PetroCalcHubFree
Reservoir EngineeringPressure Transient Analysis

Carter Dimensionless Drawdown Correlating Parameter Formula

λ=μgicgiμgavgcgavg\lambda=\frac{\mu_{gi}c_{gi}}{\mu_{gavg}c_{gavg}}

Carter Dimensionless Drawdown Correlating Parameter calculates carter dimensionless drawdown correlating parameter for pressure transient analysis workflows in reservoir engineering.

Calculate

How engineers use this formula

Use this formula when the listed inputs (mu_gi, c_gi, mu_gavg, c_gavg) are known and the assumptions behind the cited pressure transient analysis 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, lambda_C equals 1.066667 dimensionless.

mu_gicP

0.02

c_gi1/psi

0.0004

mu_gavgcP

0.025

c_gavg1/psi

0.0003

Inputs

mu_gi

cP

Initial Gas Viscosity

c_gi

1/psi

Initial Gas Compressibility

mu_gavg

cP

Average Gas Viscosity

c_gavg

1/psi

Average Gas Compressibility

Outputs

lambda_C

dimensionless

Carter Dimensionless Drawdown Correlating Parameter

mu_gi

cP

Initial Gas Viscosity

c_gi

1/psi

Initial Gas Compressibility

mu_gavg

cP

Average Gas Viscosity

c_gavg

1/psi

Average Gas Compressibility

Source and review

reviewed

Ahmed, T. and McKinney, P. D. Advanced Reservoir Engineering, Gulf Publishing of Elsevier, Chapter 3, Page 256.

Source

Related formulas and calculators

Average Permeability for Linear Flow in Layered Beds
Permeability
Average Permeability for Linear Flow - Series Beds
Permeability
Average Permeability for Parallel-Layered Systems
Permeability
Average Permeability in Radial Systems
Permeability
Klinkenberg Apparent Gas Permeability
Permeability
Jones-Owens Klinkenberg Slip Factor
Permeability