Reservoir EngineeringWaterflooding and EOR
Myhill-Stegemeier Thermal Dimensionless Time Formula
Myhill-Stegemeier Thermal Dimensionless Time calculates dimensionless time for waterflooding and eor workflows in reservoir engineering.
How engineers use this formula
Use this formula when the listed inputs (M_s, M_R, alpha_s, h_t, t) 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, t_D equals 0.037376 dimensionless.
M_sBTU/ft^3-K
28
M_RBTU/ft^3-K
35
alpha_sft^2/day
0.1
h_tft
50
tday
365
Inputs
M_s
BTU/ft^3-KVolumetric Heat Capacity of Steam
M_R
BTU/ft^3-KVolumetric Heat Capacity of the Reservoir
alpha_s
ft^2/dayOverburden Heat Transfer Coefficient
h_t
ftColumn Thickness
t
dayTime
Outputs
t_D
dimensionless
Dimensionless Time
t
day
Time
alpha_s
ft^2/day
Overburden Heat Transfer Coefficient
h_t
ft
Column Thickness
Source and review
reviewedThermal Recovery, Prats, M. (1986)
Prats, M. 1986. Thermal Recovery. Society of Petroleum Engineers, New York, Chapter 5, Page 44.
Source