ñ


   
   

  



 
Darcy¶s law states that the velocity of a homogeneous fluid in porous medium is proportional to the pressure
gradient and inversely proportional to the fluid viscousity. Mathematically,

0
 ºñ
 º

where
0 is the apparent velocity in cm/s,
ñ is the viscousity in cp,
dP is the differential pressure in atmospheres,
dx is the displacement in cm,
& k is the permeability of the rock in darcy.

The negative sign in the equation is conventional and is added because the pressure gradient is negative in the
direction of flow.


 
a. Àaminar Flow
For turbulent flow, which occurs at high velocities, the pressure gradient increases at a greater rate
compared to the flow rate.

2. Steady State flow

In steady state flow, the pressure of a reservoir does not change with time.

3. Isothermal conditions prevail

Temperature change results in a change in viscousities.

4. The fluid is incompressible

Compressible fluids have a different pressure gradient as compared to incompressible fluids.

5. Homogeneous formation
The porosity and permeability of the rock formation are a constant.

c
  

 


 

0



×



º
0



×



ºñ
o



0







ºñ
 º

So,
0


ºñ
 º

Since q = Av
o






 ºñ
 º

Rearranging and integrating,




 



 ºñ

 
 

ºñ



  º

Radial Flow
0



×


º
0



×



ºñ
o



0






ºñ
 º

o






ºñ
 º

Since A = 2‰rh
o






‰
 ºñ
 º
Rearranging and integrating,



ñ


º‰

 º


 
 

ñ
o



º‰
 


  

‰
   º

ñ
  

c