of the oil field, and <I> = 0 at r = R, the
- 2 dP
dO V(O - ( 1) ] [22] fer) value in the equation is expressed by
where dP / dO is assumed constant for <l>r = fer) = r; r> R
OJ S; 0' S; 0 with (0 - OJ) small. Further, and
<l>r = fer) = r - 2R; r<R
Z = I 44KA [(8,(P R - P)dO'
Thus it is observed that for r < R the
5.62Jl. VlI'CX 2 Jo (0 - 0')%
fer) function is so chosen as to give the
+ 2(PR - P) V(O - ( 1) ] [23] odd function of fer), or the negative image
of this function. Therefore
for the final pressure P constant in the (r-T')'
same interval. <l>r = I [ ('" r' e - 4",'8 dr'
SPHERICAL FLOW 2 VlI'CX 20 JR
+ f~ '" (r' -
(r-r')'
It is possible that the water drive is 2R)e- 4",'8 dr']
from a formation of infinite extent, con-
72 WATER INFLUX INTO A RESERVOIR AND VOLUMETRIC BALANCE

or the form where <I> is referred to a given datum plane


and therefore can be expressed as reservoir
pressure. The limit, however, for Eq. 27,
taking'infinitesimal steps, is the equation
dZ 411"(1 44)KuR
dO = - 5.62P,
I 9 dP ( I + ) dO' [8]
The rate of water influx into the oil Jo dO' V1l"a 2 (O _ O')/R2 I 2
reservoir is expressed by the equation and the cumulative water influx is the
expression
Z = _ 411"(144)KuR"
5·62 p,a 2
where the spherical surface is equal to (9 dP (2 la 2(O - 0')
411"R2 and u is the fraction of the surface Jo dO' '\J 11" R2
exposed to water drive. Therefore the +a 2
(O - 0'») dO'
R2
[29]
differentiation of Eq. 24 gives the relation
REFERENCES
1. S. Coleman, H. D. Wilde, Jr. and T. W. Moore:
Quantitative Effect of Gas-oil Ratios on Decline
of Average Rock Pressure. Trans. A.I.M.E. (1930)
86, 174.
2. R. J. Schilthuis: Active Oil and Reservoir Energy.
Trans. A.I.M.E. (1936),164.
3. W. Hurst: Unsteady Flow of Fluids in Oil Reser-
voirs. Physics (Jan. 1934) 5.
4. M. Muskat: The Flow of Compressible Fluids
through Porous Media and Some Problems in
Heat Conduction. Physics (March 1934) 5.
5. R. J. Schilthuisand W. Hurst: Variations 10 Reser-
since <I> = 0 at r = R. voir Pressure in the East Texas Field. Trans.
A.I.M.E. (1935) II4, 164. . .
Thus by integrating 6. S. E. Buckley: The Pressure Production Relation-
ship in the East Texas Field. Amer. Petro Inst.,
Southwestern Div., Fort Worth, March 1938.
7. H. S. Carslaw: Introduction to the Mathematical
Theory of the Conduction of Heat in Solids,
16-19. New York, 1921. Macmillan.
8. L. P. Smith: Heat Flow in an Infinite Solid
Bounded Internally by a Cylinder. Jnl. Applied
Physics (June 1937) 8,441-448.
Finally, employing the "step-fashion" 9. T. V. Moore, R. J. Schilthuis and W. Hurst: The
Determination of Permeability from Field
variation of Eq. 2, we obtain Eq. 27, Data. Amer. Petro Inst. (1933).

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