Material Balance Equation

By
Dr Anil Kumar
Material Balance
When fluids (oil, gas, water) are produced from an oil reservoir,
which may or may not have a primary gas cap, the pressure in this
reservoir will drop below the original value.
As a consequence of this pressure drop, a number of things will
happen:
1. the pore volume of the reservoir will become smaller
2. the connate water will expand
3. oil, if still under saturated, will expand
4. oil, if at or already below bubble point, will shrink while
gas will come out of solution
5. free gas, if present, will expand
6. water may start flowing into the reservoir, for instance,
across the original oil/water contact (OWC).
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
For a oil reservoir there may be following four conditions

1. Above the Bubble Point

2. Below Bubble Point
3. Presence of Gas cap
4. Presence of aquifer support
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Above the Bubble Point
Above the bubble point the production from the reservoir is due
to the expansion of the liquid (including water) in the reservoir as
pressure declines, and the reduction in pore volume due to the
decrease in pressure.
Assuming that the production is due entirely to liquid oil
expansion, a material balance for an oil reservoir is
NBoi = (N - Np)Bo

where N is the original oil volume in the reservoir and the Np is

the volume of oil produced both expressed in stock tank
barrels.
Boi = Initial oil FV factor, Bo = Oil FV factor
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Initial stage (1) Final stage (2)

OIL OIL

N*Boi (N-Np)*Bo
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir

Equation : Oil material balance

Oil present
Oil Oil remaining
in the reservoir in the reservoir
initially - produced
(st. vol finally
(st. vol.) (st. vol.)

N Boi = (N-Np)Bo
N = Bo*Np/Bo-Boi

where N is the original oil volume in the reservoir and the Np is the
volume of oil produced both expressed in stock tank barrels.
Boi = Initial oil FV factor, Bo = Oil FV factor
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Example:
The reservoir fluid has an oil formation volume factor of 1.572
bbl/STB at the initial reservoir pressure 4400 psia and 1.600
bbl/STB at the bubble point pressure of 3550 psia. If the
reservoir produced 680000 STB when the pressure dropped at
3550 psia, calculate the initial oil in place. Also calculate the % of
oil recovered so far.
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
•   reservoir fluid has an oil formation volume factor of 1.572
The
bbl/STB at the initial reservoir pressure 4400 psia and 1.600
bbl/STB at the bubble point pressure of 3550 psia. If the
reservoir produced 680000 STB when the pressure dropped at
3550 psia, calculate the initial oil in place. Also calculate the % of
oil recovered so far.
Solution:
N=

N = = 38.8 MM STB
Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Gas Liberation Below the Bubble Point
• When the oil in the reservoir reaches the bubble point
pressure, gas will be liberated and will continue to be liberated
as the pressure declines.
• This is the mechanism of solution gas drive reservoir.
• In this mechanism, the produced fluids are now oil with its
contained solution gas and gas which has come out of solution
from the oil.
• Not all of this released free gas will be produced to the surface,
some will remain in the reservoir.
Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Gas Liberation Below the Bubble Point
The free gas in the reservoir can be written:
Free gas in reservoir = original gas in solution - remaining gas in
solution – produced gas(Gps).
= (NRsi - (N - Np)Rs - Gps)Bg
where N is the original oil volume in the reservoir (Stb)
Np is the volume of oil produced (Stb)
Rsi = initial solution GOR, Rs = solution GOR
Gps = cumulative solution gas produced
Bg = Gas formation volume factor
Liberated Gas

NBoi Oil Volume with

remaining solution
gas
Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
•   Liberation Below the Bubble Point
Gas
The volume of free gas and the remaining oil can now be added
to make equal to original oil volume.

NBoi = (N - Np)Bo + (NRsi-(N - Np)Rs - Gps)Bg

The equation can be written in terms of the original stock-tank

volume in the reservoir.

N=
Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Material Balance with Gas Cap and Water Drive
The equation developed assumes no change in reservoir volume.
If fluid encroaches into original oil bearing volume either from an
expanding gas cap or an encroaching water drive there will be
loss to the oil reservoir volume.
Change in volume due to gas cap expansion.
= (G - Gpc)Bg – GBgi
Change in volume due to water encroachment
= (We-WpBw)
Where Gpc= Cummulative gas cap produced
We= Cummulative water influx and
Wp= Cummulative water produced
Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Material Balance with Gas Cap and Water Drive
∴ Total change in volume = original oil volume - (oil volume +
free solution gas)
Gas Cap Gas Cap
Gas Cap expansion
Oil Volume with free
NBoi
solution gas
Net Water encroachment

Aquifer Aquifer

Figure: Material Balance with Gas cap and Water Drive

Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Material Balance with Gas Cap and Water Drive
∴ Total change in volume = original oil volume - (remaining oil volume + free
solution gas)

(We-Wp)+ (G-Gpc)Bg-GBgi = NBoi - ((N - Np)Bo + (NRsi-(N - Np)Rs - Gps)Bg)

N = NpBo + Bg (Gps − NpRs ) − ((G − Gpc )Bg − GBgi )) −(We − WpBw )

Bo − Boi + (Rsi − Rs )Bg

The gas production is separated into gas cap and solution gas, Gpc and Gps.
However, the two can be combined so that Gp=Gpc+Gps then:

N = NpBo + Bg (Gp − NpRs ) − G(Bg − Bgi ) − (We −Wp)

Bo − Boi + (Rsi − Rs )Bg

Where: N=Initial oil in place, Np= oil produced, Boi= initial FVF, Bo= FVF,
G=initial gas cap volume, Gp=cumulative gas produced, Gps= solution gas
produced, Gpc=gas cap produced, Bgi=initial gas FVF, Bg= gas FVFRsi=initial
GOR, Rs=GOR, We= cumulative water influx, Wp=cumulative water
production.
Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Several of the material balance calculations require the total
pore volume (P.V) as expressed in terms of the initial oil volume
N and the volume of the gas cap G.
The expression for the total pore volume can be derived by
conveniently introducing the parameter m into the relationship
as follows:
Defining the ratio m as:

Initial volume of the gas cap = G Bgi = m N Boi

 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir

The total volume of the hydrocarbon system =

Initial oil volume + initial gas cap volume = (P.V) (1 − Swi)

NBoi + GBgi = N Boi + m N Boi = (P.V) (1 − Swi)

(1)
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir

Treating the reservoir pore as an idealized container

volumetric balance expressions can be derived to account for
all volumetric changes which occur during the natural
productive life of the reservoir.

Tank Model Concept

 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
The MBE can be written in a generalized form as follows:
Pore volume occupied by the oil initially in place at pi
+
Pore volume occupied by the gas in the gas cap at pi
=
Pore volume occupied by the remaining oil at p
+
Pore volume occupied by the gas in the gas cap at p
+
Pore volume occupied by the evolved solution gas at p
+
Pore volume occupied by the net water influx at p
+
Change in pore volume due to connate water expansion and pore volume
reduction due to rock expansion
+
Pore volume occupied by the injected gas at p
+
Pore volume occupied by the injected water at p (2)
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Pore volume occupied by the oil initially in place at pi
= (N Boi) (3)

Pore volume occupied by the gas in the gas cap at pi

= (m N Boi) (4)

Pore Volume Occupied by the Remaining Oil

Volume of the remaining oil = (N − Np) Bo (5)

 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir

Pore Volume Occupied by the Gas Cap at Reservoir Pressure p

As the reservoir pressure drops to a new level p, the gas in the

gas cap expands. Assuming no gas is produced from the gas
cap during the pressure decline, the new volume of the gas cap
can be determined as:

(6)
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Pore Volume Occupied by the Evolved Solution Gas
This can be determined by applying the following material
balance on the solution gas:

………
… (7)
Pore Volume Occupied by the Net Water Influx
net water influx =We −Wp Bw (8)
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
 Change in Pore Volume Due to Initial Water and Rock
Expansion
The water compressibility cw and rock compressibility cf are
generally of the same order of magnitude as the
compressibility of the oil.
The effect of these two components, however, can be
neglected for gas-cap-drive reservoir or when the reservoir
pressure drops below the bubble-point pressure.
The compressibility coefficient c, which describes the
changes in the volume (expansion) of the fluid or material
with changing pressure is given by:

c=
ΔV = VcΔp
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
ΔV represents the net changes or expansion of the material
as a result of changes in the pressure.
The reduction in the pore volume due to the expansion of
the connate water in the oil zone and the gas cap is given by:
Connate water expansion = [(pore volume) Swi] cw Δp
Substituting for the pore volume (P.V) with Equation-1:

(9)
where Δp = change in reservoir pressure, (pi − p)
cw = water compressibility coefficient, psi−1
m = ratio of the volume of the gas-cap gas to the reservoir oil
volume, bbl/bbl
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Similarly, the reduction in the pore volume due to the
expansion of the reservoir rock is given by:

(10)

Combining the expansions of the connate water and

formation as represented by Equations -9 and-10 gives:

(11)
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Pore Volume Occupied by the Injection of Gas and Water
Assuming that Ginj volumes of gas and Winj volumes of water
have been injected for pressure maintenance,
the total pore volume occupied by the two injected fluids is
given by:

Total volume = Ginj Bginj + Winj Bw (12)

where Ginj = cumulative gas injected, scf

Bginj = injected gas formation volume factor, bbl/scf
Winj = cumulative water injected, STB
Bw = water formation volume factor, bbl/STB
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Combining Equations-3 through 12 with Equation 2 and
rearranging gives:

……………….(13)
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
The cumulative gas produced Gp can be expressed in terms of
the cumulative gas-oil ratio Rp and cumulative oil produced Np
by:
Gp = Rp Np (14)
Combining Equation -14 with Equation-13 gives:

….. (15)
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
A more convenient form of the material balance equation
MBE can be determined by introducing the concept of the total
(two-phase) formation volume factor Bt into the equation. This
oil PVT property is defined as:
Bt = Bo + (Rsi − Rs) Bg (16)

Introducing Bt into Equation-15 and assuming, for sake of

simplicity, no water or gas injection is considered:

….(17)
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir

 N(Bt-Bti) + NmBti (Bg-Bgi/Bgi) + N Boi (1+m) (pi-p)

+ We-WpBw = Np[Bt+(Rp-Rsi)Bg ]
Or

= 1`
…………..(18)
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
In a combination drive reservoir where all the driving
mechanisms are simultaneously present, the relative
magnitude of each of the driving mechanisms and its
contribution to the production can be determine .
Rearranging Equation-18 gives:

(18)
Where,
A = Np [Bt + (Rp − Rsi) Bg] (19)
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Equation-18 can be abbreviated and expressed as:
DDI + SDI + WDI + EDI = 1.0 (20)
where DDI = depletion-drive index
SDI = segregation (gas-cap)-drive index
WDI = water-drive index
EDI = expansion (rock and liquid)-drive index
The four terms of the left-hand side of Equation-20 represent
the major primary driving mechanisms by which oil may be
recovered from oil reservoirs.
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
 
Drive Indexes
Depletion Drive Index.
This driving mechanism is represented mathematically by the
first term of Equation-18 or:
DDI = N (Bt − Bti)/A (1)

where DDI is termed the depletion-drive index.

Segregation Drive Index.
This driving force is described by the second term of Equation-
18, or:
SDI = [N m Bti (Bg − Bgi)/Bgi]/A = (2)
where SDI is termed the segregation-drive index.
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
 
Drive Indexes
Water Drive Index.
This driving mechanism is represented mathematically by the
third term of Equation-18 or:
WDI = (We −Wp Bw)/A (3)

where WDI is termed the water-drive index..

Expansion Drive Index.
For under saturated oil reservoirs with no water influx, the
principle source of energy is a result of the rock and fluid
expansion.
The contribution of the rock and fluid expansion to the oil
recovery is too small and essentially negligible and can be
ignored.
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Drive Indexes
If the magnitude of one of the index terms is reduced, then
one or both of the remaining terms must be correspondingly
increased.
An effective water drive will usually result in maximum
recovery from the reservoir. Therefore, if possible, the
reservoir should be operated to yield a maximum water-drive
index and minimum values for the depletion-drive index and
the gas-cap-drive index.
Maximum advantage should be taken of the most efficient
drive available, and where the water drive is too weak to
provide an effective displacing force, it may be possible to
utilize the displacing energy of the gas cap.
In any event, the depletion-drive index should be maintained
as low as possible at all times, as this is normally the most
inefficient driving force available.
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir

Drive Indexes
Equation-20 can be solved at any time to determine the
magnitude of the various driving indexes.
The forces displacing the oil and gas from the reservoir are
subject to change from time to time.
Equation-20 should be solved periodically to determine
whether there has been any change in the driving indexes.
Changes in fluid withdrawal rates are primarily responsible for
changes in the driving indexes.
Reducing the oil-producing rate could result in an increased
water-drive index and a correspondingly reduced depletion-
drive index in a reservoir containing a weak water drive.
Shutting in wells producing large quantities of water, the water-
drive index could be increased, as the net water influx is the
important factor.
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Example -1
A combination-drive reservoir contains 10 MMSTB of oil
initially in place. The ratio of the original gas-cap volume to the
original oil volume, i.e., m, is estimated as 0.25. The initial
reservoir pressure is 3000 psia at 150°F. The reservoir
produced 1 MMSTB of oil, 1100 MMscf of 0.8 specific gravity
gas, and 50,000 STB of water by the time the reservoir
pressure dropped to 2800 psi. Following are the other
parameters of reservoir. The PVT is available in the table

Swi = 0.20 cw = 1.5 × 10−6 psi−1 cf = 1 × 10−6 psi−1

 PVT Parameters

Calculate:
a. Cumulative water influx
b. Net water influx
c. Primary driving indexes at 2800 psi
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Because the reservoir contains a gas cap, the rock and fluid
expansion can be neglected, i.e., set cf and cw = 0.

Part A. Cumulative water influx

Step 1. Calculate cumulative gas-oil ratio Rp:

Step 2. Arrange Equation -17 to solve for We:

Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Part B. Net water influx
Net water influx =We −Wp Bw = 411,281 − 50,000 = 361,281 bbl

Part C. Primary recovery indexes

Step 1. Calculate the parameter A by using Equation-19:
A = 106 [1.655 + (1100 − 1040) 0.00092] = 1,710,000
Step 2. Calculate DDI, SDI, and WDI by applying Equations-21
through-23, respectively:
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir

These calculations show that the 43.85% of the recovery was

obtained by depletion drive, 34.65% by gas-cap drive, 21.12%
by water drive, and only 0.38% by connate water and rock
expansion.
The results suggest that the expansion-drive index (EDI) term
can be neglected in the presence of a gas cap or when the
reservoir pressure drops below the bubble point pressure.
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir
Example-2: An oil field having combination-drive reservoir with
current reservoir pressure at 2500 psi. The reservoir
production data and PVT information are given below:

Volume of bulk oil zone = 100,000 ac-ft

Volume of bulk gas zone = 20,000 ac-ft
Calculate the initial oil in place.
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir

Solution
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir

Solution
Step 3. Solve for the initial oil-in-place by applying Equation-15:
 Material Balance
Oil Reservoir

Solution
Step 3. Solve for the initial oil-in-place by applying Equation-15:

(1.33-1.35)

= 34.79
Material Balance Gas Reservoir
• If the gas reservoir is supported by water drive then as gas is
produced, water will encroach into the gas pore space, and
some of this water may also be produced.
• Because the mobility of gas is far greater than water,
production of water at surface may be delayed as the water
keeps to the gas water contact.
• The support from the water would be evidenced by the
pressure support given to the reservoir.
• In earlier years this may not be so easy to detect.
Material Balance Gas Reservoir
For a dry gas reservoir with water drive
With water drive, water will enter in to the pore volume originally
occupied by gas and some water may be produced.

GBgi (G-Gp)Bg

We-Wp
Water Water
Figure : Material Balance For a Dry Gas With Water Drive
GBgi = (G-Gp)Bg + We – Wp Bw
Where, G = Initial Gas in Place, Gp = Cumulative gas produced
Bgi = initial gas vol. factor, Bg = gas vol. factor
We = cumulative influx, Wp = cumulative water production
Bw = FVF of water
Material Balance
Gas Reservoir
Example
A gas reservoir under partial water drive produced 12.0 MMM SCF
when the average reservoir pressure had dropped from 3000 psia to
2200 psia. During the same interval, an estimated 5.20 MM bbl of
water entered the reservoir based on the volume of the invaded
area. If the gas deviation factor at 3000 psia and bottom-hole
temperature of 170°F is 0.88 and at 2200 psia is 0.78, what is the
initial volume of gas in place measured at 14.7 psia and 60°F?
Material Balance
Gas Reservoir
Solution
Gp=12 x109SCF
Pi = 3000Psia (Z = 0.88)
P = 2200Psia (Z = 0.76) T =170° F = 630° R
We =5.2 x106bbl
G =?
G(Bg — Bgi) + We = GpBg
Bg, = 0.0282× 0.88(630)/3000 = 0.0054
Bg = 0.0282 × 0.78(630)/2200 = 0.00629
G(0.00629 — 0.0054) + (5.2 x x 5.615) =12 x109(0.000629)
G = 42.8MMMSCF
Material Balance

SIGNIFICANCE AND USAGE OF THE MATERIAL BALANCE

EQUATION
The material balance is roughly a relation between four
quantities:
1. oil and gas in place (N, or G)
2. Production of oil, water and gas (Np, Rp, Wp)
3. water influx (We)
4. average reservoir pressure (pressure dependent PVT
parameters and p in pore/water compressibility term).

This means that if three of these quantities are known, the

fourth can be calculated.
Material Balance

ASSUMPTIONS IN MATERIAL BALANCE EQUATION

The MB equation has some basic assumptions and limitations which can cause some
errors when applied to some reservoirs.
Pressure
The MB equation is a tank model and consider pressure is constant throughout the
reservoir at a particular time. In order to apply the equation at a particular time an
average pressure has to be selected being representative of the reservoir pressure
at the particular time. And all fluid properties are evaluated at this pressure.
Temperature
Changes in a reservoir generally take place at isothermal, unless major external
temperatures are imposed, for example: thermal recovery and in some cases large
cold water injection schemes.
Representative PVT data
The PVT measurements should be made in an attempt to reflect the behaviour in
the reservoir. Although this may not be totally possible, conditions as near to the
real situation are used.
Good production data
It is important in the application of the MB equation to have reliable production
data not only oil and gas but also water.
Material Balance

SIGNIFICANCE AND USAGE OF THE MATERIAL BALANCE EQUATION

Some examples illustrate this:
• If production and pressure data are known as a function of time, and oil
and gas in place is available from a volumetric estimate, the water influx
(We) can be determined as function of time. Its magnitude has a direct
bearing on secondary recovery plans.
• If there is no evidence of a natural water drive (We=0) the oil in place can
be calculated from production and pressure data. This may have an
influence on the geological interpretation (volumetric estimate) and thus
on the further development of the reservoir.
• For a known oil in place, the pressure at future dates can be calculated
for a postulated production plan (making some assumptions regarding
the future water influx). The result of this calculation may help in:

a) deciding whether or when artificial lift facilities will be needed.

b) estimating the reserve of the reservoir down to a certain abandonment

pressure, also as function of the cumulative gas oil ratio Rp.
Material Balance

SOURCES OF DATA TO BE USED IN THE MATERIAL BALANCE

• A range of sources provide the key data for the application of the MB
equation. These sources are also the source for other simulation tools.
PVT Data
• From PVT reports of individual wells with Averaging and correcting PVT data
prior to use in M.B.
Production Data
• From well and reservoir records (data banks) or the subject of calculation.
Oil and Gas in Place
• From volumetric estimates or subject of the calculation.
Connate Water Saturation
• Sw : from petro physics
Reservoir Pressures
• From pressure surveys in the field, or subject of the calculation.
Water Influx
• The subject of water influx, is studied on the basis of MB
 Material Balance Equation

The material balance equation as presented below has the groups

Np [Bo + (Rp − Rs) Bg] Represents the reservoir volume of

cumulative oil and gas produced.
[We −Wp Bw] Refers to the net water influx that is
retained in the reservoir.
[Ginj Bginj +Winj Bw] This pressure maintenance term
represents cumulative fluid
injection in the reservoir.
 Material Balance Equation

There are essentially three unknowns in material balance Equation

a. The original oil in place N
b. The cumulative water influx We
c. The original size of the gas cap as compared to the oil zone size m
In developing a methodology for determining the above three
unknowns, the material balance Equation expressed in the following
form:

(1)
 Material Balance Equation

The material balance equation can further be expressed in a more

condensed form for underground withdrawal as:
F = N [Eo + m Eg + Ef,w] + (We +Winj Bw + Ginj Bginj)
Assuming, for the purpose of simplicity, that no pressure maintenance
by gas or water injection is being considered, the above relationship
can be further simplified and written as:
F = N [Eo + m Eg + Ef,w] +We (2)
In which the terms F, Eo, Eg, and Ef,w are defined by the following
relationships
F represents the underground withdrawal and given by:
F = Np [Bo + (Rp − Rs) Bg] +Wp Bw (3)
In terms of the two-phase formation volume factor Bt, the
underground withdrawal F can be written as:
F = Np [Bt + (Rp − Rsi) Bg] +WpBw (4)
 Material Balance Equation
Eo describes the expansion of oil and its originally dissolved gas and is
expressed in terms of the oil formation volume factor as:
Eo = (Bo − Boi) + (Rsi − Rs) Bg (5)
Or equivalently, in terms of Bt:
Eo = Bt − Bti (6)
Eg is the term describing the expansion of the gas-cap gas and is
defined by the following expression:
Eg = Boi [(Bg/Bgi) − 1] (7)
In terms of the two-phase formation volume factor Bt, essentially Bti =
Boi or:
Eg = Bti [(Bg/Bgi) − 1] (8)
Ef,w represents the expansion of the initial water and the reduction in
the pore volume and is given by:
 Material Balance Equation
In the case of a reservoir which has no initial gas cap (i.e., m = 0) or
water influx (i.e., We = 0), and negligible formation and water
compressibility (i.e., cf and cw = 0); Equation 2 reduces to:
F = N Eo
The above expression suggests that a plot of the parameter F as a
function of the oil expansion parameter Eo would yield a straight line
with a slope N and intercept equal to zero.
This significant observation will provide the engineer with valuable
information that can be used in determining the following unknowns:
• Initial oil in place N
• Size of the gas cap m
• Water influx We
• Driving mechanism
 Material Balance Equation
The applications of the straight-line form of the MBE in solving
reservoir engineering problems are:
1. Case 1: Determination of N in volumetric undersaturated reservoirs
2. Case 2: Determination of N in volumetric saturated reservoirs
3. Case 3: Determination of N and m in gas cap drive reservoirs
4. Case 4: Determination of N and We” in water drive reservoirs
 Material Balance Equation
Case 1: Volumetric under saturated oil reservoirs
Assuming no water or gas injection, the linear form of the MBE as
expressed by Equation:
F = N [Eo + m Eg + Ef,w] +We
For a volumetric and undersaturated reservoir, the conditions
associated with driving mechanism are:
• We = 0, since the reservoir is volumetric
• m = 0, since the reservoir is undersaturated
• Rs = Rsi = Rp, since all produced gas is dissolved in the oil
Applying the above conditions on Equation:
F = N (Eo + Ef,w)
or
 Material Balance Equation
Case 1: Volumetric under saturated oil reservoirs
 Material Balance Equation
Case 1: Volumetric under saturated oil reservoirs
A plot of the underground withdrawal F versus the expansion term (Eo
+ Ef,w) should result in a straight line going through the origin with N
being the slope
If the linear relationship is expected for the reservoir and yet the
actual plot turns out to be nonlinear, then this deviation can itself be
diagnostic in determining the actual drive mechanisms in the
reservoir.
A linear plot of the underground withdrawal F versus (Eo + Ef,w)
indicates that the field is producing under volumetric performance,
i.e., no water influx, and strictly by pressure depletion and fluid
expansion.
On the other hand, a nonlinear plot indicates that the reservoir should
be characterized as a water-drive reservoir.
 Material Balance Equation
Case 1: Volumetric under saturated oil reservoirs
Example:
A field is a volumetric undersaturated reservoir. Volumetric
calculations indicate the reservoir contains 270.6 MMSTB of oil initially
in place. The initial reservoir pressure is 3685psi. The following
additional data are available:
Swi = 24% cw = 3.62 × 10−6 psi−1 cf = 4.95 × 10−6 psi−1
Bw = 1.0 bbl/STB pb = 1500 psi
The PVT data are
 Material Balance Equation
Case 1: Volumetric under saturated oil reservoirs
Solution:
Step 1. Calculate the initial water and rock expansion term Ef,w from
Equation
 Material Balance Equation
Case 1: Volumetric under saturated oil reservoirs
Solution:
Step 3. Plot the underground withdrawal term F against the expansion
term (Eo + Ef,w) on a Cartesian scale,
Step 4. Draw the best straight line through the points and determine
the slope of the line and the volume of the active initial oil in place as:
N = 257 MMSTB
It should be noted that the value of the initial oil in place as
determined from the MBE is referred to as the effective or active
initial oil in place.
This value is usually smaller than that of the volumetric estimate due
to oil being trapped in undrained fault compartments or low-
permeability regions of the reservoir.
 Material Balance Equation
Case 1: Volumetric under saturated oil reservoirs
 Material Balance Equation
Case 2: Volumetric Saturated-Oil Reservoirs.
An oil reservoir that originally exists at its bubble-point pressure is referred to
as a saturated oil reservoir.
The main driving mechanism in this type of reservoir results from the
liberation and expansion of the solution gas as the pressure drops below the
bubble-point pressure.
The only unknown in a volumetric saturated-oil reservoir is the initial oil in
place N.
Assuming that the water and rock expansion term Ef,w is negligible in
comparison with the expansion of solution gas, Equation F = N [Eo + m Eg +
Ef,w] +We can be simplified as:
F = N Eo (9)
where the underground withdrawal F and the oil expansion Eo were defined
previously by Equations to give:
F = Np [Bt + (Rp − Rsi) Bg] +Wp Bw
Eo = Bt − Bti
 Material Balance Equation
Case 2: Volumetric Saturated-Oil Reservoirs.
Equation 9 indicates that a plot of the underground withdrawal F,
evaluated by using the actual reservoir production data, as a function
of the fluid expansion term Eo, should result in a straight line going
through the origin with a slope of N.
In saturated oil reservoirs, as the reservoir pressure drops below the
bubble point pressure, some volume of the liberated gas will remain in
the reservoir as a free gas.
This volume, expressed in scf, is given as:
Volume of the free gas in scf = N Ri-(N- Np)Rs − NpRp
Total volume of liberated gas at any depletion pressure is given
 Material Balance Equation
Case 2: Volumetric Saturated-Oil Reservoirs.
Therefore, the fraction of the total solution gas that has been retained
in the reservoir as a free gas, αg, at any depletion stage is then given
by:

It can also be expressed as fraction of the total initial gas in solution

by:
 Material Balance Equation
Case 2: Volumetric Saturated-Oil Reservoirs.
If we consider a volumetric saturated-oil reservoir that contains N
stock-tank barrels of oil at the initial reservoir pressure pi (i.e., pb), the
initial oil saturation at the bubble point pressure is given by:
Soi = 1 −Swi
From the definition of oil saturation:
 Material Balance Equation
Case 2: Volumetric Saturated-Oil Reservoirs.
If the reservoir has produced Np stock-tank barrels of oil, the
remaining oil volume is given by:
Remaining oil volume = (N – Np) Bo
This indicates that for a volumetric-type oil reservoir; the oil saturation
at any depletion state below the bubble point pressure can be
represented by:
 Material Balance Equation
Case 2: Volumetric Saturated-Oil Reservoirs.
As the solution gas evolves from the oil with declining reservoir
pressure, the gas saturation (assuming constant water saturation, Swi)
is simply given as
Sg = 1−Swi −So
 Material Balance Equation
Case 3: Gas cap Drive Reservoirs.
For a reservoir in which the expansion of the gas-cap gas is the predominant
driving mechanism and assuming that the natural water influx is negligible
(We = 0), the effect of water and pore compressibility can be considered
negligible.
Under these conditions, the material balance can be expressed as:
F = N [Eo + m Eg] (11-39) (10)
where Eg is defined by Equation 10 as:
Eg = Boi [(Bg/Bgi) − 1]
The way in which Equation 10 can be used depends on the number of
unknowns in the equation.
There are three possible unknowns in Equation 10:
• N is unknown, m is known
• m is unknown, N is known
• N and m are unknown
 Material Balance Equation
Case 3: Gas cap Drive Reservoirs.
These unknown can be determines as:
a. Unknown N, known m:
Equation 10 indicates that a plot of F versus (Eo + m Eg) on a
Cartesian scale would produce a straight line through the origin
with a slope of N.
In making the plot, the underground withdrawal F can be
calculated at various times as a function of the production terms
Np and Rp.
Conclusion: N = Slope
 Material Balance Equation
Case 3: Gas cap Drive Reservoirs.
b. Unknown m, known N:
Equation 10 can be rearranged as an equation of straight line, to
give:

The above relationship shows that a plot of the term (F/N − Eo)
versus Eg would produce a straight line with a slope of m.
One advantage of this particular arrangement is that the straight
line must pass through the origin which, therefore, acts as a
control point
Conclusion: m = Slope
 Material Balance Equation
Case 3: Gas cap Drive Reservoirs.
c. N and m are Unknown
If there is uncertainty in both the values of N and m, Equation 10 can
be re-expressed as:

A plot of F/Eo versus Eg/Eo should then be linear with intercept N and
slope mN.
Conclusions: N = intercept
mN = slope
m = slope/intercept
 Material Balance Equation
Case 4: Water Drive Reservoirs.
An accurate description of the aquifer, future reservoir performance and
management is most important.
The full MBE can be expressed again as:
F = N (Eo + m Eg + Ef,w) +We
Dake (1978) points out that the term Ef,w can frequently be neglected in
water-drive reservoirs.
This is not only for the usual reason that the water and pore
compressibility are small, but also because a water influx helps to
maintain the reservoir pressure and, therefore, the Δp appearing in the
Ef,w term is reduced, or
F = N (Eo + m Eg) +We (11)
If, in addition, the reservoir has no initial gas cap, then Equation 11 can
be further reduced to:
F = N Eo +We
Thank You
Material Balance

Example: calculate the stock tank barrels of oil initially in place in a combination
drive reservoir
Given:
Volume of bulk oil zone = 112000 ac-ft
Volume of bulk gas zone = 19600 ac-ft
Initial reservoir pressure = 2710 psia
Initial FVF of oil = 1.340 bbl/STB
Initial gas volume factor = 0.006266 ft3 /STB
Initial dissolved GOR = 562 SCF/STB
Oil produced during the interval = 20 MM STB
Reservoir pressure at the end of the interval = 2000 psia
Average produced GOR = 700 SCF/STB
Two phase FVF at 2000 psia = 1.4954 bbl/STB
Volume of water encroached = 11.58 MM bbl
Volume of water produced = 1.05 MM STB
FVF of water = 1.028 bbl/STB
Gas Volume Factor at 2000 psia = 0.008479 ft3 /STB
Solution:
Gas Volume Factor at 2000 psia 0.008479
Material Balance

Example: calculate the stock tank barrels of oil initialy in place in a

combination drive reservoir
Given:
Volume of bulk oil zone = 112000 ac-ft
Volume of bulk gas zone = 19600 ac-ft