4c Radial Flow Semi Steady State

AES1310: Rock Fluid Interactions - Part 1
1
Radial Flow & Semi-steady state flows
Susanne Rudolph
E.S.J.Rudolph@TUDELFT.NL
Radial flow in porous medium:
derivation
assumptions
Transient conditions
Semi Steady State conditions
Steady State conditions

2
Recap of last classes (general)
In last classes you got accustomed with Darcys law to
describe one-phase flow through porous medium.
Darcys law needs to be combined to mass balance to allow
calculation of flow through porous medium.
So far, only description of flow at low Reynolds numbers
(laminar flow), steady-state and for incompressible fluids
and rock.
Equations for linear and radial flow have been derived.
3
What will be done next?
General equation will be derived to describe the flow through
porous medium in cartesian and radial coordinates.
Discussion of staedy state, semi-steady state and transition
conditions.
General description of steady state, semi-steady state and
transition conditions.
Detailed description of transient conditions.
4
Derivation of radial flow equation in
porous medium
Derivation in radial form to allow description of flow in porous
medium close to a well.
Equations in radial form create feeling for flow through
porous medium.
Cartesian form commonly used in reservoir simulations.

5
porous medium
Assumptions:
Reservoir is homgenous in all rock properties.
Isotropic behavior of permeability.
Production well is completed over the whole formation
thickness -> radial flow can be assumed.
Formation is fully saturated by a single fluid.

6
porous medium
Radial cell geometry
Volume element for mass balance (accounting for porosity):
dV = 2.t.r.h.m.Ar
7
porous medium
Mass balance:
Mass flow rate (in) mass flow rate (out) =
rate of change of mass in volume element
The left hand of the equation can be rewritten by:
( ) ( )
( )
r r r
A r
dm
q q
dt t
m p
p p
+A
c A
= =
c
( ) ( ) ( )
( )
( )
( )
r r r r r
q
q q q r q
r
q
r
r
p
p p p p
p
+A
c | |
= + A
|
c
\ .
c
= A
c
8
porous medium
With this the mass balance simplifies to:
Darcys law for radial, horizontal flow is:

Substituting this into the mass balance results in:
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( )
2
2
q A r q r h r
r r
r t r t
q
r h
r t
p m p p t m p
p m p
t
c c A c c A
A = A =
c c c c
c c
=
c c
2
k p
q r h
r
t
u
c
=
c
( )
2
2
k p
r h
r
r h
r t
t p
m p
u
t
| | c
c
|
c
c
\ .
=
c c
9
porous medium
Rearranging the equation leads to:
This equation is generally applicable for horizontal, radial 1D
flow.
( ) 1 k p
r
r r r t
m p
p
u
c
| | c c
=
|
c c c
\ .
10
porous medium
The density can be expressed by the mass and the volume:

The isothermal compressibility is in terms of the volume is:
In terms of the density:
i
i
m
V
p =
1
i
i
i
T
V
c
V p
| | c

|
c
\ .
1
1
i
i i i i
i i i
i i
T
T T
m
c c
m p p p
p p p p
p
p
| | | |
c c
| |
| | c
| |
= = =
|
c c c
| |
\ .
| |
\ . \ .
11
porous medium
This is the general equation to compute the isothermal
compressibility for a component i.
The isothermal compressibility can be incorporated in the
mass balance. First, the mass balance is rewritten:
1
i
i
i
T
c
p
p
p
| | c
=
|
c
\ .
( )
( )
1
1
T
k p
r
r
r r t
k p
r
r p
r r p t
p
m p
u
p
m p
u
| | c
c
|
c
c
\ .
=
c c
| | c
c
|
c | |
c c
\ .
=
|
c c c
\ .
12
porous medium
Meaning of product of porosity and the density:

Density p describes the mass per volume, here the pore
volume:

Porosity m is the ratio of the pore volume and the total
volume (matrix + pore volume):

Thus the product describes the mass of fluid per total
volume:

? m p =
i
i
P
m
V
p =
P
total
V
V
m =
i i P
i
P total total
m m V
V V V
p m = =
13
porous medium
In order to describe the compressibility we need to describe
the compressibility of the total volume, meaning of the rock
and of the fluid.

This can also be described by a isothermal compressibility:
i
total
i
m
V
p m
=
( )
1
1
i
i
total i
effective
total i
T
T
i
i
T
m
V
c
V p m p
p
p m
p m
p m
p m
| |
| |
c
|
|
| | c
\ .
|
= =
|
|
c c
\ .
|
|
\ .
c | |
=
|
c
\ .
14
porous medium
With this the rhs of the diffusivity equation can be rewritten:

c
eff
is the efficient isothermal compressibility. Commonly, it is
described as the sum of the isothermal compressibility of the
fluid and of the pores.

The compressibility of the pores can be related to the
compressibility of the matrix.
1
eff
k p p
r c
r r r t
p p m
u
| | c c c
=
|
c c c
\ .
eff fluid pores
c c c = +
15
porous medium
If we assume that the total volume does not change with the
pressure:

And determine the total volume as the sum of the volume of
the matrix and of the pores, a relationship between the pore
volume and the matrix volume changes can be derived:

eff fluid pores
c c c = +
0
total
T
V
p
| | c
=
|
c
\ .
0
total matrix P
total matrix pores
T T T
matrix P
T T
V V V
V V V
p p p
V V
p p
| | | | | | c c c
= + = + =
| | |
c c c
\ . \ . \ .
| | | | c c
=
| |
c c
\ . \ .
16
porous medium
With this and the definition of the isothermal compressibility,
we get:
1
1
1
matrix
matrix
matrix
T
P
P matrix matrix P P
P
T
matrix P
T T
matrix total P
P matrix matrix
P P
total
P matrix matri
P
V
c
V p
V
c c V c V
V p
V V
p p
V V V
c c c
V V
V
c c c
V
| | c
=

|
c
\ .

| | c

= =
`
|
c
\ .

| | | | c c

=
| |
c c
\ . \ .
)
= =
| |
= =
|
\ .
1
1
x
m
| |

|
\ .
17
Radial differential for fluid flow
in porous medium
Single Phase
1
eff
k p p
r c
r r r t
p p m
u
| | c c c
=
|
c c c
\ .
Equation is basic, partial differential equation for description of
radial flow of any single phase through porous medium.

Equation is non-linear due to implicit pressure dependence of
the density, the compressibility and the viscosity.

Analytical solutions can only be found if equation is first
linearized.
18
in porous medium
Linearization
2
2
1
1
eff
eff
k p p
r c
r r r t
p k k p r
r
r r r r
p
c
r t
k p k p
r r
r r r
p p m
u
p p
u u
p m
p
p
u u
| | c c c
=
|
c c c
\ .

| | c c c c
+
|
c c c c
c
\ .

=

c
c c c
+ +
c c c

The equation can only be linearized if some crude assumptions
are made!
Before the equation can be linearized we extend the equation:
19
Introducing the isothermal compressibility for the description of
the derivative of the density with respect to r gives:

For a constant isothermal compressibility, this equation can be
rewritten:
in porous medium
Linearization
1 1 V
c
V p p
p
p
| | | | c c
= =
| |
c c
\ . \ .
1
1
p
c
p r
c
p p r r
r
p
c
r r
p
p
p
p
p p
p
p
c

=

c
c c
=
`
c c c c c
c c c
)
c c
=
c c
20
Assuming that:
Viscosity is independent of pressure and thus is constant
Pressure gradient cp/cr is small (cp/cr)
2
~ 0
We get:

If it is assumed that the compressibility is constant, also the
coefficient at the rhs of the equation is constant.
in porous medium
Linearization
2
2
2
2
1
1
eff
eff
c
p p p
r
r r r k t
c
p p p
r r r k t
p m u
p p
m u

c c c
+ =

c c c

c c c
+ =
c c c
21
Linearized equation only valid with made assumptions.

According to Dranchuk and Quon only applicable for:
c
eff
.p << 1

If this condition is not fulfilled equation cannot be linearized but
needs to be solved by more sophisticated methods.
in porous medium
Linearization
2
2
1 1
eff eff
c c
p p p p p
r
r r r k t r r r k t
m u m u
c c c c c c
| |
+ = =
|
c c c c c c
\ .
22
Note: The above equation is called diffusivity equation.
Diffusivity equations are known from physics. For example the
description of the temperature distribution is described by the
following diffusivity equation:

With T: absolute temperature; K thermal diffusivity constant
in porous medium
Linearization
1 1 T T
r
r r r K t
c c c
| |
=
|
c c c
\ .
1
eff
c
p p
r
r r r k t
m u
c c c
| |
=
|
c c c
\ .
23
Conditions of solution
1
eff
k p p
r c
r r r t
p p m
u
| | c c c
=
|
c c c
\ .
Most common solution is the constant terminal rate solution:
Initial condition:
At some fixed time at which reservoir is at equilibrium
pressure p
eq
well is produced at constant flow rate at r = r
w

Three most common conditions:
Steady-state, semi-steady state and transient.
24
Solution of radial diffusivity equation
Transient
Only short period after pressure disturbance in reservoir, e.g.,
by changing production rate at r = r
w
.
No influence on the pressure response due to the outer
boundary (infinite extension of reservoir).

Solution of radial diffusivity equation:
Pressure and its time gradient are functions of position and
time
( , )
( , )
p f r t
p
g r t
t
=
c
=
c
25
Semi-steady state conditions
Semi-steady state condition applicable to reservoirs which
have been producing for sufficiently long time
Effect of outer boundary felt on pressure response
Outer boundary described by a brick wall
Production with constant flow rate: pressure change with
time constant
26
From the chain rule we know that:

The change of the volume with the pressure can be
described with the compressibility:
0
p
r
q const
c
=
c
=
For r = r
e

For r = r
wc

y y u V V p
q
x u x t p t
c c c c c c
= = =
c c c c c c
V p p q
V c q V c
p t t V c
c c c
= = =
c c c
p
const
t
c
=
c
For all r & t
27
The volume can be described by:

Giving

Note:
The isothermal compressibility c is not necessarily constant
but changes with the pressure, e.g., for gases.
2
p q
t c h r t m
c
=
c
2
V h r t m =
28
Reservoir depletion under semi-steady state conditions:
Once reservoir is producing under semi-steady state
conditions, each well will drain from within its own no-flow
boundary (Matthews, Brons, Hazebroek)

29
This requires that the pressure gradient with time needs to
be about the same throughout the reservoir.
If pressure gradient is not about the same, then flow over
the boundaries would occur until pressure gradients are
leveled out.
Average reservoir pressure can be determined by:

Problem: volume of each segment difficult to determine; thus
relating to flow rates of each well
i i
i
res
i
i
p V
p
V

30
According to boundary condition that flow rate of each well is
constant, we obtained:

If the compressibility does not change with pressure, then
the volume can be replaced by:

With this the averaged reservoir pressure can be described
by:
i i
i
res
i
i
p q
p
q
p q
t V c
c
=
c
q
V const q
p
c
t
= ~
c

c
31
Steady-state condition
Steady-state conditions apply after transient period.
Describes the drainage of a cell with open boundaries.
Constant production rate.
Production rate is balanced by fluid flow via outer boundary
Pressure maintenance via water influx or injection of
replacing fluid.
0
e
p
t
p p const
c
=
c
= =
for all r & t

for r = r
e

32
Solution technique is given in more detail but is general and
can be applied for variety of radial flow problems.
Geometry and pressure distribution for semi-steady state
conditions:
33
We know that:

So that at time t with the average pressure we get:
or more specific

With V the pore volume of the radial cell, q constant
production rate; t total flowing time.
Incorporating

Into the radial distribution equation gives:

p q
t V c
c
=
c
( )
i
V c p p q t =
2
eff e
p q
t c h r t m
c
=
c
2
1 1
eff
e
c
p p p q
r r
r r r k t r r r k h r
m u
u
t

c c c c c
| | | |
= =
| |
c c c c c
\ . \ .
( )
b eff i
V c p p q t m =
34
Integration leads to:

The integration constant C1 can be determined with the
boundary condition for r = r
e
that cp/cr = 0:
2
2
2
1
2
e
e
p q
d r r dr
r k h r
p q r
r C
r k h r
u
t
u
t
c
| |
=
|
c
\ .
c
= +
c
1 0
2
1
2
q
C
k h
q
C
k h
u
t
u
t
+ =

=

35
So that

Further integration gives

Assuming that r
w
2
/r
e
2
negligible simplifies the equation
further:
2
1
2
e
p q r
r k h r r
u
t
| |
c
=
|
c
\ .
( )
2
2 2
2
1
2
ln
2 2
e
w
r w
e w
q r
dp dr
k h r r
r r
q r
p p
k h r r
u
t
u
t
| |
=
|

\ .
| |
| |
|
=
|
|

\ .
\ .
2
2
ln
2 2
r w
e w
q r r
p p
k h r r
u
t
| |
| |
=
|
|
|

\ .
\ .
36
At r = r
e

we obtain the well inflow equation under semi-steady state
conditions.

The production index PI is then:

1
ln
2 2
e
e w
w
r q
p p
k h r
u
t
| |
| |
=
|
|
|

\ .
\ .
2
1
ln
2
e w
e
w
q k h
PI
p p
r
r
t
u

= =
| |
| |

|
|
\ .
\ .
37
Often the Everdingen skin factor is included in the equation,
accounting for additional pressure drop due to the presence
of a skin:

1
ln
2 2
e
e w
w
r q
p p S
k h r
u
t
| |
| |
= +
|
|
|

\ .
\ .
2
1
ln
2
e w
e
w
q k h
PI
p p
r
S
r
t
u

= =
| |
| |
+
|
|
\ .
\ .
38
One disadvantage of this equation is that q and p
w
can be
determined experimentally, but not p
e
.
Pressure difference (pressure draw down) is expressed in
terms of the average pressure rather than the pressure at the
outer boundary:

Replacing the volume with:

e
w
e
w
r
r
r
r
p dV
p
dV
2 dV r h dr t m =
39
Gives

The pressure is described by:

Allows the computation of the average pressure.

( ) ( )
2 2 2 2
2 2
2
2
e e
e
w w
e
w
w
r r
r
r r
r
r e w e w
r
p r h dr p r dr
p p r dr
r r r r
r h dr
t m
t m

= = =

2
2
ln
2 2
r w
e w
q r r
p p
k h r r
u
t
| |
| |
= +
|
|
|

\ .
\ .
40
Derivation of solution analogue for steady state conditions.

For semi-steady state conditions:

For steady-state conditions:
2
1 1
eff
e
c
p p p q
r r
r r r k t r r r k h r
m u
u
t

c c c c c
| | | |
= =
| |
c c c c c
\ . \ .
1
0
p
r
r r r
c c
| |
=
|
c c
\ .
41
Steady state conditions
Radial inflow equations for stabilized flow conditions

-
-
-
-
-
-

4c Radial Flow Semi Steady State

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

4c Radial Flow Semi Steady State

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

AES1310: Rock Fluid Interactions - Part 1

AES1310: Rock Fluid Interactions - Part 1

You might also like