Steam-Zone Growth Increment from Heat Capacity Formula
Steam-Zone Growth Increment from Heat Capacity calculates steam-zone growth increment for waterflooding and eor workflows in reservoir engineering.
How engineers use this formula
Use this formula when the listed inputs (M_s_alpha_sqrt, C_w, T, L_v, dt, M_Rse) 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, dz_s equals 2.378832 ft.
35
1
300
900
10
35
Inputs
M_s_alpha_sqrt
BTU/ft^2-F-day^0.5Adjacent Formation Heat-Capacity-Diffusivity Term
C_w
BTU/lbm-FSpecific Heat of Water
T
FTemperature Differential
L_v
BTU/lbmLatent Heat of Vaporization
dt
dayTime Differential
M_Rse
BTU/ft^3-FEffective Volumetric Heat Capacity of Steam Zone
Outputs
dz_s
Steam-Zone Growth Increment
M_s_alpha_sqrt
Adjacent Formation Heat-Capacity-Diffusivity Term
C_w
Specific Heat of Water
T
Temperature Differential
L_v
Latent Heat of Vaporization
M_Rse
Effective Volumetric Heat Capacity of Steam Zone
dt
Time Differential
Source and review
reviewedThermal Recovery, Prats, M. (1986)
Prats, M. 1986. Thermal Recovery. Society of Petroleum Engineers, New York, Chapter 7, Page 80.