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Reservoir EngineeringWell Performance

Sobocinski Cornelius Vertical Well Cone Height Ratio Formula

Z=0.00307(ρwρo)khhhtμoqoBoZ=\frac{0.00307(\rho_w-\rho_o)k_hhh_t}{\mu_oq_oB_o}

Sobocinski Cornelius Vertical Well Cone Height Ratio calculates dimensionless cone height ratio for well performance workflows in reservoir engineering.

Calculate

How engineers use this formula

Use this formula when the listed inputs (rho_w, rho_o, k_h, h, h_t, mu_o, q_o, B_o) 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, Z equals 0.019188 dimensionless.

rho_wg/cc

1

rho_og/cc

0.85

k_hmD

100

hft

50

h_tft

10

mu_ocP

2

q_oSTB/day

500

B_oRB/STB

1.2

Inputs

rho_w

g/cc

Water Density

rho_o

g/cc

Oil Density

k_h

mD

Horizontal Permeability

h

ft

Oil Column Thickness

h_t

ft

Height of Water Cone Apex above Average Water-Oil Contact

mu_o

cP

Oil Viscosity

q_o

STB/day

Oil Production Rate

B_o

RB/STB

Oil Formation Volume Factor

Outputs

Z

dimensionless

Dimensionless Cone Height Ratio

h_t

ft

Height of Water Cone Apex above Average Water-Oil Contact

q_o

STB/day

Oil Production Rate

k_h

mD

Horizontal Permeability

Source and review

reviewed

Sobocinski, D.P. and Cornelius, A.J. 1965. A Correlation for Predicting Water Coning Time. SPE ATCE, Houston, Texas.

Source

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