Sobocinski Cornelius Vertical Well Breakthrough Dimensionless Time Formula
Sobocinski Cornelius Vertical Well Breakthrough Dimensionless Time calculates dimensionless breakthrough time for well performance workflows in reservoir engineering.
How engineers use this formula
Use this formula when the listed inputs (rho_w, rho_o, k_h, k_v, M, alpha, t, mu_o, phi, h) are known and the assumptions behind the cited well performance 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 0.046528 dimensionless.
1
0.85
100
10
2
0.6
180
2
0.2
50
Inputs
rho_w
g/ccWater Density
rho_o
g/ccOil Density
k_h
mDHorizontal Permeability
k_v
mDVertical Permeability
M
fractionWater-Oil Mobility Ratio
alpha
dimensionlessMobility-Ratio Exponent
t
daysBreakthrough Time
mu_o
cPOil Viscosity
phi
fractionPorosity
h
ftOil Column Thickness
Outputs
t_D
Dimensionless Breakthrough Time
t
Breakthrough Time
phi
Porosity
k_v
Vertical Permeability
Source and review
reviewedSobocinski, D.P. and Cornelius, A.J. 1965. A Correlation for Predicting Water Coning Time. SPE ATCE, Houston, Texas.
Source