Appendix I A

SPE ~omenclature
and Units*

Standard letter symbols for reservoir engineering Gas volume

and electric logging have been defined by the AIME cubic foot) measured at 1 atmosphere
(Society of Petroleum Engineers). Some non- cubic metre) and 60°F
standard terms, subscripts and nomenclature are still MCF = thousands of cubic feet
in use and may be encountered. MMCF = millions of cubic feet
No effective standardization or metrication of (The billion is the American billion = lo9;
units has yet occurred, and the industry uses the trillion is the American trillion = 1012.)
American mixed units to a large extent, although
some metric units mixed with American still may be Pressure
encountered. A n application of the SI metric system pounds force per square in (psi)
is found in the Journal of Petroleum Engineerinng atmosphere
(1985) in the issues for August (p. 1415) and October bar
p.1801.
Temperature
degrees Fahrenheit "F
UNITS +
degrees Rankine O R = 460 "F
degrees Kelvin K
Volume
acre-foot for large volumes Length
barrel pipelines - miles, feet, kilometres
cubic ft well depths - feet or metres
cubic metre Diameters
tubular diameters generally inches or centimetres
Liquid volume feetimetres
barrel = 5.615 cubic ft
cubic metre = (35.31) ft3 Viscosity
(Unless otherwise specified, an oil volume will be centipoise
tank oil measured at 1 atmosphere and 60°F.)
Density
lb mass per cubic foot
* Reprinted from Journal of Petroleum Technology, 1984, kg mass per cubic metre
pp. 2278-2323 by permission. SPE-AIME, 1984. g per cubic centimetre
258 PETROLEUM ENGINEERING: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE

Specific gravity Oil densities

liquids relative to water (62.4 Ibift') API gravity
gases relative to air (0.0765 1b/ft3)
AYI scale for tank oil

Gas-uil ratio
standard cubic feet of gas per stock t a l k barrel of oil SG = specific gravity of water = 1.0
cubic metrcs of gas (s.c.) per cubic metre tank oil
Recornnlendatiorl for rnetricatiorl and appropriate
Flow rate conver~ionCactnrs for units are glven:
liquids - barrel per day (bid)
cubic metre? per day (m'id)
gases - qtandard cubic I t per day SCFid, MCFid
and MSCFDld, MMSCFD
cubic lnctres per clay (mild) MSCFDid

Recommended units: conversions

Quantity S I unit Industry SPEpreferred Conversion
unit unit factor
(industry -;preferred)
Length m mile km 1.609344
metre m 1.O
foot m 0.3048
inch mm 25.4
Area m2 sq. mile km2 2.589988
acre km2 4.046873 x 1o3
sq. ft m2 0.0920304
sq. inch mm2 6.4516 x 1o2
Volume m3 m3 m3 1.O
acre foot m3 1.233482 x 1o3
barrel r13 1.589873 x 10-'
ft3 m3 2.831685 x 1 0 . ~
US gallon m3 3.785412 x 1
Capacityilength m3/m barrelslit m3/m 5.2161 19 x 10.'
it3/ft m3/m 9.02903404 x 1o - ~
US gall.ift m3/m 1.241933 x 1 0 . ~
Mass kg Ib mass kg 4.535924 x lo-'
short ton Mg 0.9071847
Temperature gradient Kim O ~ /t f Kim 1.822689
Pressure Pa atmosphere kPa 1.013250 x 1o2
bar kPa 1 . 0 l~o 2
kgfisq. cm kPa 9.806650 x 10'
Ibfisq. in. kPa 6.894757
dynelsq. cm Pa 1 x 10"
Pressure gradient Palm lbfisq. in./ft kPa/m 2.262059 x 10'
Density kgim3 Ibm/ft3 kg/m3 1.601846 x lo-'
Ibm/US gall. kgim3 1.198264~10'
Volume rate m3is bld m3/d 1.589873 x 10.'
US gall.imin m3/hr 0.2271247
Viscosity Pa.s cP Pa. s I.O 1o - ~
Permeability m2 Darcy pm2 9.869233 x 10.'
rnilliDarcy ~ m * 9.869233 x 1o - ~
SPE NOMENCLATURE AND UNITS

SPE SYMBOLS STANDARD original standards were published in 1956 following

five years of intensive development. Additions
Preface resulted from requests from members and from
Objectives editorial reviews of the numerous papers submitted
to SPE for publication.
The primary objectives of the 1984 Symbols Stan-
dards are to combine prior standards and supple- Principles of symbols selection
ments into one publication so as to provide (1)
consistency of usage and maximum ease of under- Once the original reservoir Symbols Standard was
standing of mathematical equations for the readers established in 1956, the pAnciples employed in the
of technical papers, and (2) to codify symbols lists, selection of additional symbols have been as follows:
rules and guides for the writers of technical papers. A . (1) Use single letters only for the main letter
symbols. This is the universal practice of the
Structure of lists American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
The 1984 Symbol Standards are a consolidation of the International Organization for Standardiza-
the 1956 Standard and all later supplements. Some tion (ISO) and the International Union of Pure
of the cross-grouping and obsolete quantities have and Applied Physics (IUPAP) in more than 20
been eliminated. The complete symbols list is given formal Standards adopted by them for letter
in four different forms as follows: symbols employed in mathematical equations.
(2) Make available single and multiple sub-
A . Symbols alphabetized by physical quantity, scripts to the main letter symbols to the extent
B. Subscripts alphabetized by physical quantity, necessary for clarity.
Multiple letters such as abbreviations are
C. Symbols alphabetized by symbols, prohibited for use as the main symbol (kernel)
D . Subscripts alphabetized by symbols. for a quantity. A few exceptions are some
traditional mathematical symbols such as log, In
The names or labels for the quantities are for and lim. Thus quantities that are sometimes
identification only and are not intended as defini- represented by abbreviations in textual mate-
tions. Defining equations are given in a few cases rial, tables or graphs are required in the SPE
where further identifications may be needed. For the Symbols Standards to have single-letter kernels.
present, the specification of units and conditions of Examples are: gas-oil ratio (GOR), bottom-
measurement is left to the user. hole pressure (BHP), spontaneous potential
For convenience in dimensional checking of equa- (SP), static SP (SSP), which, respectively, have
tions, a column has been included giving the
dimensions of each quantity in terms of mass, - -
the following SPE Standard symbols: R,pbh,
~ S P ~, S S P .
length, time. temperature and electrical charge (m, B. Adopt the letter symbols of original or prior
L, t, T, q). The term various also appears in this author usage, where not in conflict with princi-
column for several symbols. This terminology per- ples C and D below.
mits maximum flexibility for quantities that may C. Adopt letter symbols consistent or parallel with
require different dimensions in different problems. the existing SPE Standard. minimizing conflicts
Examples are symbols: (1) m for slope of a line (two with that Standard.
variables of any dimensions can be related); (2) C D. Where pertinent, adopt the symbols already
for concentration (dimensions might be mi^^, standardized by such authorities as ANSI, ISO,
dimensionless or other); (3) F (factor) when it or IUPAP (see A); minimize conflicts with
represents ratio (dimensions might be ~ ~ l m m, , these Standards.
dimensionless or other). This flexibility in dimen- E . Limit the list principally to basic quantities,
sions permits desirable shortening of the symbols avoiding symbols and subscripts for combina-
list. tions, reciprocals, special conditions, etc.
F. Use initial letters of materials. phase. processes,
Additional standard symbols etc., for symbols and subscripts, as being
The extraordinary growth in all phases of petroleum suggestive and easily remembered.
and computer technology has necessitated the adop- G . Choose symbols that can be readily handwrit-
tion of additional standard symbols, since the ten, typed, and printed.
260 PETROLEUM ENGINEERING: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE
Principles of letter symbol standardization
A. Requirements for Pl~blishedQuantity.
Each published letter syrnbol should be:
1. Stundard, where possible. In the use of
pirblishcd symbols, authors of technical
works (including textbooks) are urged to
adopt the symbols in this and other current
standard lists and to conform to the princi-
ples stated here. An author should give a
table of the symbols used ancl their respec-
tive interpretations, or else refer to a stan-
dard list as a source for symbols used but not
explained. For work in a specialized or
developing field, an author may need syni-
bols in addition to those already contained in
standard lists. In such a case the author
should be careful to select simple suggestive
sylnbols that avoid conflict in the given field
and in other closely related special fields.
Except in this situation, the author should
not introduce new syrnbols or depart from
currently accepted notation.
2. Clear in reference. One should not assign to a
given symbol different meanings in such a
manner as to make its interpretation in a
given context anlbiguous. Conflicts must be
avoided. Often a listed alternative symbol or
a modifying subscript is available and should
he adopted. Except in brief reports, any
symbol not familiar to the reading public
should have its meaning defined in the tcxt.
The units should be indicated whenever
necessary.
3. Easily ident@~d. Because of the many
numerals, letters and signs that are similar in
appearance, a writer should be careful in
calling for separate symbols that in published
form might be confuscd by the reader. For
example. many lettcrs in the Greek alphabet
(lower case and capital) are practically indis-
tinguishable from English letters; the zero is
easily mistaken for a capital 0.
4. Econonzicul in publicatiorz. One should try to
keep at a minimum the cost of publishing
symbols. I11 particular: (1) Notations which
call for handsetting of movable type should
be rejected in favour o f forms adapted to
inodcrn mechanical methods of composition.
(2) No one work should use a great variety o f
types and special characters. (3) Handwrit-
ing of inserted symbols, in copy largely
typewritten and to be reproduced in facsi-
mile, should not be excessive. (4) Often :I
complicated expressioll appears as a cornpo-
nelit part of a complex mathematical f o r n ~ ~ ~ l a
- for example, as an exponent of a given
basc. Instead, one may introduce locally, a
single non-conflicting letter to stand for such
a complicated component. An explanatory
definition should then appear in the immedi-
ate context.
B. Secondary symbols. Subscripts and superscripts
are widely used and for a variety of convcntion-
al purposcs. For exalnplc, a subscript may
indicate: (I ) the place of a term in a sequence or
matrix; (2) a designated state, point, part, 01-
tirnc, or systern of units; (3) the constancy of
one independent physical quantity among
others on which a given quantity depends for its
value; (4) a variable with respect to which the
givcn quantity is a derivative. Like~/isc.for
example, a superscript may indicate: ( I ) the
exponent for a power, (2) a distinguishing label,
(3) a unit, or (4) a tensor index. The intended
sense must be clear i n each case. Several
subscripts or superscripts sometimes separated
by colllnias may be attached to a single lettcr. A
symbol with a superscript such as pl-ime (') or
second ("), or a tensor index, shoi~ldbe e11-
closed in parentheses, braces or brackets before
an exponent is attached. So far as logical clarity
permits, one should avoid attaching subscripts
and superscripts to subscripts and superscripts.
Abbreviations. themselves standarclized, may
appear among subscripts. A conventional sign,
or abbreviation. indicating the adopted unit
rnay be attached to a letter syrnbol, or corres-
~mndingnu~ncral. Reference marks, such as
n~lnlbersin distinctive type, rnay be attached to
words and abbreviations. hut not to letter
symbols.
C. Multiple subscript-position order. The wide
variety ancl complexity of suhject matter co-
vered in the petroleum literature nlakc it
impossible to avoid use of multiple subscripts
with many syrnbols. To make such usage less
confusing, the following guidcs were employed
for the order of appearance o f the indiviclual
letters in multiple subscripts in the syrnlx)ls list.
Use of the same rules is reconirnendcd when it
becomes necessary t o establish a multiple sub-
script notation that has not ~ C C I Iincluded in this
list.
1. When the subscript r for 'relative' is used, it
should appear first in subscdpt order. Ex-
amples: K,,,; K,,.
2. When the sulxcript i for 'injection' or
SPE NOMENCLATURE AND UNITS
'injected' or 'irreducible' is used, it should
appear first in subscript order (but after r for
'relative'). Examples: Big, formation
volume factor of injected gas; c,, compress-
ibility of injected gas.
3. Except for Cases 1 and 2 above (and
symbols Kh and L,), phase, composition and E.
system subscripts should generally appear
first in subscript order. Examples: B,,,
initial or original gas formation volume
factor; B,,, initial or original oil formation
volume factor; Co2,, initial or original ox-
ygen concentration; B,,, initial or original
total system formation volume factor; P s ~ ,
density of solid particles making up ex-
perimental pack; also F a , GLp,G,, GFI.
4. Abbreviation subscripts (such as 'ext , 'lim',
'max', 'min'), when applied to a symbol
already subscripted, should appear last in
subscript order and require that the basic
symbol and its initial subscript(s) be first F.
enclosed in parentheses. Examples: (i,),
(Shr)mln.
5. Except for Case 4 above. numerical sub-
scripts should appear last in subscript order.
Examples: qoD3, dimensionless oil produc-
tion rate during time period 3; p ~ 2reservoir
, the downstream mobility.
pressure at time 2; (iUl),,,, maximum air
injection rate during time period 1.
6. Except for Cases 4 and 5 above, subscript D
for 'dimensionless' should usually appear
last in subscript order. Examples: p , ~ q; , ~ ;
(qoD3)max
7. E x c e ~ tfor Cases 4. 5 and 6 above, the
folloking subscripts should usually appear
last in subscript order: regions such as bank,
burned. depleted, front, swept, unburned
(b, b, d, f,s, u); separation, differential and
flash (d, fl; individual component identifica-
tion (i orQl other). Examples: EDb;Rsf,npf
D. Typography. Letter symbols for physical quan-
tities, and other subscripts and superscripts,
whether upper case. lower case. or in small
capitals, when appearing as light-face letters of
the English alphabet, are printed in italic
(sloping) type. Arabic numerals, and letters or
other alphabets used in mathematical express-
ions, are normally printed in vertical type.
When a special alphabet is required. boldface
type is to be preferred to German, Gothic, or
script type. In material to be reproduced in
facsimile, from copy largely typewritten. letters
that would be boldface in print may be indicated
to be such by special underscoring, while the
few distinct letters used from other alphabets, if
carefully made, should be self-explanatory. It is
important to select a type face that has italic
forms, and clearly distinguished upper case,
lower case and small capitals. Only type faces
with serifs are recommended.
Remarks. Quantity symbols may be used in
mathematical expressions in any way consistent
with good mathematic51 usage. The product of
two quantities is indicated by writing ab. The
quotient may be indicated by writing
a
-. alb or ab-I
If more than one solidus is used in any
algebraic term, parentheses must be inserted to
remove any ambiguity. Thus: one may write
(a/b)lc,or albc, but not alblc.
Special notes. Observe the following:
1. When the mobilities involved are on oppo-
site sides of an interface, the mobility ratio
will be defined as the ratio of the displacing
phase mobility to the displaced phase mobil-
ity, or the ratio of the upstream mobility to
2. Abbreviated chemical formulas are used as
subscripts for paraffin hydrocarbons: C1 for
methane, C2 for ethane, Cg for propane . . .
Cn for CnH2n+2.
3. Complete chemical formulas are used as
subscripts for other materials: C 0 2 for
carbon dioxide, C O for carbon monoxide.
O2 for oxygen, N2 for nitrogen. etc.
4. The letter R is retained for electrical resistiv-
ity in well logging usage. The symbol p is to
be used in all other cases and is that
preferred by ASA.
5. The letter C is retained for conductivity in
well logging usage. The symbol a is to be
used in all other cases and is that preferred
by ASA.
6. Dimensions: L = length, m = mass, q =
electrical charge, t = time, and T = temper-
ature.
7. Dimensionless numbers are criteria for
geometric, kinematic and dynamic similarity
between two systems. They are derived by
one of three procedures used in methods of
similarity: integral, differentiaI, or dimen-
sional. Examples of dimensionless numbers
are Reynolds number (NRe) and Prandtl
number (Np,). For a discussion of methods
262 PETROLEUM ENGINEERING: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE
of similarity and dinlensionless numbcrs, sce
"Methods of Similarity", by R.B. Schilson,
J. Pet. Tech. (August, 1964) 877.
8. The quantity x can be modified to indicate
- the notation when hcat quantities, indcxcs
an average or mean value by an overbar, x.
Principles of computer symbol
standardization
A. Symbol Structure. The computer symbols are
structured ti-om four possible parts rcprcscllting
rcspectivcly arith~nctic mode, mathematical
operators, basic cluantitics and subscripts, ex-
clusive of time and space designations. Each of
these parts has a dcfincd number of characters
and, when ail are used in a single symbol, the
total length may he ten characters. Example
ten-character notations are:
XDELPRSTQQ, XDELC'MPPRD
When any of the four parts are not uscd, the
remaining characters are to be right- or left-
justified to form a string of characters without
blank positions.
In practice. the combined notatiolis will not
usually cxceed six characters. In those cases
where the complete colnpuier symhol does
cxceecl six characters, and the computer lan-
guage being used will not allow more than six, a
shortened notation must be employed. The part
of the notation representing the Insic mathcma-
tical quantity (letter) symbol should be retained
and the other parts of the notation shortcncd.
Shortened symbols are no longer standard, and
therefore must be defined in the text or appen-
dix as is appropriate.
1. The first part of tllc notation consists of one
character position to define the arithmetic
inode of the complete computer symbol. It
is suggested that X be uscd for floating point
variables and I for integers. This notation
position should be used only if absolutely
necessary, the preferred approach being the
use of a declaration within the program.
2. The second part of the notation (operator
field) consists of three characters and is ~ ~ s e d
for mathematical operators. The notation
should suggest the operation.
3. The third part of thc notation (clu~tntity
symbol ficld) consisting of threc charactcrs,
is uscd to represent the basic inathematical
quantity (letter) symbol. Thc three letter
notation rn~lcn~onically denotes the quantity
name as closely as possible. This part of the
computer notation is thus of the naturc of ~un
abbreviation. All three character positions
must be employeci.
Fixed characters are utilized in this part of
and exponents are being assigned computer
symbols. When a heat quantity is dcnotetl,
H appears in the first character positio~i,as
exc~nplifiedby thermal conductivity HCN.
Indexes such as resistivity index are denoted
by X in the third character position. Expo-
nents are characterized by XP in the second
and thil-d positions, such as porosity expo-
nent MXP.
4. The fourth part of the notation (subscript
field) is sect to represent the subscripts of
the inatheinatical letter symbol and normal-
ly consists of one of the three character
positions. Computer symbol subscripts are
nornlally designated by using thc mathema-
tical letter subscripts of the SPE Syrnbols
Standard.
Though usually not rccluired. more char-
acters may be used when necessary for
designation of multiple mathematical lcttcr
subscripts. For example, dilncnsionless
average I-eservoir pressure would be de-
noted by PRSAVQ.
The computer subscript designation is
placed irn~ncdiately to the right of the
quantity symbol ficld with no intervening
space.
Dimensionless numbers al-c denoted by Q
in thc last required subscript position. Aver-
age, maximum. minimum, extrapolated or
limiting valucs of a quantity are denoted
respectively by AV, MX, MN, XT, of LM in
the first two subscript positions; additional
subscripting occurs immediately to the right
of thcsc defined notations. Other than in
these cases, the order of subscripting should
follow the rules given in the 'Multiple
Subscripts - Position Order'.
5. No binding rule is made for the notation of
space and time subscripts, sincc the method
of subscripting is oftcn dictated by the
characteristics of a particular computer.
However, the vital importance of these
subscripts makes it necessary to establish a
standard and require an author to define
any deviations. The system outlined below
should be used when the subscripts are not
implied by an array location or an index
specified by the program logic.
The following sketch indicates the coor-
dinate system used to denote special posi-
SPE NOMENCLATURE AND UNITS
tion in multi-dimensional arrays.
I (I = 1,2,3,. . . , NX)
This convention was adopted so that the
page position of printed output obtained in
a normal I. J, K sequence would correspond D. Character set. The computer symbols must be
to position as viewed on maps as normally
used in petroleum engineering. Similarly, I.
K or J , K sequences would correspond to
cross-sections as normally used.
The space and time subscripts are con-
structed by placing a letter code (I. J, K, T)
before the following symbols:
Machine
Symbol Definition
P2 present location plus 2
P3H present location plus 312
P1 present location plus 1
P1H present location plus 112
M1H present location minus 112
MI present location minus 1
M3H present location minus 312
M2 present location minus 2
Hence, the subscript for the present time t
would be T , and that for subscript t-2 would be
TM2.
If an array contains information correspond-
ing to points halfway between the normally
indexed points, then the convention is to shift
the plus-direction elements to the node being F. Special notes. No computer symbols have been
indexed.
In the following example, the permeability
at the i-l/2 point would be referenced as
PRMIPlH(1 - I), and that for the i+l/2 point
would be referenced as PRMIPlH(1). See
sketch below.
B. Units. Each complete computer symbol repre-
sents a mathematical letter symbol and its associ-
ated subscripts. The mathematical letter symbol
in turn designates a physical quantity. Neither
the complete computer symbol nor the mathema-
tical letter symbol implies any specific units of
measure. Authors are urged to familiarize them-
selves with the SI System of units and use them as
much as practical. The choice of units (Trans.
AIME 263 (1977) 1685) and their designation is,
however, left to the author.
C. Restriction to computer programs. Use of the
computer symbols is restricted to the description
of programming for computers. As a consequ-
ence, the computer symbols must not be used in
works of portions of papers where programming
is not discussed or as abbreviations in text or
graphical material.
constructed from the 26 English letters and 10
Arabic numerical characters. Each complete
computer symbol must begin with a letter and
not a numeral.
The computer symbols are always represented
by vertical type in printed text. English capital
letters and Arabic numerals are used in hand or
typewritten material.
E. Nonstandard symbols. The rules for establishing
the computer symbols contained in this standard
are such that quantities not covered can, in most
instances, be given a notation that is compatible
with it. Such additional computer symbols are,
by definition, nonstandard.
Duplication of computer symbols for quanti-
ties that can occur simultaneously in an equation
or computer program must be avoided. Elimina-
tion of a duplication may lead to a computer
symbol that is at variance with the standard; i.e.,
a notation that is nonstandard.
When nonstandard computer symbols occur in
a technical work, they should be clearly defined
in the text or appendix, as is appropriate, and in
the program.
defined here for numerical quantities, functions,
and arithmetic, relational, or logical operators.
When employed in programs, their usage should
be fully explained by comments in the program
text. Some of these special cases are noted
below:
1. No computer symbols to designate common
or natural logarithms have been estab-
lished. Rather, these functions should be
designated by the notations compatible with
the computer system being employed. The
notation used should be defined in the
paper.
2. The computer symbol for dimensionless
numbers in general (unnamed dimension-
less numbers) is NUMQ. Named dimen-
264 PETROLEUMENGINEERING: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE

sionless numbers have the mnemonic title designation in Computer Symbols Subscript
designation in the field representing the List. (Only changes in the basic subscripts
quantity and a Q in the last subscript are shown. Combination subscripts that
position employed. Thus, Reynolds number contain these items are also changed accor-
is designated as REYQ. Similarly, Prandtl dingly .)
number could be designated as PRDQ, 2. Quantities represented by single symbol in
Grashof number as GRSQ, Graetz number SPE Letter Symbols Standard but by
as GRTQ. Any dimensionless ilirmber not symbol-subscript combination in Computer
contained in this standard should be defined Sy~nbolsList.
in the paper.
3. No computer subscript notations corres-
ponding to these mathematical letter sub-
scripts are established. See section G. SPE letter Quantity
4. No mathematical letter subscripts corres- symbol title
pond to these computer subscripts. See total inital gas in
section G . place in reservoir
MOLL moles of licli~idphase
6. Permissible format changes. 111 prcparing the NUMQ climensionless number
computer symbols it becail~cnecessary to modify in gcocral
the format of certain of the basic letter symbols, OlLTl initial oil in place
subscripts or symbol-subscript combinations. in reservoir
These changes are in accord with the Gencral VELV volumetric vclocity
(flow rate or flux,
Principles of Computer Symbol Standardization. per unit area)
They do not imply that changes in the form of the MOLV moles of vapour phase
economics, well logging and formation evalua- WTRTl initial water in place
tion, reservoir engineering, or natural gas en- in reservoir
gineering letter symbols as contained elsewhere MFRL mole fraction of
in this SPE Standard are authorized. Rather component in liq uicl
these changes are shown as a matter of record to phase
prevent confusion and to prescnt examples of MFRV molc fraction o f
permissible format changes in the computcr component in vapour
symbols that may be followed when it bccomes phase
MFRM mole fraction of
iecessary to construct a computer notation not component in
included in the list. mixturc
1. Basic symbolic subscripts of SPE Lettcr
Symbols Standard represented by different
3. Quantities represented by symbol-subscript
SPE letter Computer combination in SPE Letter Symbol\ Stan-
subscript s.ynibol Subscript title dard but by a Conlputer Sy~nbolNotation
CP capillary only.
Q dime~~sionless quantity
QM dimensionless quantity
at condilion m
6 EX experiment SPE letter
ext XT cxtrapolated symbol-
F FU fuel subscript Computer
lirn LM limiting value co~nbi~lation syn~bol Quantity title
m FU fucl (mass ol)
rnux MX maximunl kh HCN thermal conductiv~ty
min
-
MN minimum
P PAV Incan or average
pressure 4. Symbol-subscript combinations of SPE Let-
PRD pseudo-reduced ter Symbols Standard represented by Com-
RD reduccd
puter Symbol-Subscript Notation wherein
TQ din~ensionlesstimc
subscript notations are not the same.
SPE NOMENCLATURE AND UNITS 265

place of the full name of a quantity, unit, o r other

SPE letter
symbol- entity. Abbreviations are not acceptable in mathe-
subscript Computer Quantity matical equations. SPE provides a list of prefer-
combination symbol title red abbreviations in its 'Style Guide' for authors.
GL N G LT l initial condensate B. Computer Symbols - (for use in computer prog-
liquids in place rams) - a computer symbol is a letter or group of
in reservoir letters and numerals used to represent a specific
G~~ N G LP cumulative condensate physical or mathematic~lquantity in the writing
liquids produced and execution of computer programs. One com-
fie REYQ Reynolds number puter symbol may be employed to represent a
(dimensionless
number) group of quantities, properly defined. Computer
symbols are not acceptable as substitutes for letter
RTW GWRS gas solubility in water
symbols in the required mathematical ( e ~ u a t i o n -
al) developmentsAleadingup to comp;te'r prog-
5. subscripts of SPE Letter Symbols Standard rams. At the present time, all SPE computer
not assigned Computer Subscript Notations symbols employ capital letters and numerals.
as a result of actions noted in 4. C. Dimensions - dimensions identifv the vhvsical L ,

nature of or the general components making up a

specific physical quantity; SPE employs the five
SPE letter basic dimensions of mass, length, time, tempera-
subscript Subscript title ture, and electrical charge (m, L, t. T , q)."
L~ liquid produced, cumulative D. Letter symbols - (for use in mathematical equa-
(usually with condensate, tions) - a letter symbol is a single letter, modified
GLP) when appropriate by one or more subscripts or
Re Reynolds (used with Reynolds superscripts, used to represent a specific physical
number only, ATRe)
or mathematical quantity in a mathematical
sw solution in water (usually with
gas solubility in water, R,,) equation. A single letter may be employed to
represent a group of quantities, properly de-
fined. The same letter symbol should be used
6. Letter operator-symbol combination of consistently for the same generic quantity, or
SPE Letter Symbols Standard represented special values, being indicated by subscripts or
by Computer Symbol Notation only. superscripts.
E. Reserve symbols - a reserve symbol is a single
SPE letter Computer letter, modified when appropriate by one or
symbol symbol quantity Title more subscripts or superscripts, which can be
used as an alternate when two quantities (occur-
t TA C interval transit time ring in some specialized works) have the same
standard letter symbol. These conflicts may
Distinctions between, and descriptions of, result f r o q use of standard SPE symbols or
abbreviations, computer symbols, dimensions, subscript designations that are the same for two
letter symbols, reserve symbols, unit different quantities, or use of SPE symbols that
abbreviations and units conflict with firmly established, commonlv used
Confusion often arises as to the proper distinctions notations and signs from the fields of maihema-
tics, physics, and chemistry.
between abbreviations, computer symbols, dimen-
To avoid conflicting designations in these
sions, letter symbols, reserve symbols, unit abbre-
viations and units used in science and engineering. cases, use of reserve symbols, reserve subscripts,
The Society of Petroleum Engineers has adhered to and reserve symbol-reserve subscript combina-
tions is permitted, but only in of Jymbols
the following descriptions:
conflict. Author preference for the reserve svm-
A. Abbreviations - (for use in textual matter, tables, bols and subscripis does not justify their use. '
figures, and oral discussions) - an abbreviation is In making the choice as to which of two
a letter or group of letters that may be used in quantities should be given a reserve designation,
* Electrical charge is current times time, I S 0 uses: Mass (M), Length (L), Time (T), Temperature ( 0 ) , Electric current (I), Amount of
substance (N) and Luminous intensity (J).
266
an attempt should be made to retain the standard
SPE symbol for the quantity appearing more
frequently in the paper; otherwise, the standard
SPE symbol should be retained for the more
basic item (temperature, pressure, porosity, per-
meability, etc.).
Once a resel-ve designation for a quantity is
employed, it must be used consistently through-
out a paper. Use of an unsubscripted reserve
symbol for a quantity requires use of the satne
reserve symbol designation when subscripting is
rccluired. Reversion to the standard SPE symbol
or subscript is not permitted within a paper. For
larger works, such as books, consistency within a
chapter or section must be maintained.
The symbol nomenclature, which is a required
part of each work, must contain each reserve
notation that is used together with its definition.
F. Unit Abbreviations - a unit abbreviation is a
letter or group of letters (for example, cm for
centimeter), or in a few cases a special sign, that
may be used in place of the name of a unit. The
International Organization for Standardization
Examples
Letter
Abbrev. symbol
for text, for
tables, mathe-
figures, matical
Quantity oral use equations
gas-oil ratio, producing GOR R none
gas-oil ratio, initial Rs;
solution, initial solution GOR
productivity index PI J J
productivity index, SPI JS
specific
* Examples only; SPE has not standardized units.
Contrasting symbol usage
SPE and certain American Standards Association.
American National Standards Institute and Interna-
tional Organization for Standardization symbols lists
do not use the same letter synibols to represent
identical quantities. The variations in notations
result from the application of the SPE guidcs in
choosing symbols as detailed herein, the lack of
agreement between various ASA standards, the
ASA's policy of aliowing several sy~nbolsto repre-
sent the same quantity in any list and the large
number of quantities assigned sylnbols by the SPE.
It is to be emphasized that the symbols contained in
the SPE list are standard for use in petroleum
engineering, but the symbols of other disciplines as
sanctioned by the American Standards Association
should be used when working outside the area of
PETROLEUM ENGINEERING: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE
(fSO) and many other national and international
bodies concerned with standardization empha-
size the special character of these designations
and rigidly prescribe the manner in which the
unit abbreviations shall be developed and
treated.
G. Units - units express the system of measurement
used to quantify a specific physical quantity. In
SPE usage, units havc 'abbrcviations' but do not
have 'letter symbols'. Up to this time, SPE has
not standardized a general systc~iiof units, nor
units for irldiviclual quantities; it has signified
willingness, however, to join in a future natiol~al
. effort to convert from the English to a metric
system of units.
SPE's practices showing the above distinctions
are illustrated in the table of example quantities.
Authors can materially aid themselves, editors,
and readers by keeping the distinctions in mind
when prcparing papers for SPE review. Manu-
scripts submitted to SPE are subjcct to review on
these aspects before being accepted for publica-
tion.
Reserve
symbol
used only in Computer
case of symbol Unit
symbols for Dimen- abbrev.
conflict programs sions and units *
GOR none cu ft/BBL
none GORSl none cu ft/BBL
PDX L4t/m bldlpsi
IS PDXS ~ ~ t / m b/d/psi/ft
petroleum production. These ASA symbol stan-
dards are published by the Arncrican Society of
Mechanical Engineers, United Engineering Center,
345 East 47th Strcct, New York, N Y 10017.
The Society Board of Directors has approved the
SPE 1984 Symbols Standards, and recommends
them to the metnbership and to the industry. All
authors must include Nomenclatures in any manu-
script submitted to SPE for publication.
Acknowledgement
The work done in sorting and combining the various
standard lists by Schlumberger Well Scrvices
Engineering personnel in Houston, Texas and
Schlumberger-Doll Research Ccntcr personnel in
Ridgefield, Connecticut is gratefully acknowledged.

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