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Interpretation of Well-Block Pressures in

Numerical Reservoir Simulation With Nonsquare


Grid Blocks and Anisotropic Penneability
Donald W. Peaceman, SPE. Exxon Production Research Co.

Abstract
Previous work on the interpretation of well-block pressure for the actual well is equal to the numerically
pressure (WBP) for a single isolated well is extended to calculated pressure for the well block. This definition for
the case of nonsquare grid blocks (Ll..x::t.:ly). Numerical r 0 gives
solutions for the single-phase five-spot problem, involv-
ing various grid sizes, show that the effective well-block qp,
Pv.f-Po = - - I n - .
'w . .................... (1)
radius (where the actual flowing pressure equals the 21fkh r 0
numerically calculated WBP) is given by
For a square grid (&=Lly), careful numerical ex-
r 0 =0.14 (Ll..x2 + .:1y2) Ih .
periments on a five-spot pattern 1 showed that the ratio of
This relationship is verified by a mathematical derivation
'0 to ax ranges from 0.1936 (for a 3x3 grid) to a limit
for a single well in an infinite grid. The exact value of
the constant is shown to be e -1'/4, where 'Y is Euler's . ro
hm - :;;;:0.1982. . ........................ (2)
constant. N-+oo .:1x
Finally, the analysis is extended to include anisotropic
permeability, and an expression for the effective weU-
It was also shown that the pressures in the blocks adja-
block radius in terms of .:1x, .:ly, k x , and ky is derived.
cent to a well block approximately satisfy the steady-
Introduction state radial flow equation
In the modeling of a reservoir by numerical methods, it
is necessary to use grid blocks whose horizontal dimen-
sions are much larger than the diameter of a well. As a
result, the pressure calculated for a block containing a
well, Po, is greatly different from the flowing bot-
By assuming that Eq. 3 is satisfied exactly, one can
tomhole pressure (BHP) of the well, Pwf. In a previous
derive the relation
paper, I the equivalent radius of a well block, r 0' was
defined as that radius at which the steady-state flowing
01977520/83100610528$00.25
'0
-=exp(-1ff2)=0.208 . ................... (4)
Copyright 1963 Society 01 Petroleum Engineers of AIME ax
JUNE 1983 531
Thus, for a square grid, we have the rule of thumb Combining Eqs. 10 through 12 yields

r 0 =0.2 Jix. . ............................. (5) ily Jix Jix ily


-In-+-In-=7r, .................. (13)
In this paper, we investigate the effects of a nonsquare Jix ro ily ro
*
grid (Jix ily), as well as anisotropic permeability
(k x *ky), on the equivalent well-block radius. or
Nonsquare Grid
r0 In ex-7rex
In the literature 24 several equations are given for -=exp ....................... (14)
relating WBP to the BHP of the well. These may all be Jix 1 +ex 2
put in the form
Whether Eq. 8, Eq. 14, or some other equation correctly
expresses the effect of the aspect ratio can be determined
qp. [ In
Pwj-Po=-- rw +B] .......... (6) only by numerical experiments.
27rkh A(Jixily) 'h
Numerical Calculation of Equivalent Radius
This equation has been derived from the assumption that for Various Aspect Ratios
the WBP is an areal average pressure in a circle whose
area equals that of the well block. 5 Comparison of Eq. 6 Calculations very similar to those previously performed
with Eq. 1 leads to the conclusion that r 0 should satisfy on a square grid I were carried out. The repeated five-
the relation spot pattern was solved for various aspect ratios, using
different grid refinements. Fig. 2 shows a typical grid,
r 0 = C(Jixily) 'h. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (7) for the case M = 10, and N = 5. Details of the
numerical calculation are given in Appendix A.
Since Eq. 7 should reduce to Eq. 5 for a square grid, we To calculate the equivalent well-block radius, we use
can write it as Muskat's equation for the pressure drop between injec-
tion and producing wells in a repeated five-spot pattern, 7
rOIl:
-=0.2a 2, (8)
Jix
ilp=:=. qp. [In(dlrw)-B], ................... (15)
where ex is the aspect ratio, defined by 7rkh

ily where
ex=- . ................................. (9)
Jix
B=0.61738575 . .......................... (16)
While the assumption that the WBP equals an areal
Note that Muskat reported that B=0.6190. His deriva-
average pressure has been shown to be false, I Eq. 7 has
tion of Eq. 15 includes an infinite series, which he ig-
continued to be used, in the absence of evidence to the
nored, considering it negligible. If he had included only
contrary.
the first term, he would have obtained B = 0.617315.
Four or more terms give the value shown in Eq. 16, cor-
An Analytic Derivation
rect to eight digits. Use of the more accurate value of B
Another approach to determine the effect of the aspect in this study accounts for the slight difference (in the
ratio, ily/ Jix, on r 0 is to make the same assumption that fourth significant digit) in the values of ro calculated for
led to Eq. 4. This assumption is that the pressures a square grid compared with those reported previously. I
calculated for the blocks adjacent to the well block If we take !l.p to be the difference in pressure between
satisfy Eq. 3 1,6, so that (see Fig. 1) the injection and production well blocks, then r w of Eq.
15 should be replaced by r o' Further, we have
qp.
PI -PO=P3 -po=--ln(Jix/ro)' .......... (10)
27rkh
and Then Eq. 15 may be rewritten as
qp.
P2 -Po =P4 -Po = --In(ily/r 0)' .......... (11)
27rkh

The difference equation for the steady-state pressure


distribution, written for Block 0, is or
khily khJix
--(P3 -2po +PI)+--(P2 -2PO+P4)=q
p.Jix p.ily
....................... (12)

532 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS JOURNAL


TABLE 1-NUMERICAL CALCULATION OF PRESSURE DROP .0
FOR REPEATED FIVE-SPOT PATTERN AND OF THE
WELL-BLOCK EQUIVALENT RADIUS

Ci M N (kh/qp.)( P M,N - P 0,0) ro/fiX


1 2 2 0,666667 0,187860 0.187860
1 4 4 0.873950 0.195908 0.195908
1
1
8
16
8
16
1.091433
1.311287
0.197858
0.198344
0.197858
0.198344
_J.x_ ,
1 32 32 1.531727 0.198466 0.198466 Fig. 1-Block 0, containing a well, and its four neighboring
2 4 2 0.734921 0,303207 0.151604 blocks.
2 8 4 0.947192 0.311280 0.155640
2 16 8 1.165846 0.313224 0.156612
2 32 16 1.385992 0.313706 0.156853
2 64 32 1.606506 0.313826 0.156913
4 8 2 0.759306 0.561693 0.140423
4 16 4 0.972676 0.574661 0.143665
4 32 8 1.191615 0.577732 0.144433
4 64 16 1.411834 0.578489 0.144622 6
4 128 32 1.632366 0.578676 0.144669
8
8
16
32
2
4
0.766128
0.979763
1.099566
1.124016
0.137446
0.140502 5 r 1-- .- .- ....
I
8 64 8 1.198772 1.129773 0.141222
8 128 16 1.419009 1.131189 0.141399 I
8 256 32 1.639545 1.131542 0.141443 4 I
I
16 32 2 0.767886 2.187021 0.136689
I
16 64 4 0.981586 2.235192 0.139700 I
16 128 8 1.200613 2.246517 0.140407 3 I
1.420855 2.249301 0.140581 I
16 256 16 I
16 512 32 1.641392 2.249994 0.140625 I
2 I
32 64 2 0.768328 4.367962 0.136499 I
32 128 4 0.982046 4.463939 0.139498
I
32 256 8 1.201077 4.486497 0.140203 I
32 512 16 1.421319 4.492043 0.140376 I /

32 1,024 32 1.641857 4.493416 0.140419 I


I
I
64 128 2 0.768439 8.732872 0.136451 o 0 1-- ._. 1-- ._. -
64 256 4 0.982161 8.924652 0.139448
64 512 8 1.201193 8.969717 0.140152
64 1,024 16 1.421435 8.980804 0.140325
128 256 2 0.768467 17.464233 0.136439
128 512 4 0.982189 17.847687 0.139435
128 1,024 8 1.201221 17.937820 0.140139
128 2,048 16 1.421465 17.959930 0.140312 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1011
256 512 2 0.768474 34.927704 0.136436
256 1,024 4 0.982197 35.694595 0.139432
256 2,048 8 1.201229 35.874802 0.140136 Fig. 2-Computing grid for repeated five-spot; M = 10, N =5.

Similarly, an order of 11M2. From this assumption, one can ex-


tmpolate the last two entries (for each aspect mtio) to in-
finite M and N by the equations
!:..!!...=.fiN exp [-B- 1I"kh (PM,N-PO,O)]' ... (18)
~y qp.

Calculations for grids with aspect mtios ranging from and


1 to 256 are shown in Table 1. For each aspect mtio, the
smallest grid was N=2, M=2cx.; grids were doubled suc-
cessively in each dimension until the storage required for
solution exceeded the available memory. Col. 4 of this These extmpolated values are listed in Cols. 2 and 3 of
table lists the dimensionless pressure drop, (kh/qp.) Table 2 for each aspect mtio .
. (p M,N - P 0,0)' obtained in the numerical calculation for For cx.=1 (i.e., for a square grid), we have
each grid; Cols. 5 and 6 list the values of r 0 / ~ and
ro/~Y, respectively, calculated by using Eqs. 17 and 18. ro=0.198506~, ..... , .... , .... , ........ (19)
For each aspect mtio, examination of r 01 ~ and r 01 ~Y
shows that they appear to be converging to a limit with which is essentially the same as Eq. 2-which was ob-
JUNE 1983 533
1.2 3

1.0
exp

0.8 2

0.6 TABLE 2-EXTRAPOLATED VALUES OF r o/Ax AND r o/Ay,


AND CERTAIN DERIVED QUANTITIES AS A
FUNCTION OF ASPECT RATIO
0.4

0.2

o ___ --L_.---L~ __ __J_


"'1

-- ~I
.2

"II", .", '::J


.2 'I,
1
2
4
8
16
'a lAX
0.198506
0.313866
0.578739
1.131660
2.250225
'olAY
0.198506
0.156933
0.144685
0.141457
0.140639
, o/(AxAY) 'I,
0.198506
0.221936
0.289369
0.400102
0.562556
, o/(Ax2 + Ay2) 'I>
0.140365
0.140365
0.140365
0.140365
0.140365
1 2 4 8 16 32 64 128 256 32 4.493874 0.140434 0.794412 0.140365
Aspect Ratio. " '::'yl'::'x
64 8.984497 0.140383 1.123062 0.140366
128 17.967300 0.140369 1.588099 0.140365
Fig. 3-Effect of aspect ratio on equivalent well-block radius. 256 35.934860 0.140371 2.245929 0.140369

tained previously I-but with a more accurate value for The constant in Eq. 20 differs from that in Eq. 19 by the
the constant because of the use of the correct value for B factor 1I.fi. The rule of thumb, Eq. 5, should now be
in Eq. 15. replaced by the more general rule of thumb
r 0 =0. 14(t::.x2 +!:i.y2) '/2. . ............ (21)
Effect of the Aspect Ratio
We first attempt to interpret these numerical results for Mathematical Derivation of Eq. 20
r 0 I t::.x and r 0 I!:i.y in terms of prior assumptions about It cannot be fortuitous that Eq. 20 is valid over such a
WBP's. As discussed previously, the assumption that the large range of the aspect ratio !:i.yl t::.x. Although this
WBP is an areal average pressure over a circle with the equation was obtained solely from the numerical calcula-
same area as that of the well block leads to the conclu- tions, it suggests the possibility of deriving it
sion that the equivalent radius is proportional to the mathematically. This has been done by deriving the
geometric mean of t::.x and !:i.y (Eq. 7). To test this con- pressure distribution for an infinite grid, as described in
clusion, the ratio r o/(t::.x!:i.y) 'Iz (which is equal to the Appendix B. The constant of Eq. 20 is shown to be equal
geometric mean of r 01 t::.x and r 01 !:i.y) is listed in Col. 4 of to e --y 14, where ,),=0.5772157 is Euler's constant.
Table 2 and is plotted in Fig. 3. It can be seen that Eq. 7
is far from valid. Anisotropic Permeability
Next, we test the assumption that the pressures In discussing flow through an anisotropic medium, we
calculated for the blocks adjacent to the well block assume that the principal axes of the permeability tensor
satisfy the radial flow equation. This assumption is are parallel to the x and y axes. Then the differential
tested by dividing the value for r 0 I t::.x listed in Table 2 equation for steady-state pressure is
by the value of r olt::.x calculated from Eq. 14, then plot-
ting the quotient as a function of a, again in Fig. 3. The a2p a2p
failure of this ratio to be constant for a outside the range kx ax 2 +ky ax 2 =0, ...................... (22)
0.5 to 2 shows that Eq. 14 is not valid either.
The clue to finding the effect of a on r 0 lies in the fact
that r ol!:i.y approaches a constant for large a. It can easi- with the boundary condition
ly be seen that r 01 t::.x and r ol!:i.y are interchanged in
value when a is replaced by Va. It follows, then, that P=Pwf at r=(x 2 +y2) v, =r w' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (23)

r 0 I t::.x approaches the same constant as a -+ O. Thus, we


seek a length quantity that approaches t::.x for small By making the change of variables
!:i.yl t::.x and that approaches !:i.y for small t::.xl!:i.y. Such a
quantity is the diagonal of the grid blocks (t::.x 2 + !:i.y2) 'I, u=(kylkx) ',4 x ........................... (24a)
The last column of Table 2 shows the ratio of r 0 to this
diagonal for each value of a. The constancy ofthis ratio and
for such a wide range of aspect ratios is truly startling.
This ratio also is plotted in Fig. 3, where it appears, of v=(kxlky) 'A y, .......................... (24b)
course, as a horizontal line.
We conclude, therefore, that the well-block radius we can transform Eq. 22 into Laplace's equation
satisfies the equation
a2p a2p
au 2 + av 2 =0, .......................... (25)
r 0 =0. 140365(t::.x 2 +!:i.y2) 'Iz (20)

534 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS JOURNAL


with the boundary condition But we also have, from Eq. 27,

Because the boundary condition is specified on an ellipse


rather than a circle, the solution to Eq. 25 in the u-v
plane is not radial; rather, the isobars are a family of con- so that
centric ellipses. The exact solution to this problem is
given in Appendix C. Because r w is small relative to the
size of the reservoir, the ellipse of Eq. 26 is correspond-
ingly small. In Appendix C it is shown that, as a prac- Substitution of Eqs. 24, 29, and 30 gives the final result,
tical matter, the isobars in the u-v plane are essentially
circular and that the pressure essentially satisfies the r =0.28 [(kylkx)Y,ax2+(kxlky)~.:ly2] Vi
equation ... (31)
o (kylkx) 'A +(kxlky) 'A
............... (27)
Conclusions
1. For numerical reservoir simulations in which either
where square or nonsquare grid blocks are used, the pressure
calculated for a well block is the same as the flowing
r UV =(u 2 +v 2 ) '12 ................. (28) pressure at an equivalent radius, r o. The WBP, Po, is
related to the BHP by
and

Now consider the difference equation for the steady- 2. For any aspect ratio, .:lylax, the equivalent well-
state pressure in an anisotropic medium. Instead of Eq. block radius for an isotropic system is
12, we write

This relation was obtained by careful numerical calcula-


tions as well as by a mathematical derivation based on an
infinite nonsquare grid.
With the change of variables of Eq. 24, this transforms 3. For an anisotropic medium, the equivalent well-
to the difference equation on a grid in the u-v plane: block radius is given by

r =0.28 [(kylk x ) '12 ax 2 + (kxlky) y, .:ly2] y,


o (kylkx) ,;.\ +(kxlky) 'A

Nomenclature
a;
= 1h if i=O or M; unity otherwise
A pq = coefficient in Fourier series
b constant of conformal mapping
Thus, we have differential and difference problems in
bj = 1f2 if j=O or N; unity otherwise
B = constant of Muskat's equation for
the u-v plane that are essentially identical to the isotropic
problem that we have already solved in the x-y plane. pressure drop in a five-spot
Corresponding to Eq. 21 we then have C = constant of integration
d = diagonal distance between injection and
production wells in five-spot
pattern, m
E = relative error
h = reservoir thickness, m
where r~v is the radius of an almost circular isobar in the k = isotropic permeability, m 2
u-v plane that has the same pressure as the well block. kx = permeability in x direction, m 2
To complete the development, we extend the defini- ky permeability in y direction, m 2
tion of the well-block equivalent radius in Eq. 1 to
(2k)!! (2)(4)(6) ... (2k)
(2k+ I)!! = (1)(3)(5) ... (2k+ 1)
qp. M = number of blocks on side of computing
P o -p w1= 27r(k k In(r Ir )
) '12 h O W
x y grid in x direction

JUNE 1983 535


N = number of blocks on side of computing 7. Muskat, M.: The Flow of Homogeneous Fluids Through Porous
grid in y direction Media, McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc., New York City (1937) 587;
reprint edition, J.W. Edwards Inc., Ann Arbor. MI (1946).
P = pressure, Pa 8. Hildebrand, F.B.: Methods of Applied Mathematics, Prentice-Hall
PD = dimensionless pressure=(khlqp,)p Inc., Englewood Cliffs. NJ (1952) 261.
9. Bierens de Haan, D.: Nouvelles Tables d'lmegrales Definies;
Po = simulator well-block pressure, Pa reprint edition, G.E. Stechert & Co., New York City (1939).
Pwj = wellbore pressure, Pa 10. Gradshteyn, LS. and Ryzhik, LM.: Table oflntegrals, Series, and
q = production rate of well, m 3 Is Products, Academic Press, New York City (1965).
r = radius, m 11. Kucuk, F. and Brigham, W.E.: "Transient Flow in Elliptical
Systems," Soc. Pet. Eng. J. (Dec. 1979) 401-10; Trans., AIME,
r0 equivalent radius of well block, m 267.
rw wellbore radius, m
r mean radius of elliptical isobar in u-v APPENDIX A
plane, m Numerical Solution for Repeated
r UV = radius of circle in u-v plane, m Five-Spot Pattern
s = arc length along elliptical isobar in x-y Fig. 2 shows a portion of a repeated five-spot pattern that
plane, m stretches to infinity in all directions. Because of sym-
u transformed distance coordinate in x metry, we need calculate only the quarter five-spot that
direction, m is enclosed within the dashed lines. We divide that area
v = transformed distance coordinate in y into MxN blocks, using half-blocks on the boundaries.
direction, m For all blocks O'!fi'!fM, O'!fj'!fN, the difference equa-
Vn = velocity normal to ellipse in x-y plane,
tion for the steady-state pressure distribution is
mls khAy
= velocity in x direction, mls
Vx
p,Ax (P'+I
~ I
-2p"+p_1
,j Ij I ,j
.)
vy velocity in y direction, mls
ex. = aspect ratio of grid blocks, Ayl Ax
{3 = angle of line normal to ellipse in x-y khAx
plane +-;-(Pi.J+I -2Pij+Pi,J-I) =qij . ..... (A-I)
p,~y
'Y = Euler's constant, 0.5772157 ...
oij = 1 if i,j=O,O; -I if i,j=M,N; zero
We assume production at rate q at the lower left comer
otherwise and injection at rate q at the upper right comer. Thus,
Ax = grid spacing in x direction, m
Ay = grid spacing in y direction, m
o= variable of conformal mapping
p, = viscosity, Pa' s
p variable of conformal mapping
and
Subscripts qij==O for i,j =1= 0,0 or M,N.
grid index in x direction
j grid index in y direction If we define
P = index of Fourier component
q = index of Fourier component P D = (khlqp,)p,

Acknowledgment then Eq. A-I simplifies to


I thank the management of Exxon Production Research
Co. for permission to publish this paper.
ex. [ (PD) i-I,} + (PD) i+I,}] + (1 lex.)

References . [(PD)i,J-I + (PD)i,j+t] (2ex.+21ex.) (PD)ij =oij'


1. Peaceman, D.W.: "Interpretation of Well-Block Pressures in
Numerical Reservoir Simulation," Soc. Pet. Eng. 1. (June 1978) ...................... (A-2)
183-94; Trans., AIME, 253.
2. Coats, K.H., George, W.D., Chu, C., and Marcum, B.E.:
"Three-Dimensional Simulation of Steamflooding," Soc. Pet. where
Eng. 1. (Dec. 1974) 573-92; Trans., AIME, 257.
3. Crichlow, H.B.: Modern Reservoir Engineering-A Simulation
Approach, Prentice-Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ (1977) 277.
oij =~ for i,j =1= 0,0 or M'N]
00 0 -1 . . .............. (A-3)
4. Aziz, K. and Settari, A.: Petroleum Reservoir Simulation, Ap-
plied Science Publishers Ltd., London (1979) 223. OM,N 1
5. van Poollen, H.K., Breitenbach, E.A., and Thurnau, D.H.:
"Treatment of Individual Wells and Grids in Reservoir Model- The following reflection conditions are used.
ing," Soc. Pet. Eng. 1. (Dec. 1968) 341-46; Trans., AIME, 243.
6. Williamson, A.S. and Chappelear, J.E.: "Representing Wells in
Numerical Reservoir Simulation: Part I-Theory," Soc. Pet.
Eng. 1. (June 1981) 323-38.
P-I,)=PI,}
P M+ l.j =p M-I.j
J for O'!fj'!fN, ........ (A-4)

536 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS JOURNAL


and The functions of Eq. B-3 are orthogonal if we choose

Pi,-I =;Pi,1 ] forO:$i:$M . ........... (A-5) a;= 1/2 for i=O,M,


Pi,N+I =Pi,N-I
1 for 1 :$ i :$ M - 1,
Substitution of these reflection conditions yields a
system of (M + 1) x (N + 1) equations. These equations bj=lh. forj=;O,N,
were solved by direct solution in double precision on the
IBM 370. b}*=l for l:$j:$N-l.

APPENDIX B Now, the summand in the right side of Eq. B-4 is zero
Mathematical Derivation except for i,j=O,O or M,N. Thus, the right side is
for Infinite Grid
Finite Fourier Series Representation (1I16)[cos (r7r) cos (S7r) -1]
We seek the solution to the system of Eqs. A-2 through
or
A-5 as the grid size (M and N) becomes infinite, keeping
the ratio MIN=;Ci. constant. Assume a finite Fourier (1116)[( _l)r+s -1].
series solution of the form

M N Interchange the indices p,q with r,s and reorder the sum-
(PD)ij=; 2: 2: Apq cos apxi cos aqYj, .. (B-l) mations of Eq. B-4 to obtain
p=o q=O
M N
with 2: 2: Ars[Ci. sin 2 (r7r/2M)+(1/Ci.) sin 2 (s7r/2N)]
r=O s=O

M
2: a; cos (p7rilM) cos (r7rilM)
i=O
Each p,q component of this solution satisfies the reflec-
tion conditions, Eqs. A-4 and A-5. N
Substitution of Eq. B-1 into the difference equation, 2: bj cos (q7rjIN) cos (s7rj/N)
Eq. A-2, yields j=O

M N
2: 2: Apq cos (p7riIM) cos (q7rjIN) =(1116)[( -1)p+q -1]. . .................. (B-5)
p=O q=o
The one-dimensional sums can be evaluated. For r*,p,

M
...................... (B-2) 2: a; cos (p7rilM) cos (r7rilM)
i=O
where oij is defined by Eq. A-3.
To evaluate Apq, multiply Eq. B-2 by M-I

a; cos (r7rilM) bj* cos (s7rj/N) ............. (B-3)


liz + 2: cos (p7rilM) cos (r7rilM)
i=1

and sum over i and j. + lh. cos (P7r) cos (r7r).


M N M N
2: 2: a;bj cos (r7rilM) cos (s7rjIN) 2: ~ Hildebrand 8 gives the formula (for Ci. *' (3)
i=O }=O p=O q=o
K
'Apq cos (p7riIM) cos (q7rjIN)[Ci. sin 2 (p7r/2M) 2: cos kCi. cos k{3 = 1/2[C k(Ci. +(3) +C k(Ci. -(3)],
k=l

where
M N K K+1
2: 2: a;b j*(oijI4) cos (r7rilM) cos (q7rj/N). sin-I' cos - - 1 '
2 2
i=O }=o
. l'
sm-
...................... (B-4) 2
JUNE 1983 537
Taking a=p7rIM, /3 = r7rIM, K=M-l, we then can and
obtain
N N
M-i
2: bj cos 2 (q7rjIN)=-* .
2: cos (p7rilM) cos (r7riIM) j=O 2b q
i"'"i
Substitution into Eq. B-5 gives
= - V2 - 112 cos (p7r) cos (r7r),

and, finally,
=(1/16)[( -1)p+q 1]
M
2: a; cos (p7rilM) cos (r7rilM)=O, r:t:::p.
i"'"O
or

For the case r=p, we have

M M-i
2: a; cos 2 (p7rilM) = V2 + 2: cos 2 (p7rilM)
i"'"O i"'"i ...................... (B-6)

M-i
Integral Representation for
+V2 cos 2 (p7r)=1+ 2: cos 2 (p7rilM). Infinite Grid
i=i
In this form the finite Fourier series is not quite suitable
for going to the limit of an infinite grid. For p even, Apq
Hildebrand 8 gives the formula is nonzero only for q odd, while for p odd, A pq is
nonzero only for q even. To cover all cases and leave out
K
2 K sin Ka cos (K + l)a the zero terms, break up Eq. B-1 into two sums where
2:
k=i
cos ka=-+
2 2 sin a
.

Again taking a=p7rIM, K=M-l, we obtain For the first sum, define indices m and n by
M-i
M-I 1 M p=2m, [m=O, 1 ... M12], and
2:
i=i
cos 2 k a = - - - - cos 2 (Mp7rIM)=--1.
222 q=2n+ 1, [n=O, 1 ... (N-2)/2].

However, p=O and p=M are special cases. For p=O, Then

M MI2 (NI2)-i
, 2m7ri (2n+ l)7rj
2: a; cos 2 (0) = 1h +(M-l)+ Ih=M, 2: n=O
m=O
2: A mn cos - - cos
M N
i=i

while for p=M, where

M , -aimbin+i
2: a; cos 2 (7ri)= V2 +(M-l)+ V2 =M. A
mn
=
[2m7r (2n + l)7r]
.
i=i 2MN a sin 2 --+(lIa) sin 2 - - -
2M 2N
Thus, in general, For the second sum, define m and n by
M M p=2m+ 1, [m=O, 1 ... (M-2)/2], and
2: a; cos 2 (p7rilM)=--*
i=O 2a
.
p
q=2n, [n=O, 1 ... NI2].

Similarly, Then

(MI2)-i
N NI2 (2m + l)7ri 2n7rj
2: bj cos (q7rjlN) cos (s7rjlN)=O, s:t:::q, 2: A::m cos
2: n=O M
cos - -
N '
}=o m=O

538 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS JOURNAL


where along some line through the origin. The most convenient
such line is the horizontal axis.
-azm+lb Zn
A~n = - - - - : : : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - : : - - - : : For sufficiently large i, the solution on the infinite grid
(2m+ 1)11" 2mrJ satisfies the exact radial solution. Along the horizontal
2MN [ a sin 2 +(lIa) sin 2 - - axis (j=O), the exact radial solution is
2M 2N

The dashed square in Fig. 2 has sides of length

L =MAx = Ntly. By the definition of the well-block equivalent radius,

Let

Um = mAxIL=mIM, Combining, we get


Vn ntlyIL=nIN,
tlu = 11M,
tlv = liN.
Substituting Eq. B-7 gives
Then

'12 '/,-Av
SI=- ~ ~ a2mb2n+ltlutlvcos(2um)1I"i
um=O vn=O 2a )11'/2 )11'/2 cos (2iu)-1
- - - - - d v duo ........ (B-8)
11". 0 0 a sin 2 u+ sin 2 v
2
. cos (2vn +tlv)1I"jh[a sin 2 (u m 1l")
From several tables of definite integrals [Ref. 9, P. 76,
+(l/a) sin 2 (v n +tlvI2)1I"] Eq. 6 and Ref. 10, Eq. 3.653(2)],
and
(1I'/2 _ _dv_ _ = ___11"_ _
'/2
Jo 1+a 2 sin 2 v 2(1 +a 2 ) 'Iz '
~ a2m+ I bin tlutlv
Um=O Vn=O
from which it follows that

11"
2b(1 +b2) liz ........ (B-9)

Substituting Eq. B-9 into Eq. B-8 and taking b=a sin
Take the limit as tlu, tlv--O. This corresponds to letting u gives
M and N become infinite. keeping MIN=OI. constant.
Both sums approach the same integral. The constants a* 11'12 cos (2iu)-1
and b* are unity almost everywhere: In(roIiAx) = ) duo .. (B-IO)
sin u(l +a 2 sin 2 u) '/2
o
Let

Finally, with a slight change of dummy variables, we


have and

-1 (11'/2 (11'/2 cos (2iu) cos (2jv)du dv g(f) +f) '/2.


(p D) ij = J J (B-7)
o 0 a Expand g(f) in a Taylor series in f

It is not difficult to verify that Eq. B-7 satisfies the dif- 0> (-I)k(2k-I)!
ference equation, Eq. A-2, as well as the reflection con- g el) 1+ ~
ditions (Eqs. A-4 and A-5) at the lower and left {:j (2k)!!
boundaries.
Then Eq. B-1O becomes
Evaluation of Well-Block Equivalent Radius
It has not been possible to evaluate the double integral of 11'12 cos (2iu)-1
Eq. B-7 for all i andj. However, to obtain the well-block In(roIAx)=ln i+ ) du
equivalent radius, it is sufficient to evaluate the integral o sin u

JUNE 1983 539


+ i: (-I)k(2k-I)!!a 2k Substitution of Eqs. B-12 through B-16 into Eq. B-ll
yields
k=1 (2k)!!
[11"/2
.J sin (2k-l) u [ cos (2iu) -1] du. . ....... (B-1 1) InCro/ax)=In i-2 2:
o k=1 2k-I

By Eq. 2.526(1) of Ref. 10, 00

+ 2: a 2k Z(i,k), ............. (B-17)


du k=1
=In tan(u/2).
sin u where

By Eq. 2.539(1) of Ref. 10, (2k-l)! !(2k-I)! !(2i -2k-l)!!


Z(i,k) Ck< i),
2k(2i+ 2k - 1)!!
r cos (.2iu)dU --2 ~ cos (2k-l)u
J LJ - - - - - + I n tan(ul2).
sm u k=1 2k-I and

Then (-1)i+k(2k-l)! !(2k-I)!!


Z(i,k) = (k';?i).
2k(2k-2i -I)! !(2k+2i -I)!!
cos (2iu)-1 ~ cos (2k-I)u
) - - - - d u = 2 LJ
sin u k=! 2k-I Z(i,k) approaches zero for large i, so that the last sum
of Eq. B-17 also approaches zero for large i. Thus,
and

J
o
cos (2iu) -1
r1l"/2 ~
- - - - - d u = -2 LJ
sin u k=1 2k-l
..... (B-I2)
lim In(ra/ax)
1-00
lim [In j-2
1-00

k=1
1I(2k-l)]

00

By Eq. 3.621(4) of Ref. 10,


V2 2: (-1)k a 2k lk . ............... (B-I8)
k=1

11"/2 . (2k-l) (2k-2)!! Now


) sm u du . ............ (B-13)
o (2k-I)!! 2i

By Eq. 3.631(13) of Ref. 10,


2 2: 1I(2k-l)=2 2: lIk- 2: 11k
k=1 k=1 k=1

[11"/2 and
J sin (2k - !) U cos (2iu )du
o 00

2: 1)k a 2k / k= -In(1 +( 2 ),
2 (k-I) (k-l)!(2k-l)!! k=1
- - - - - - - Y ( i , k ) , ........... (B-14)
(2k+2i -I)!! so Eq. B-18 can be written

where
lim In(ra/ax) =
j ...... oo
1)1
Y(i,k) = for k';?i ............ (B-15)
(2k-2i -I)!! 21
.lim
,-00
[2 In 2i-2 k=1.2: 11k-In i
I)k (2i -2k+ 3)!! for k < i. . ..... (B-I6')

+ ~ lIk-2In 2] + V2 In(1 +( 2 ) . . . . . . . . (B-I9)


Eq. B-16' is incorrect, as can be seen by comparison
with other evaluations of this integral for the case k= I.
Ref. 9 (P. 69) gives the correct formula, which can be One of the definitions of Euler's constant is
converted into the correct expression,

Y(i,k)=( -1)k(2i-2k-l)!! for (k<i) . ..... (B-I6)


-y= .lim [
1-+00

k=1
11k-In iJ,
540 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS JOURNAL
so Eq. B-19 becomes This derivation requires that ky be greater than k x . If ky
is less than kx, it is necessary to interchange the roles of
x and y in Eq. 24.
lim In(r ol.6x) = -.,,-2 In 2 + 1/2 In(l +( 2 ),
;-;'Q:l
Solution in Elliptic Coordinates
Because Eq. C-l is a conformal mapping, Laplace's
2\1, e-'Y( .:ly2) \I, equation transforms unchanged from the u-v plane to the
+a) -- 1+-
4 .6x 2 ' p-O plane:

a2p a2p
and, finally, ap2 + a0 2
=0. . ...................... '.. (C-5)

e-'Y
- =0.1403649. . .... (B-20) The boundary condition, Eq. 26, transforms into the
4 very simple condition

Note that, for a square grid, P=Pwj at P=Pw.

Because the solution is independent of 0, Eq. C-5 is easi-


r0 -fie-'Y
lim- 0.198506 .............. (B-21) ly integrated:
.6x 4
P=Pwj+C(P-Pw), ...................... (C-6)

APPENDIX C where C is a constant of integration, to be determined


Solution of Laplace's Equation With from the flow rate.
Elliptic Inner Boundary Condition
Determination of the Constant of Integration
Transformation to Elliptic Coordinates
The flow rate, q, may be determined by integrating the
We seek the solution to Laplace's equation (Eq. 25) sub- normal velocity around any closed path. We choose for
ject to a Dirichlet condition on an elliptical inner boun-
the closed path an elliptical isobar, for which p is a con-
dary (Eq. 26). To solve this problem, we introduce a
stant. Thus,
conformal mapping to the elliptic coordinate system,
p-O, by the following change of variables. 7,11

u=bcoshp cos 0 ....................... (C-la)


J
q= -h vnds= -h
p
r
0
7r

Vn (~)
ao p
dO" ... , ... (C-7)

and where v n is the velocity component normal to the ellipse


in the x-y plane, and s is the arc length around the ellipse,
v=b sinh p sin 0, ....................... (C-lb) also in the x-y plane. Now

[(ax) 2+ (a y) 2J
where b is a constant to be determined later.
This transformation defines a family of concentric
ellipses in the u-v plane, wherein p is a parameter identi- ( as)
ao 80 p ao p p
V2,

fying a particular ellipse. Let p w be the parameter identi-

( ax) (au)
fying the wellbore ellipse. Then, substitution ofEq. C-l
into dx
ao p = du 80 p

-(kxlky)'A bcoshpsinO, ....... (C-8a)


yields

(
8Y ) dy (ax)
ao p = dv 80 p

= (kylkx) 'A b sinh p cos 0, ........ (C-8b)


as an alternate equation for the wellbore ellipse. Com-
parison with Eq. 26 gives
and

tanh 2 pw =kxlky, ........................ (C-3)

and

b 2 =r~(ky -kx)/(kxk y ) v,. . ................ (C-4) +(k ylk x )'/2 sinh2p cos 2 0]'/' . .......... (C-9)
JUNE 1983 541
To obtain v n, we need to find v x' V y' and {j, the angle Substitution into Eq. C-6 then gives, for the exact
of a line normal to the ellipse. This normal angle can be solution,
obtained from
q/l
p=Pwf+----1 p-Pw)' ........... (C-14)
21r(k x k y )
tan (j = _ (OX) =_ (OX) / (Oy ) .
oy P 00 P 00 P
Solution in Terms of a Mean Radius, r
Substitution of Eqs. C-Sa and C-Sb gives For each isobar, the coefficients of sin 0 and cos 0 in Eq.
C-l are, respectively, b sinh p and b cosh p. For large p,
tan (3.=(k x lk y ) liz tan O/tanh p . ............. (C-IO) sinh p and cosh p are almost the same, leading to the
conclusion that the isobars are essentially circular in the
u-v plane. One possible definition of a mean radius for
We now proceed to obtain vx' an isobar is the average of these coefficients, given by

r=(b sinh p+b cosh p)/2=(bI2) exp (p), ...... (C-15)

or

+ (OP)
00 P
(00)
ox Y
J................ (C-ll)
Substitution into Eq. C-14 gives
But, from Eq. C-6, (oploO)p =0, while (oploP)e =c. To
get (oplox)y, we combine Eq. 24 with Eq. C-2 (which is
valid for all p): ............ (C-16)

where

rw=b(sinh Pw+ cosh Pw)/2.


Differentiation with respect to x at constant y and
substitution of Eqs. 24, C-l, and C-ll yield But, on the wellbore ellipse, substitution of v=O and
u=(kylkx) \4 rw into Eq. C-2 yields
kxC (kylkx) 'A sinh p cos 0
vx =- 2 2 . . . . . . . . . (C-12) b cosh Pw=(kylk x ) \4 r w ,
/lb sinh p+ sin 0
while substitution of u=O, v=(kxlky) 'A r w yields
Similarly,

kyC (kxlky) \4 cosh p sin 0


vy = ........ (C-13) so that
/lb cosh2 p- cos 2 0

Now, the normal component of velocity is given by


So far, no approximations have been introduced, and
vn =V x cos {j+v y sin (j. Eqs. C-16 and C-17 represent merely another form of the
exact solution to Eqs. 25 and 26. The problem is that the
By making use of Eqs. C-IO, C-12, and C-13, we obtain mean radius r, defined by Eq. C-15, is not the same as
the more useful radius defined by Eq. 2S-i.e.,

=b(sinh 2 p sin 2 0+ cosh2 p cos 2 0) 'iz.


Multiplication by Eq. C-9 gives
..................... (C-IS)

To evaluate the error of using r Uv instead of r in Eq.


C-16, we compare In(r UV I;: w) with 1n(;:/;: w) for various
values of kylk x and rlr w' More specifically, we want the
and the integration indicated by Eq. C-7 yields relative error, given by

1n(r UV I;: w)
E=1 ............ (C-19)
In(rlr w)

542 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS JOURNAL


Dividing Eq. C-lS by Eq. C-18 yields From Eq. C-3 we have

l+tanhp Pw= tanh-I (kxlky)'h

2(cos 2 8+ sin 2 8 tanh 2 p) V2


1+(k Ik )'12
= 1f:zln x y ..... (C-22)
1-(kxlky) '12
The error, E, takes on its maximum absolute value in the
direction of maximum penneability (i.e., the y axis, Eqs. C-20, C-21, and C-22 can be used to estimate the
where 8=7r12). Then relative error for any kylkx and rlrw' In particular, we
want to know the radius beyond which the error is less
In[(1 +tanh p)/(2 tanh p)] than 0.1 %. For kylkx =2, rlr w > 10.7 suffices; for
maxlEI ....... (C-20) kylkx = 10, rlrw >29.2. Thirty times the wellbore radius
e
is small compared with any expected grid size; hence we
conclude that the assumption of circularity of the isobars
Also, on the y axis, in the u-v plane is a good one, and that r can be replaced
by r UV safely in Eq. C-16 to yield Eq. 27.

SPEJ
Original manuscript received in Society of Petroleum Engineers office Nov. 2. 1981.
Paper accepted for publication Feb. 3, 1983. Revised manuscript received March 2,
1983. Paper (SPE 10528) first presented at the 1982 SPE Symposium on Reservoir
[(kylkx)-l]'h sinh p . .............. (C-21) Simulation held in New Orleans, Jan. 31-Feb. 3.

JUNE 1983 543

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