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Radial Flow Diffusivity Equation

This document describes the radial flow diffusivity equation used to model single-phase, radial flow in a homogeneous, isotropic reservoir with constant properties. It defines key assumptions around reservoir characteristics, fluid properties, and flow behavior. It then presents the general radial flow diffusivity equation and defines related terms like hydraulic diffusivity and transmissibility. It also discusses using the equation to model well productivity factors like skin and how these can indicate damage or enhancements near the wellbore.

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David Ahoua
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526 views

Radial Flow Diffusivity Equation

This document describes the radial flow diffusivity equation used to model single-phase, radial flow in a homogeneous, isotropic reservoir with constant properties. It defines key assumptions around reservoir characteristics, fluid properties, and flow behavior. It then presents the general radial flow diffusivity equation and defines related terms like hydraulic diffusivity and transmissibility. It also discusses using the equation to model well productivity factors like skin and how these can indicate damage or enhancements near the wellbore.

Uploaded by

David Ahoua
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as ODT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Radial flow diffusivity equation

Basic assumptions:
reservoir
=> homogeneous
=> isotropic
=> horizontal of uniform thickness
=> permeability k = const
=> rock compressibility c = const
fluid
=> slightly compressible
=> viscosity = const
=> density = const
flow
=> single-phase
=> laminar
=> radial-symmetric flow geometry around the well
=> Darcy law applies
=> no gravity effects

Radial-symmetric flow geometry around the well:


cylindric coordinate system
linear wellbore (pressure drop)
infinite horizontal extent
limited vertical extent

Average reservoir pressure:


volume weighted average throughout the entire reservoir volume
radial-symmetric flow geometry around the well

Radial flow diffusivity equation (general solution):

Hydraulic diffusivity:

Hydraulic transmissibility:

Radial flow diffusivity equation (constant terminal rate solution):

Dimensionless pressure:

Radial flow diffusivity equation ( approximate solution):


=> dimensionless solution:

=> dimensioned solution:

skin
=> near wellbore region which has (hydraulic) properties, especially the permeability k, that
are different from those in the reservoir
skin factor s
=> numerical value used to analytically model the difference from the pressure drop
predicted by Darcy law due to skin
=> dimensionless factor calculated to determine the production efficiency of a well by
comparing actual conditions with theoretical or ideal conditions
s>0
=> indicates some damage or influences impairing well productivity
=> reasons
=> drilling mud plugging the perforations
=> clay damaged by fresh water
=> fines migration
=> scale / salt deposits
=> heavy crude deposits
=> asphaltene deposits
=> wax deposits
s=0
=> no damage
s<0
=> indicates enhanced well productivity
=> reasons
=> stimulation
=> natural fractures
=> hydraulic fracturing
=> matrix acidization
=> well slant
additional pressure drop caused by near wellbore damage
(according to Hurst and van Everdingen):

well performance (steady state and radial flow, slightly compressible fluid):

effective wellbore radius

Transient flow (non-steady state flow):


pressure and velocity decrease with time
occurs at an early state of production

Semi-steady state flow (pseudo-steady state flow):


the outer boundary of the well is a non-flow boundary
no flow takes place across the boundary
the pressure distribution in the near-wellbore region is almost steady state at any time
the pressure in the near-wellbore region decreases at a constant rate
occurs at the end of the late transient flow
pressure decline rate

Steady state flow:


open boundary with a constant pressure pe
open finite reservoir
fluid influx across the boundary compensates the withdrawn fluid
well is flowing at a constant rate
occurs at an advanced state of production
aquifer drive, gas cap drive, pressure maintenance operations (water injection)

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