Areal Extent of Heated Zone in Thermal Recovery Formula
Areal Extent of Heated Zone in Thermal Recovery calculates areal extent of heated zone for waterflooding and eor workflows in reservoir engineering.
How engineers use this formula
Use this formula when the listed inputs (Q_i, h, M_r, G, Delta_T, alpha_s, M_s) are known and the assumptions behind the cited waterflooding and eor relationship match the engineering case being checked.
Assumptions
- Input values are representative for the well, reservoir, fluid, or equipment case being evaluated.
- The declared units match the field-unit constants used in the formula.
- The cited formula applies to the selected petroleum engineering workflow.
Limitations
- The calculation does not replace a full engineering model or operating procedure.
- Accuracy depends on the source correlation, assumptions, input quality, and unit consistency.
Common mistakes
- Mixing unit systems without converting the inputs.
- Using default example values as field recommendations.
- Applying the formula outside the source assumptions.
Default example
Using the default inputs, A_hz equals 1,205.23416 acre.
1000000000
50
35
1.2
200
0.5
10
Inputs
Q_i
BTUInjected Heat
h
ftReservoir Height
M_r
BTU/ft^3/FReservoir Volumetric Heat Capacity
G
dimensionlessDimensionless Time Function
Delta_T
FTemperature Difference
alpha_s
ft^2/daySteam-Zone Thermal Diffusivity
M_s
BTU/ft^3/FSteam Volumetric Heat Capacity
Outputs
A_hz
Areal Extent of Heated Zone
Q_i
Injected Heat
h
Reservoir Height
M_r
Reservoir Volumetric Heat Capacity
G
Dimensionless Time Function
Delta_T
Temperature Difference
alpha_s
Steam-Zone Thermal Diffusivity
M_s
Steam Volumetric Heat Capacity
Source and review
reviewedPrats, M. Thermal Recovery, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Chapter 5, Page 44.
Source