An Approximate Method for Transient Radial Flow
Authors: Rowan G. , Clegg M.W. 
Published: December 2007

The basic equations for the flow of gases, compressible liquids and incompressible liquids are derived and the full implications of linearising then discussed. Approximate solutions of these equations are obtained by introducing the concept of a disturbed zone around the well, which expands outwards into the reservoir as fluid is produced. Many important and well-established results are deduced in terms of simple functions rather than the infinite series, or numerical solutions normally associated with these problems. The wide range of application of this approach to transient radial flow problems is illustrated with many examples including; gravity drainage of depletion-type reservoirs; multiple well systems; well interference.

Introduction

A large number of problems concerning the flow of fluids in oil reservoirs have been solved by both analytical and numerical methods but in almost all cases these solutions have some disadvantages - the analytical ones usually involve rather complex functions (infinite series or infinite integrals) which are difficult to handle, and the numerical ones tend to mask the physical principles underlying the problem. It would seem appropriate, therefore, to try to find approximate analytical solutions to these problems without introducing any further appreciable errors, so that the physical nature of the problem is retained and solutions of comparable accuracy are obtained. One class of problems will be considered in this paper, namely, transient radial flow problems, and it will be shown that approximate analytical solutions of the equations governing radial flow can be obtained, and that these solutions yield comparable results to those calculated numerically and those obtained from "exact" solutions. It will also be shown that the restrictions imposed upon the dependent variable (pressure) are just those which have to be assumed in deriving the usual diffusion-type equations. The method was originally suggested by Guseinov, whopostulated a disturbed zone in the reservoir, the radius of which increases with time, andreplaced the time derivatives in the basic differential equation by its mean value in the disturbed zone.

In this paper it is proposed to review the basic theory leading to the equations governing the flow of homogeneous fluids in porous media and to consider the full implications of the approximation introduced in linearising them. The Guseinov-type approximation will then be applied to these equations and the solutions for the flow of compressible and incompressible fluids, and gases in bounded and infinite reservoirs obtained. As an example of the application of this type of approximation, solutions to such problems as production from stratified reservoirs, radial permeability discontinuities; multiple-well systems, and well interference will be given. These solutions agree with many other published results, and in some cases they may be extended to more complex problems without the computational difficulties experienced by other authors.

THEORY

In order to review the basic theory from a fairly general standpoint it is proposed to limit the idealising assumptions to the minimum necessary for analytical convenience. The assumptions to be made are the following:That the flow is irrotational.That the formation is of constant thickness.Darcy's Law is valid.The formation is saturated with a single homogeneous fluid.

SPEJ

P. 225^