Chapter 6

MATERIAL BALANCE
EQUATIONS
When a volume of oil is produced from a reservoir, the space originally
occupied by the produced oil volume must now be occupied by something
else.
Unless fluid is injected, the production of oil must result in a decline in
reservoir pressure.
The decline in reservoir pressure can cause;
influx of fluid from an adjoining aquifer or gas cap.
expansion of fluids in the reservoir.
expansion of reservoir rock grains - reduction of pore volume.
There is therefore a relationship between the rate of production and the rate of
decline of reservoir pressure. Material balance equations express this dependence
in mathematical form.
The material balance equation is the basic reservoir engineering analysis tool used to examine past reservoir performance and to predict
future performance.

The diagrams in this section are best viewed on the electronic version of the
course notes. You may wish to make colour prints of these figures.

134

GAS CAP

OIL ZONE

AQUIFER

Figure 6.1: Schematic of a combination reservoir

6.1

ORIGINAL OIL VOLUME BALANCE

Most material balance equations are written in terms of the original volume occupied by the oil.
The volume originally occupied by produced oil may now be occupied by;
1.

expansion of an adjoining gas cap (if one is present).

2.

volume of gas released by oil (if reservoir pressure falls below the bubble
point).

3.

volume of oil remaining in the reservoir.

4.

volume occupied by expansion of rock grains - pore space compressibility.

5.

volume occupied by expansion of connate water.

6.

influx of water from an adjoining aquifer (if the aquifer is strong enough).

It should be understood that the attached diagram is for illustrative purposes

and is not intended to imply that the materials in the reservoir are segregated in
the manner shown. Under some conditions, however, gas released from solution
will segregate to the top of the structure. Some of the released solution gas will
always be evenly distributed throughout the reservoir, as are the expansions of
rock and connate water.
135

Figure 6.2: Material balance on the pore space occupied by the original oil volume

6.1.1

Gas Cap Expansion

If a gas cap is present, and the reservoir pressure drops, the gas cap will expand
to replace some of the volume initially occupied by the produced oil.
Gas cap expansion =
|

where,
G
Gpc
Bg
Bgi

=
=
=
=

{z

[RB]

(G Gpc )Bg
|

{z

gas volume at lower pressure

GBgi

| {z }

initial gas volume

original gas cap gas volume, [SCF]

cumulative gas production from the gas cap, [SCF]
gas formation volume factor at current pressure, [RB/SCF]
gas formation volume factor at original reservoir pressure, [RB/SCF]

Note that if Gpc is large, the gas cap may actually shrink rather than expand.Gas
cap shrinkage should never be allowed because it always results in a loss of oil
recovery.
The above equation may be written as,
VGCE = (G Gpc )Bg GBgi
136

Figure 6.3: Gas cap expansion volume

Problem 6.1 - Calculation of gas cap expansion [MBE.mcd]
Calculate the change in the size of the gas cap after 20% of the gas cap gas has
been produced while the reservoir pressure had dropped from 1225 psig to 1100
psig. The gas cap originally contained 21.3 109 SCF.
Data:
G
= 21.3 109
Bgc at 1225 psig = 0.002125
Bgc at 1100 psig = 0.002370

[SCF]
[RB/SCF]
[RB/SCF]

Solution
1. At 1100 psig the gas cap containing 0.8 times the original gas cap volume
i.e., G = 0.8Gi
2.
VGCE = (G Gpc )Bg GBgi

VGCE = (0.8 21.3 109 0) 0.002370 21.3 109 0.002125

VGCE = 4.88 106 RB

i.e., the gas cap has actually shrunk. This would allow about 5 MMRB oil
to migrate into the gas cap, a zone originally free of oil. This would result
in a loss of about 1MMRB of oil.
We would not allow this to actually happen in the actual reservoir.
137

Problem 6.2 - Calculation of gas cap expansion [MBE.mcd]

Calculate the change in gas cap size for the reservoir of Problem 6.1 if the reservoir
pressure had dropped from 1225 psig to 900 psig at the time that 20% of the gas
was produced.
Data:
G
= 21.3 109
Bgc at 1225 psig = 0.002125
Bgc at 900 psig = 0.002905

[SCF]
[RB/SCF]
[RB/SCF]

Solution
1. At 900 psig the gas cap cumulative production is i.e., Gp = 0.2Gi
2.
VGCE = (G Gpc )Bg GBgi
VGCE = (0.8 21.3 109 0) 0.002905 21.3 109 0.002125
VGCE = 4.24 106 RB

i.e., the gas cap has expanded into the oil zone and no oil is lost to the gas
zone.

138

Figure 6.4: Released solution gas volume

6.1.2

Released Solution Gas Volume

If the reservoir pressure falls below the bubble point pressure gas will be released
from solution.
At any time during the production of a reservoir, the gas originally in solution
can be placed into three categories;
1.

gas remaining in solution

2.

gas released from solution and produced from the reservoir

3.

gas released from solution but remaining in the reservoir.

On this basis we write,

Released gas volume =

{z

[RB]

where,
N
Np
Rsi
Rs
Bg

=
=
=
=
=

N
R
| {z si}

gas originally in solution

Bg

(N Np )Rs

Gps

gas still in solution

produced solution gas

{z

|{z}

original oil volume, [STB]

cumulative oil produced, [STB]
original solution gas-oil ratio, [SCF/STB]
solution gas-oil ratio at current pressure, [SCF/STB]
gas formation volume factor at current pressure, [RB/SCF]

139

The above equation is usually written as,

VRSG = {N Rsi (N Np )Rs Gps }Bg
Problem 6.3 - Calculation of released solution gas volume [MBE.mcd]
Cumulative oil production for our example reservoir was 14.73 106 STB at
the time when reservoir pressure was 900 psig. At the same time cumulative
production of solution gas was 4.05 109 SCF. Calculate the reservoir volume
occupied by released gas.
Data:
N
Rsi at 1225 psig
Rs at 900 psig
Bg at 900 psig

=
=
=
=

90.46 106
230
169
0.002905

[STB]
[SCF/STB]
[SCF/STB]
[RB/SCF]

Solution
VRSG = {N Rsi (N Np )Rs Gps }Bg
VRSG = {(90.46 230 (90.46 14.73) 169 4050) 106 } 0.002905
VRSG = 11.5 106 RB

140

Figure 6.5: Remaining oil volume

6.1.3

Remaining Oil Volume

The oil volume remaining in the reservoir is simply,

Reservoir
oil volume} = (N Np )Bo
|
{z
|

[RB]

{z

oil still in reservoir

where,
N
Np
Bo

= original oil volume, [STB]

= cumulative oil produced, [STB]
= oil formation volume factor at current pressure, [RB/STB]

The above equation is written as,

VROV = (N Np )Bo

141

Problem 6.4 - Calculation of remaining oil volume [MBE.mcd]

What is the remaining reservoir oil volume for the previous example at 900 psig.
Data:
Bo at 900 psig = 1.104 [RB/STB]

Solution
VROV = (N Np )Bo
VROV = (90.46 106 14.73 106 ) 1.104
VROV = 83.63 106 RB

142

Figure 6.6: Rock and connate water expansion volume

6.1.4

Rock and Connate Water Expansion

The expansion of rock and connate water are combined into one term and expressed as the formation compressibility cf .
cf is defined as the fractional change in pore volume per psi change in reservoir
pressure.
The pore volume can be expressed in terms of the original oil volume, as is
required for material balance calculations.
original oil volume = N Boi = Vp Soi = Vp (1 Swi )
where,
N
Boi
Vp
Soi
Swi

=
=
=
=
=

original oil volume, [STB]

oil formation volume factor at initial pressure, [RB/STB]
reservoir pore volume, [RB]
initial oil saturation
initial or connate water saturation

or,
Vp =

N Boi
1 Swi

143

The total amount of rock expansion is calculated by utilizing the definition of

compressibility;
1 V
c=
V P
from which we have
V = cV P
Rock expansion = formation compressibility pore volume pressure change

{z

[RB]

Rock expansion = cf
|

where,
cf
p1
p

{z

[RB]

N Boi
(pi p)
1 Swi

= formation compressibility, [vol/vol/psi]

= initial reservoir pressure, [psig]
= current reservoir pressure, [psig]

The total amount of connate water expansion is given by,

Water expansion = water compressibility water volume pressure change

{z

[RB]

The initial connate water volume is given by,

original connate water volume = Swi Vp = Swi
where,
cw
Swi

N Boi
1 Swi

= water compressibility, [vol/vol/psi]

= initial water saturation

The connate water expansion is,

Water expansion = cw Swi

{z

[RB]

N Boi
(pi p)
1 Swi

Combining the above equations, we have for rock and water expansion,
VRW E

N Boi
= (cf + cw Swi )
(pi p)
1 Swi

For reservoirs where a gas phase is present, the rock and water expansion term is
so small that it may safely be neglected.
The rock and connate water term is usually only important for oil reservoirs when
the oil pressure remains above the bubble point.
144

Problem 6.5 - Calculation of rock and connate water expansion volume

MBE.mcd]
What is the rock and water expansion volume for the previous example when the
pressure falls from 1225 psig to 900 psig.
Data:
Swi
cf
cw

= 0.205
= 3.0106
= 3.0106

[psi1 ]
[psi1 ]

Solution
VRW E

N Boi
= (cf + cw Swi )
(pi p)
1 Swi

VRW E = (cf + cw Swi ) (Vp ) (pi p)

VRW E = (3.0 + 3.0(0.205)) 106 127.84(106 ) (1225 900)

VRW E = 0.15 106 RB

We see that rock and water expansion amounts to about 1% of the released gas
volume. This is usually the case in practice and rock and connate water expansion
can be neglected for calculations below the bubble point.

145

Figure 6.7: Water influx volume

6.1.5

Water Influx

Unlike the above items in the material balance equation, the volume of water
influx cannot be calculated directly.
This is because the calculation of water influx requires information characterizing
the size and strength of the aquifer and this information is not generally known
with any certainty during the early production life of a reservoir.
However, since we can calculate all the other terms in the material balance equation, we can determine the net water influx into the reservoir total water
entering the reservoir less water produced by dierence.
|Net water
{z influx} =
[RB]

where,
We
Wp
Bw

e
|{z}

cumulative water influx

Wp Bw

| {z }

cumulative produced water

= cumulative water influx, [RB]

= cumulative water produced, [STB]
= water formation volume factor at current pressure, [RB/STB]

The above equation may be written as,

VN W I = We Wp Bw

146

6.1.6

General Material Balance Equation

Having analyzed all the individual terms in the material balance equation, we
can write,
Original oil volume = Gas cap expansion + Released gas volume
+
Oil volume
+ Rock and water expansion +
Net water influx

VOOIP = VGCE + VRGV + VROV + VRW E + VN W I

N Boi = (G Gpc )Bg GBgi + {N Rsi (N Np )Rs Gps }Bg +

N Boi
(N Np )Bo + (cf + Swi cw )
(pi p) +
1 Swi
(6.1)
We Wp Bw
Note that the two gas production terms are additive and equal to the total gas
production at the surface ie.,
(Gpc + Gps )Bg = Gp Bg
The material balance equation may be re-written as,
N Boi = G(Bg Bgi ) + {N Rsi (N Np )Rs }Bg Gp Bg +

N Boi
(N Np )Bo + (cf + Swi cw )
(pi p) +
1 Swi
We Wp Bw

(6.2)

One of the most important uses of the material balance equation is to calculate
water influx into a reservoir. This only requires that we know the volume of initial
fluids in-place, reservoir pressure and cumulative oil, gas and water production.
Cumulative water influx is,
We

N Boi
= N Boi (N Np )Bo (cf + Swi cw )
(pi p)
1 Swi
GBg + GBgi + Gp Bg {N Rsi (N Np )Rs }Bg
+Wp Bw

147

(6.3)

Problem 6.6 - Calculation of water influx from material balance

[MBE.mcd]
Using the results of the Problems 6.2-5, find the water influx when the pressure
falls from 1225 psig to 900 psig. Cumulative water production at this time is
620,000 STB.
Data:
Wp
Bw

= 0.62106
= 1.0

[STB]
[RB/STB]

Solution
The following items were calculated in the previous examples.
Ex.
2
3
4
5

Item Calculated
Gas Cap Exp.
Released Gas
Remaining Oil
Rock & Water Exp.

(G Gpc )Bg GBgi

{N Rsi (N Np )Rs Gps }Bg
(N Np )Bo

N Boi
(cf + Swi cw ) 1S
(p

p)
i
wi

106 RB
4.24
11.50
83.63
0.15

Re-arranging the material balance equation to calculate We ,

We

N Boi
= N Boi (N Np )Bo (cf + Swi cw )
(pi p)
1 Swi
GBg + GBgi + Gp Bg {N Rsi (N Np )Rs }Bg
+Wp Bw

(6.4)

We = (101.64 83.63 4.24 11.50 0.15 + 0.62 1.0) 106 = 2.74 106 RB

148

6.2

PRIMARY RECOVERY MECHANISMS

Each of the terms of the material balance equation represents a drive mechanism which contributes to the total energy required to produce oil from the
reservoir.
If we divide the overall material balance equation by N Boi we obtain,

1 =

(G Gp )Bg GBgi {N Rsi (N Np )Rs Gps }Bg

+
+
N
B
N
B
oi
oi
|
{z
} |
{z
}
Igc

Isg

1
(N Np )Bo
+ (cf + Swi cw )
(pi p) +
N Boi
1

S
wi
{z
}
|
Ipd

We Wp Bw
N{z
Boi }
|

(6.5)

Iw

The above equation may be written as,

1 = Igc + Isg + Ipd + Iw
where,
Igc
Isg
Ipd
Iw

=
=
=
=

gas cap drive index

solution gas drive index
pressure depletion drive index
water drive index

The above indices represent the eectiveness of each drive mechanism for a particular reservoir.
A reservoir for which the dominant drive mechanism is, Iw , is called a water drive
reservoir.
A reservoir for which the dominant drive mechanism is, Igc , is called a gas cap
drive reservoir.
A reservoir for which the dominant drive mechanism is, Isg , is called a solution
gas drive reservoir.
149

Figure 6.8: Reservoir drive index as a function of time

A reservoir for which the dominant drive mechanism is, Ipd , is called a depletion
drive reservoir.
A reservoir for which more than one drive mechanism is important, is called a
combination drive reservoir.

6.2.1

Typical Performance Characteristics for the Dierent Drive Mechanisms

The dominant drive mechanism for a particular reservoir can often be deduced
from the rate of pressure decline and the trend of the producing gas-oil ratio.
The trends which are observed when one of the mechanisms dominates are summarized in the following figures.
Ultimate recovery is strongly influenced by the type of drive mechanism.
1.

Pressure depletion drive (fluid and rock expansion) results in a rapid straight
line pressure response and may be expected to recover less than 5% of the
original oil-in-place.

2.

Solution gas drive pressure drops slowly at first. As the producing GOR
increases, pressure falls rapidly. Ultimate recoveries are in the range 15-30
%.
150

Figure 6.9: Reservoir pressure as a function of cumulative oil production

Figure 6.10: Producing GOR as a function of cumulative oil production

151

Figure 6.11: Producing characteristics of gas cap drive reservoirs

3.

Water drive pressure declines rapidly at first, but the decline rate decreases as water influx from the aquifer increases. The producing GOR
remains approximately constant and ultimate recoveries are 50% or more.

152

Figure 6.12: Producing characteristics of solution gas drive reservoirs

Figure 6.13: Producing characteristics of water drive reservoirs

153

6.3

6.3.1

USING MATERIAL BALANCE EQUATIONS

Average Reservoir Pressure

The material balance equation describes the whole reservoir in terms of average
reservoir pressure, initial volumes of oil, gas and water in-place and cumulative oil,
water and gas production volumes. In order to use the material balance equation
it is necessary to determine average reservoir pressure for the time (cumulative oil,
water and gas production) when the material balance equation is to be applied.
Direct measurement of average reservoir pressure would require that all the wells
are shut-in and that the bottom-hole pressure is measured at a time after shut-in
which is suciently long for all the pressure gradients in the reservoir to equalize.
This may take months to years (depending on reservoir permeability) and result in
considerable loss in revenue because of lost production. The direct measurement
approach is therefore impractical.
Pressure data obtained from a pressure buildup test can be used to estimate
the average pressure in the volume or area drained by the tested well. These
tests require short test times (hours to days) and allow reservoir pressure to be
mapped over the field. The mapped pressures may be averaged to give the average
reservoir pressure as,
P
pj Vp j
p= P
(6.6)
Vp j

where pj and Vp j are the drainage area pressure and pore volume drained by well
j.

6.3.2

Knowns and Unknowns

When solving the material balance equation the parameters may be classified into
the following groups of knowns and unknowns.
knowns
unknowns
Np
N
G
Gp
Wp
We
Swc
p (Bo , Bg , Rs )
cf
cw
Bw
154

The PVT properties (Bo , Bg , Rs ) may be considered to be known if the average reservoir pressure is known and representative fluid samples have obtained
and analysed. This reduces the number of unknowns to five but we have only
one equation. This is the central problem with the use of the material balance
equation.
Before considering specific examples of the application of the material balance
equation, lets consider some of the parameters in the material balance equation.
Knowns
Np - this is usually known because oil is the primary production target which is
sold to generate revenue.
Gp , Wp - cumulative gas and water production be unknown for older oil and gas
fields because they had little or no value at the time of production. When these
are unknown it is not possible to perform material balance calculations for the
reservoir.
Swc - is usually considered to be accurately known from petrophysical evaluation.
cw , Bw - these are known, or may be estimated, from laboratory tests on formation brine.
Unknowns
N, G - volumetric estimates of the original oil and gas-cap volumes in-place are
always known from the field appraisal stage. These are disregarded as soon as
production-pressure data becomes available and an attempt is made to estimate
in-place volumes from material balance calculations. This is because volumetric
estimates include all the mapped hydrocarbon volume, whereas material balance
calculation provides the eective volume or the volume which contributes to actual production. This will usually be smaller than the volumetric estimate due
to compartmentilization of the reservoir by faults or low permeability zones.
We - this is probably the greatest unknown in reservoir development - whether
there has been any water influx or not. One of the most important uses of material
balance calculations is to estimate water influx.
p - although we usually consider reservoir pressure to be known, problems with
the interpretation of pressure buildup test data may introduce serious errors and
there may be considerable uncertainty in estimates of average reservoir pressure.
cf - pore volume or formation compressibility is usually considered to be small
and constant. In some cases it may be large and variable. When it is large,
compaction may form a major part of the reservoir drive energy and usually leads

155

to considerable subsidence at the surface. This may be of little consequence on

land in remote areas but may cause serious problems for operations oshore.

Problem 6.7 Calculating water influx from material balance for history matching
aquifer performance [MBE.mcd]
The first step in characterizing or history matching an aquifer is to calculate water
influx from available production and pressure data. You will be performing this
history match in the reservoir engineering course which follows from the present
course. After the aquifer has been characterized, the resultant aquifer model is
attached to a numerical reservoir simulation model which is used to predict future
reservoir performance.
The reservoir for this exercise is a small oshore oil field which has been on-stream
for only 700 days. The field was shut-in for a 250 day period for upgrading of the
gathering system and production facilities. There was a strong and clear aquifer
response to the shut-in (use Mathcad to plot the field pressure as a function of
time to see the response).
The field production history is given in the table below.
PRODUCTION HISTORY
Time
P
Np
Gp
(day) (psia) (MMSTB) (BSCF)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
550
600
650
700

4217
3915
3725
3570
3450
3390
3365
3600
3740
3850
3900
3920
3720
3650
3640

0.00000
0.34270
0.63405
1.06898
1.36788
1.64397
1.91465
1.91465
1.91465
1.91465
1.91465
1.91465
2.11402
2.24921
2.33133

156

0.00000
0.17821
0.32970
0.55587
0.71130
0.85487
0.99562
0.99562
0.99562
0.99562
0.99562
0.99562
1.09929
1.16959
1.21229

Wp
(MMSTB)
0.00000
0.00000
0.00121
0.02636
0.07041
0.12218
0.17304
0.17304
0.17304
0.17304
0.17304
0.17304
0.20368
0.25094
0.31690

The initial oil in-place is estimated (volumetrically) to be 33.2 MMSTB.

Reservoir system properties were estimated to be:
cf
= 5106 psi1
cw
= 3106 psi1
Swc = 0.248
PVT data for the reservoir oil is given in the following table.
PVT DATA
P
Bo
Rs
Bg
Bw
(psia) (RB/STB) (SCF/STB) (RB/SCF) (RB/STB)
3365
3465
3565
3665
3765
3865
3965
4065
4165
4265

1.2511
1.2497
1.2483
1.2469
1.2455
1.2441
1.2427
1.2413
1.2399
1.2385

510
510
510
510
510
510
510
510
510
510

1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

Reservoir temperature is 210o F and the gas gravity is 0.69.

Determine the cumulative water influx for each of the 50 day time periods in the
production history table.
Solution hint
You need to calculate a cumulative water influx volume for each 50 day period
(a total of 14 calculations). Each calculation is identical to the calculations
performed in Problems 6-1 to 6-6. You can simply use [MBE.mcd] to do the
calculation for each period. Alternatively, you could modify [MBE.mcd] to readin the production data and do the 14 calculations in one pass or prepare your
owm spreadsheet using whatever software you are most comfortable with.
[Answer: We at 700 days is 2.778 MMRB]

157

6.4

MATERIAL BALANCE FOR A CLOSED

OIL RESERVOIR

When water influx from the aquifer is small or negligible (small ineective aquifer,
weak to moderate aquifers during early stages of production when the aquifer
response is small) there is negligible water production and the material balance
equation reduces to,

N Boi
0 = N Boi (N Np )Bo (cf + Swi cw )
(pi p)
1 Swi
GBg + GBgi + Gp Bg {N Rsi (N Np )Rs }Bg

(6.7)

If the original gas cap volume may be estimated from a volumetric calculation,
the formation compressibility is known, and reliable production-pressure data is
available, the only unknown is the original oil in-place, N . This provides a very
valuable check on the volumetrically determined value. As discussed previously,
the material balance derived value of N may be more reliable than the volumetrically determined volume.

Prediction of future reservoir pressure

After the original oil in-place has been established, the material balance equation
may be used to predict future reservoir pressure if future cumulative production
can be estimated. The main diculty with this procedure is estimating the volumes of gas and water which will accompany the specified oil production volume.
If all the produced oil and water is reinjected, this diculty is eliminated.

Calculation of original oil in-place by material balance

Another important use for the material balance equation for a closed reservoir is
to calculate the original oil in-place. This provides an independent check on the
volumetric estimate because it does not rely on maps, logs or pore volume estimates. Calculation of original hydrocarbon volume in-place by material balance
is the preferred method for gas reservoirs where the method reduces to a simple
graphical representation called the p/z-plot. We will demonstrate this method in
a following section of the course.

158

Problem 6.8 - Calculation of original oil in-place using material balance

equation [OIPMBE.mcd]
The discovery pressure of a reservoir containing a gas cap was 3330 psia. Geological evidence suggests that aquifer quality is poor and that water influx into
the reservoir is likely to be negligible. The reservoir was produced until the reservoir fell to 2700 psia. Cumulative oil production at this time is 11.503 MMSTB
and cumulative gas production is 14.206 BSCF. The volumetric estimates of the
original oil-in-place, (N ), is 105 MMSTB and the initial gas cap volume is 81.14
BSCF. Does the material balance calculation confirm this estimate?
Data:
Swi
cf
cw

= 0.21
= 3.0106
= 3.0106

[psi1 ]
[psi1 ]

[Answer: 113 MMSTB]

Solution hints
The material balance equation is explicit in N , so we could rearrange it and solve
directly for N - you can do this if you like. An alternative way is to solve the
material balance equation by trial and error ie., guess a value of N which makes
both sides of the material balance equation equal. If you use [OIPMBE.mcd] you
will see the I have simply rearranged [MBE.mcd] to allow me to enter a value of
N and see the sum of the drive indices with the drive index for water set to zero
(closed reservoir condition). The value of N which makes the drive indices sum
to one is the correct oil-in-place.

159

6.5

MATERIAL BALANCE FOR A CLOSED

GAS RESERVOIR

The material balance equation for a closed gas reservoir is so simple that it may
be solved graphically. The graphical solution method is commonly referred to as
the P/z-plot. The plot can be used to estimate the original gas in-place and to
predict future reservoir pressure given a production forecast.
The general material balance equation for a closed gas reservoir reduces to;
GBgi = (G Gpc )Bg
Since Bg is given by,
Bg = 5.02 103

zT
P

we can write for the above material balance equation (where reservoir temperature
is assumed to remain constant),

G 5.02 103

zi T
Pi

= (G Gp ) 5.02 103

zT
P

which may be rearranged to,

G
or,

P
G
z
or,

zi
z
= (G Gp )
Pi
P

P
= (G Gp )
z

P
P
=
z
z

1 P
Gp
G z
i

The above equation results in a straight line relationship between (P/z) and
Gp . The straight line on a (P/z)Gp plot passes through (P/z)i at Gp = 0 and
through G at (P/z) = 0.
The straight-line relationship is very useful in estimating the initial volume of
gas-in-place (G) from limited production history.

160

Figure 6.14: p/z plot for a closed gas reservoir

Problem 6.9 - Calculation of initial gas in-place for a closed gas reservoir [GIP.mcd]
Estimate the initial gas content, G, for a closed gas reservoir having the following
production history.
Pressure
Cumulative Gas
Gas Deviation
(psig)
Production (MMSCF)
Factor (z)
3500
3350
3200
3050
2750

0
46.7
125.0
203.5
380.0

161

0.84
0.82
0.81
0.80
0.78

Solution

1. Calculate P/z for each pressure point and plot against cumulative production, Gp .
Pressure
Cumulative Gas
Gas Deviation
(psig)
Production (MMSCF)
Factor (z)
3500
3350
3200
3050
2750

0
46.7
125.0
203.5
380.0

0.84
0.82
0.81
0.80
0.78

P/z
(psig)
4166.7
4085.3
3950.6
3812.5
3525.6

2. Draw the best-fit straight line through the data and extrapolate to P/z = 0.
The intercept at P/z = 0 is the initial gas in place, G. To see this plot
open [GIP.mcd].
G = 2.4 BSCF.

162

Figure 6.15: Material balance for a gas reservoir

6.5.1

Water Drive Gas Reservoirs

When a gas reservoir is in contact with a significant aquifer, water influx will
occur as the reservoir pressure declines with production. The material balance
for such a reservoir may be written as,
GBgi = (G Gp )Bg + We Wp Bw
This equation can be solved for water influx,
We = GBgi (G Gp )Bg + Wp Bw
If G can be evaluated volumetrically and if the field production data is known
(Gp and Wp ) at corresponding reservoir pressures, the material balance equation
can be used to calculate the cumulative water influx at these times.

163

Figure 6.16: p/z plot for a gas reservoir experiencing water influx

Problem 6.10 - Production history of a water drive gas reservoir

[GIP.mcd]
The following pressure production data were recorded for a gas reservoir. Can
we estimate G from this data?
Pressure
Cumulative Gas
Gas Deviation
(psig)
Production (MMSCF)
Factor (z)
3500
3350
3200
3050
2950

0
52
155
425
880

0.84
0.82
0.81
0.80
0.79

[Answer: yes, G= 2.67 BSCF]

Solution hint
Even if the aquifer is active, it takes time for the aquifer to respond to the decrease
in reservoir pressure. This means that early in the life of the reservoir will behaive
like a closed system. The early data should therefore plot as a straight line on a
164

P/z-plot. Extrapolating this plot to zero pressure will therefore give a realistic
estimate of the original gas-in-place. I have setup the spreadsheet [GIP.mcd] to
allow you to select the points through which to fit the straight line.

Problem 6.11 - Calculation of water influx for a gas reservoir

[GWMTB.mcd]
For the water drive gas reservoir of the previous example calculate the cumulative
water influx corresponding to the times at which cumulative gas production is
given. Cumulative water production is zero for the period and the reservoir
temperature is TR = 275 o F.
[Answer: 0, 0, 0.016, 0.192, 0.569 MMRB]

Solution hint
Do this any way you like. I used [GIP.mcd] from the previous example and added
a calculation for Bg from z and the material balance equation for a water drive
gas reservoir.

165