MSc REM

Reservoir Evaluation and Management

Radial Flow and

Well Testing Basics

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 Principle of fluid flow in porous media

Potential problem
flow due to pressure difference
3-D in space, 3-phase fluids, 3-forces
(viscous, gravitational and capillary forces)
Obey three basic laws
The principle of mass conservation
Darcys Law- conservation of momentum
Equation of State

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 The Derivation of radial Diffusivity Equation
Z|z z
+
In the x direction, the mass Y|y+ y

flowing into the element is:
Z
( Vx )|x y z t Z
X|x
Y
Within time t , the mass X|x x
X +
flowing out of the element is:
Y|y
( Vx )|x + x y z t Z|z
Y

X
The mass accumulated in the
element within timet is: An 3-D element of homogeneous
( V )| y z t ( V )|
x x y z t porous media with dimensions of
x x+ x
x, y, z
= ( Vx )|x + x ( Vx )|x y z t

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 In the y direction:
( Vy )| y + y ( Vy )| y x z t
In the z direction:
( Vz )|z + z ( Vz )|z y x t
The total mass accumulation in the element
within time t is:

( x y z )|t + t ( x y z ) | t
= ( )|t + t ( )|t x y z

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 So, we have:
( Vx )|x + x ( Vx )|x y z t ( Vy )| y + y ( Vy )| y x z t
( Vz )|z + z ( Vz )|z y x t = ( )|t + t ( )|t x y z

Dividing each terms on both sides of the above

equation by x y z t :
( Vx )|x + x ( Vx )|x ( Vy )| y + y ( Vy )| y

x y
( Vz )|z + z ( Vz )|z ( )|t + t ( )|t
=
z t

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 Taking the limit of the above equation, i.e., let:
x 0 , y 0 , z 0 t, 0

( Vx ) ( Vy ) ( Vz )= ( )
x y z t
This is the continuation equation of a single phase,
compressible fluid flowing in a 3-D porous media.
According to Darcys law:
k P D V = k P g D
Vx = g y
x x y y

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 k P D
Vz = g
z z
Replacing these in the continuation equation:
k P D k P D
g + g +
x x x y y y
k P D
g = ( )
z z z t

Considering:
The viscous dominated laminar flow

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 The small, constant rock compressibility and
Equation of State :
P
( ) = C
t t
It is derived:
P
2
P P
2 2
P
k + k + k = Ct
x 2 x
y 2 y
z 2 z
t
For an isotropic, homogeneous reservoir:

kx = k y = kz = k
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 Replace this into the above equation:
P P P Ct P
2 2 2
+ + =
x 2
y z
2 2
k t
Using Cylindrical Co-ordinate system:
1 P 1 P P Ct P
2 2

r + 2 + =
r r r r 2
z 2
k t
Considering 1-D radial flow:
1 P 1 P
r =
r r r t
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 Where:
k
=
Ct
Is called, The Hydraulic Diffusivity.

This is the basic radial diffusivity equation

for transient pressure analysis.

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 Assumptions for the Derivation of
the Diffusivity Equation
The reservoir formation is homogeneous and
isotropic with uniform thickness: h = constant,
kx = k y = kz = k
The rock and fluid properties are independent of
pressure (constant compressibility and fluid
viscosity).
The pressure gradient in the formation is small, so
2 2 2
the terms: P , P , P can be ignored.
x y z

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 The flow to the well is radial (laminar) flow, so the
Darcys Law can be applied.
The gravity effect (force) is ignored ( flow is
viscous dominated).

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 Constant Terminal Rate
Pressure Draw Down Solution

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 Diffusivity Equation

p
r
p k 1 r
=
t c r r
Second order , Linear Parabolic PDE

= k Hydraulic Initial Condition

c Diffusivity
e j
p r,0 = p i all r > rw

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 The Constant Terminal Rate DD Solution

Initial condition:
P |t =0 = Pi , for all r

Inner boundary condition:

P q
lim r = , for t > 0
r 0
r 2 kh
Outer boundary condation:
P |r = Pi , for all t

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 Inner Boundary Condition
- Constant Rate Well

q k p
ur = =
2 rw h r
p q 1
i.e. =
r r = rw
2 kh rw
Finite Wellbore Radius Inner B.C.

L in e Sou rce Lim r p = q

Appro xima tio n r 0 r 2 kh

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 Dimensionless Variables

p i p(r, t) Dimensionless
pD = Pressure
q drop
2 kh
kt
tD = Dimensionless

c t rw
2 Time

rD = r D imensio nless
Radius
rw (position)

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 Dimensionless Form of the Diffusivity Equation

pD
rD
p D 1 rD
=
t D rD rD
I.C. pD = 0 , all rD tD < 0

pD
B.C. 1 = 1 at rD = 1 tD > 0
rD

B.C. 2 pD = 0 as rD
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 Line Source, constant terminal rate solution
in an infinite acting reservoir, in Field units
due to Matthews and Russell (1967):
70.6q B Ct r
2
P (r , t ) = Pi Ei
kh 0.00105kt
Where, Ei ( x) is termed The Ei Function.

e du
u
x x x 2
3
Ei ( x) = = ln x + ......
x
u 1! 2(2!) 3(3!)
is the expression of The Exponential Integral.

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 Log Approximation to the Ei Function

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 For a small x value, e.g., x < 0.01 , this term
can be further simplified as:
Ei ( x) = ln( x) + 0.5772
Where, the number 0.5772 is Eulers constant, so:
70.6q B Ct rw
2

P (rw , t ) = Pwf = Pi ln 0.5772
kh 0.00105kt
Substituting the log base 10 into this equation
for the ln term:
162.6q B kt
P (rw , t ) = Pwf = Pi log 2
3.23
kh Ct rw

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 Re-arranging for DD analysis:
Pwf (t p ) = Pi m log(t p )
Where:
qB
m = 162.6
kh
This is the basic equation for transient well test analysis.
Considering skin and using field unit:

qs B k
pwf = pi ln t + ln + 0.80908 + 2 S
4 kh Ct rw
2

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 Pressure Draw Down
Analysis and field Examples

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 Pressure Drawdown Testing

RATE
q PRODUCING

SH U T- I N
0

0 TIME, t

pws = pi

Bottom Hole
Pressure Pwf

0 Fig
TI M E, t
2.3.1

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 For an infinite-acting reservoir with an altered Zone

p wD 1
= [ln t D + 0.80908 + 2S]
2
qsB ln t + ln k
i.e. p wf = pi + 0.80908 + 2S
4 kh c t rw2

Hence plot pwf versus l n t

Giving p wf = m ln t + p t =1

s lo pe intercept

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 Drawdown Semilog Plot

Deviation from straight line

caused by damage and
pt=1 wellbore storage effects

qsB
Bottom slope, m =
4kh
Hole
Pressure
Pwf

0
ln t
NOTE : ln t = 0 corresponds to t = 1
Fig 2.3.2

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 Drawdown Interpretation

Slope of Semilog Straight Line

q sB
m= kh k
4 kh
Intercept of Semilog Straight Line

p t =1 = p i + m ln k + 0.80908 + 2S
c t rw2

i.e. S=
1 p t = 1 p i ln k
0.80908
2 m c t rw2
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 SPE Field Units

q s : STB/D r : ft : cp
h : ft t : hr : fraction
k : md c t : psi
-1
p : psi

0.000263679 k t
tD =
c t rw2

p p
pD = =
887.217 q s B 1412
. qs B
2 kh kh
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 Field Units - Log10 or semilog graph paper
1 4 tD
p wD = ln +S
2
p = 2.3026 log 4 t D + 086859
. S
i.e. wD
2 10

887.2 q s B 23026 log 00002637
. 4k t
p wf = pi . + 086859
. S
2k h 2 10 c t rw2

or
162.6 q s B log t + log
p wf = pi
k 32275
. + 0.86859S
kh c t rw
2

Slope

162.6 q s B
m= kh k
kh
Intercept
p t =1 = p i + m log k 32275
. + 0.86859S
c t rw2

i.e. p t =1 p i k
S = 11513
. log + 32275
.
m c t rw
2

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 Radius of Investigation Concept

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 Radius of Influence

pD = 0.1

3 3 4
10 5x10 tD=10

1 100 200
PRESSURE rD
DISTURBANCE
FRONT Fig 2.2.8

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 Radius of Investigation
q

ACTIVE OBSERVATION
WELL WELL

MINIMUM OBSERVABLE p
DEPENDS ON GAUGE RESOLUTION

1 Fr I
= Ei G
2
pD D
J
2 H 4t K
D

rD
pi
p 2 kh
pwo pD =
q
= 0.1
"ARBI TRARY"
CRIT ERION
OBS
WELL
PRESSURE
Ei SOLUTION
0
t Fig 2.2.9

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 The radius of investigation:

kt
rinv = 0.0325
Ct
Note:
This parameter is
independent of flowing rate
Its accuracy depends on
pressure gauge

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 Principles of Superposition

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 Superposition in space

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 A no-flow boundaryresulted from
two wells producing at equal rate

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 A constant pressure boundaryresulted from
an injection and a production well
producing at equal rate

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 Superposition in time

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 Constant Terminal Rate
Pressure Build Up Solution

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 q

DD time of t = tp+ t
0
Well producing Well shut-in

tp
t

+ t

Injection Draw-down Build-up

time of t

0
tp
t

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Superposition of DD with rate +q for the time tp+t
and injection with rate -q for the time t

162.6q B k (t p + t )
Pi Pws = log 2
3.23
kh Ct rw
162.6 ( q) B k t
+ log 2
3.23
kh Ct rw

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 The Solution for Pressure BU Analysis
- Horner Time Function

162.6q B (t p + t )
Pws = Pi log
kh t
(t p + t )
Where, is due to Horner, termed Horner Time.
t

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 Pressure Build Up
Analysis and field Examples

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 Schematic Flow-Rate and Pressure Behaviour for an Ideal Buildup

FLOWING

R
A
T
E SHUT-IN
tp t

B pws
H
P

pwf (t=0) tp Figure

t 2.5.1

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 Semilog (Horner) Plot for a Buildup

slope, m =
q sB p*
4k h
p ws

Deviation from Straight

Line caused by
Afterflow and Skin

ln t +t t
p 0

Fig 2.5.1b

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 The extrapolation to infinite shut-in time for
initial reservoir pressure.
t p t
+ 0 +1
lim log t t = log = log(1) = 0
Dt t 1
t

t p + t
lim Pws Pi
t t

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 The extrapolation to infinite shut-in time for
initial reservoir pressure.
Pi

infinite time
Logarithmic
1 10 100 1000
Linear scale
0 1 2 3

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 Determination of the Skin Factor

Bas ed on the pw s
Las t Flowing pw f
Pressure
pw f ( t=0)
p wf( t = 0 )

t
At the end of the flow period i.e. t = tp
q kt p
p wf ( t = 0 ) = p i ln + 0 .80908 + 2S
4kh c t rw
2

Only the pressure prior to shut-in is influenced by the skin effect
For an infinite-acting system replace pi by p*,
the MTR straight line extrapolated pressure
q
Also make the substitution =m slope of Horner plot
4kh

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 Skin Factor from a Buildup

k tp
pwf (t = 0) = p + m ln

+ 0.80908 + 2S
c t rw2

i.e. 1 p wf (t = 0) p k tp
S= ln 0.80908
2 m c t rw2

where m = slope of Horner plot (MTR)

p* = straight line intercept (MTR extrapolated pressure)

pwf (t=0) = flowing bottom-hole pressure just prior to shut-in

Note "m" is intrinsically negative

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 SPE Field Units

1 pwf (t = 0) p k tp
Natural Log (ln) S= ln + 7.43173
2 m ct rw2

p wf (t p ) p k tp
Log Base 10 S = 11513
. m log10 2 + 3.2275
c t rw

Note m is a negative quantity

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 Test Precautions
Determine pwf ( t=0) and t( t=0)
very accurately

End of
Drawdown
pBU = pws pwf(t=0)
t = t t(t=0)

+
pw f (t=0)
t(t=0)
Buildup
t
Stabilise flow-rate before shutin

Shutin
q
Flow- Q
Rate tp = Afterflow
q
Q = cumulative
volume

t
Fig 2.5.8

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 Horner Plot

pws Early Piper Well

slope
(HP Gauge)
m = 0.7465 psi
(psia)
3424
qs = 11750 bbl/d
B = 1.28 = 0.75 cp
3423 rw = 0.362 ft = 0.237
-5 -1
ct = 1.234*10 psi
kh = 1.067* 106 md.ft
S = 3.08
3422
8 7 6 tp + t 5 4
ln
Fig 2.5.10 t

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 Miller Dyes and Hutchinson
(MDH) method (1950)

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 Horner solution for pressure BU analysis:
t p + t
Pws = Pi m log
t
Horner solution for pressure BU analysis:
t p + t
Pws = Pi m log = Pi m log ( t p + t ) + m log(t )
t
For t p >> t , condition for MDH method

log ( t p + t ) log ( t p ) = cons tan t

Pws = cons tan t + m log(t )

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 Matthews Brons and Hazebroek
(MBH) method (1953)

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