Steam-Heated Area Growth - Marx and Langenheim Formula
Steam-Heated Area Growth - Marx and Langenheim calculates steam-heated area growth rate for waterflooding and eor workflows in reservoir engineering.
How engineers use this formula
Use this formula when the listed inputs (Q_i, t_D, E_t, Delta_T, M_r, h) 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_s equals 0.044033 acre/d.
1000000000
0.4
0.45
250
35
40
Inputs
Q_i
BTU/dHeat Injection Rate
t_D
dimensionlessDimensionless Time
E_t
dimensionlessError-Function Heat-Loss Term
Delta_T
degFSteam-Zone Temperature Difference
M_r
BTU/ft^3/degFReservoir Volumetric Heat Capacity
h
ftSteam-Zone Height
Outputs
A_s
Steam-Heated Area Growth Rate
Q_i
Heat Injection Rate
t_D
Dimensionless Time
E_t
Error-Function Heat-Loss Term
Source and review
reviewedThermal Recovery, Prats, M. (1986)
Prats, M. 1986. Thermal Recovery. Society of Petroleum Engineers, Page 61.