Volumetric Heat Capacity of a Reservoir Formula
Volumetric Heat Capacity of a Reservoir calculates volumetric heat capacity of reservoir for thermal gradients workflows in reservoir engineering.
How engineers use this formula
Use this formula when the listed inputs (M_s, phi, S_o, M_o, S_w, M_w, S_g, f_g, M_g, rho_s, C_w, Delta_T, L_v) are known and the assumptions behind the cited thermal gradients 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, M_r equals 38.2115 BTU/(ft3*deg F).
35
0.25
0.6
45
0.3
62
0.1
0.2
1
2.65
1
100
950
Inputs
M_s
BTU/(ft3*deg F)Volumetric Heat Capacity of Rock Solids
phi
fractionPorosity
S_o
fractionOil Saturation
M_o
BTU/(ft3*deg F)Volumetric Heat Capacity of Oil
S_w
fractionWater Saturation
M_w
BTU/(ft3*deg F)Volumetric Heat Capacity of Water
S_g
fractionGas Saturation
f_g
fractionFraction of Non-Condensable Gas
M_g
BTU/(ft3*deg F)Volumetric Heat Capacity of Non-Condensable Gas
rho_s
lbm/ft3Source Density Term Used in the Condensable-Gas Heat Capacity Contribution
C_w
BTU/(lbm*deg F)Isobaric Specific Heat of Water
Delta_T
deg FTemperature Differential
L_v
BTU/lbmLatent Heat of Vaporization
Outputs
M_r
Volumetric Heat Capacity of Reservoir
M_s
Volumetric Heat Capacity of Rock Solids
Source and review
reviewedThermal Recovery, Prats, M. (1986)
Prats, M. 1986. Thermal Recovery, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Chapter 12, Page 164.