MATERIAL BALANCE

The concept of material balance is a fundamental physical

concept that is widely used in many branches of engineering.
The classical material balance method is based upon the law of
conservation of mass, which simply means that mass is conserved, i. e., it
is neither created nor destroyed.
The basic assumption made in this technique consists of the following:
• The reservoir is viewed as a homogeneous tank, i.e., rock and fluid
properties are the same throughout the reservoir
• Fluid production and injection occur at single production and single
injection point
• The analysis is the independent of the direction of fluid flow in the
reservoir
However, in reality,
• the reservoirs are not homogenous
• the production and injection wells are distributed areally
• the wells are activated in different times
• the reservoir fluid flow in definite directions
 MATERIAL BALANCE
In reservoir engineering, it is a powerful method of
1.Estimating Original Oil In Place (OOIP), Original Gas In Place (OGIP)
2.Predicting future reservoir performance
3.Predicting ultimate hydrocarbon recovery under various types of
primary drive mechanism such as gas cap, solution gas or water drive

This method is completely independent of the volumetric method and

therefore, serves to verify volumetric determination.
ADVANTAGE:
In permeable reservoirs, it can see the effects of OOIP and OGIP in
areas that have not been drilled yet.

DISADVANTAGE:
It can not be applied until after production has begun
The general material balance equation is simply a volumetric balance, which
states that since the volume of a reservoir (as defined by its initial limits) is a
constant, the algebraic sum of the volume changes of the oil, free gas, water and
rock volumes in the reservoir is zero.

For example, if both the oil and gas reservoir volumes decrease, the sum of these
two decreases must be balanced by changes of equal magnitude in the water and
rock volumes.
Rock
Matrix Porosity

Volume of Volume of
Rock Matrix Water,
Oil, or
Gas
If the assumption is made that complete equilibrium is attained at all times in the
reservoir between the oil and its solution gas , it is possible to write a generalized
material balance expression relating
• the quantities of oil, gas and water produced
• the average reservoir pressure
• the quantity of water that may have encroached from the aquifer, and finally
• the initial oil and gas content of the reservoir.
ABOVE SURFACE
SUB-SURFACE
Data requirements for Material Balance calculation
• Reservoir pressure
• Value of all the fluid withdrawals
• Accurate pressure/volume/temperature (PVT) data
( PVT relationship before the reservoir is put into production)

Oil and Gas are sold in terms volumes measured at standard conditions. This
means the material balance is more convenient to derive in terms of standard
volumes rather in terms of mass balance.
 Information (Data) required for material balance calculation:

• The initial reservoir pressure and the average reservoir pressure at successive
intervals after the start of production

• The stock tank barrels of oil produced, measured at 1 atm and 600 F, at any time
or during any production interval

• The total SCF of gas produced. (The amount of injected gas will be deducted in
case of gas injection)

• The ratio of the initial gas cap volume to the initial oil volume

• The gas and oil volume factors and the solution gas-oil ratio

• The quantity of water that has been produced

• The quantity of water that has been encroached into the reservoir from aquifer
 Assumptions made in deriving a Material Balance Equation:

1. The reservoir may have an initial vapour phase and an initial liquid
phase
2. The gas is allowed to dissolve in the liquid phase
3. The oil can be volatile in the vapour phase
4. Water is allowed to invade the reservoir from the aquifer during
production
5. The water and rock are compressible

OOIP = N = Gfgi Rvi + Nfoi…(1)
OGIP = G = Gfgi + Nfoi Rsi…(2)
N = initial total oil in the reservoir, L3, STB
Gfgi = initial gas in the free gas phase, L3, scf
Rvi = initial volatile-oil/gas ratio, L3/L3, STB/scf
Nfoi = initial oil in the free oil phase, L3, STB
G = initial total gas in the reservoir, L3, scf
Rsi = initial solution-gas/oil ratio, L3/L3, scf/STB
At some time after Np of oil ( in stock-tank barrel) and Gp of gas (in scf) are produced

The remaining oil Np = cumulative oil produced at time t, L3, STB

N – Np = Gfg Rv + Nfo ----- (3)
The remaining gas
G – Gp = Gfg + Nfo Rs ------(4)
Gfg = gas in the free gas phase at time t, L3, scf
Rv = volatile-oil/gas ratio at time t, L3/L3, STB/scf
Nfo = oil in the free oil phase at time t, L3, STB
Gp = cumulative produced at time t, L3, scf
Rs = solution-gas/oil ratio at time t, L3/L3, scf/STB
 Rearranging the equations gives Nfo = N – Np –Gfg Rv -------------(5)
Gfg = G – Gp – Nfo Rs --------------(6)
Solving these two simultaneous equations gives

Nfo = [ N – Np – (G – Gp)/Rv]/ (1 – RsRv) ------------------(7)

Gfg = [G – Gp – (N – Np)/Rs]/ (1 – RsRv) -------------------(8)

Substituting equations (1) and (2) into equations (7) and (8) gives

Gfg = [Gfgi + NfoiRsi – Gp – (Nfoi + GfgiRvi – Np)Rs]/(1 – RsRv) ……(9)

Nfo = [Nfoi + GfgiRvi – Np – (Gfgi + NfoiRsi – Gp)Rv]/(1 – RsRv) …….(10)

Eqs. (9) and (10) express the current standard volumes of oil and gas in the
reservoir in terms of initial standard volumes and produced standard volumes.
The reservoir control volume is now balanced.
The change in volumes of all phases in the control volume during production
must balance. The control volume is the original volume of the reservoir;
therefore

∆Vo + ∆Vg + ∆Vw + ∆Vr = 0 ………..(11)

Rock
Matrix Porosity

Volume of Volume
of
Rock Matrix
Water,
Oil, or
Gas
VolumeTotal = VRM + VF

1 = (1-φ
φ) + φ
To determine ∆Vo, the volume occupied by the oil phase before and after
production must be calculated.
The initial reservoir volume of the oil phase Voi = NfoiBoi

Current reservoir volume of the oil phase , Vo = (Nfoi + GfgiRvi – GfgRv – Np)Bo..(12)

∆Vo = NfoiBoi - (Nfoi + GfgiRvi – GfgRv – Np)Bo ------------------------------(13)

Similarly, to determine ∆Vg, the volume occupied by the gas phase before and
after production must be calculated.
Initial reservoir volume of the gas phase Vgi = GfgiBgi
Current reservoir volume of the gas phase
Vg = (Gfgi + NfoiRsi – NfoRs – Gp)Bg ------------------------(14)

∆Vg = GfgiBgi – (Gfgi + NfoiRsi – NfoRs – Gp)Bg ------------------------------------(15)

The change in the water –phase volume, ∆Vw, is the result of the water
compressibility, the water influx from the aquifer, and the water production.
If W is the initial reservoir water volume and VΦ is the initial void-space volume
and Swi is the initial water saturation, then

W = VΦSwi ----------------------------------------------- (16)

Current reservoir volume of the water phase Vw = We – Wp - ∆W -------------(17)

We = water encroachment from aquifer, L3, res bbl
Wp = cumulative water produced at time t, L3, STB
∆W = We - BwWp

Therefore,

∆Vw = - We + BwWp – VΦSwiCw∆p --------------------------------------------(18)

where ∆p = pi – p
∆Vw = - We + BwWp – VΦSwiCw∆p --------------------------------------------(18)
where ∆p = pi – p

The change in the rock volume is the negative of the change in the void space
volume; therefore ∆Vr = - VΦcf∆
∆p ------------------------(19)

Because VΦ is the total initial void space, it can be expressed as

NfoiBoi + GfgiBgi
VΦ = -------------------------- -----------------------------------(20)
1 – Swi

Substituting eq (20) into eq (18) and Eq (19) will give change

in water and rock volume
The change in volumes of all phases in the control volume during production
must balance. The control volume is the original volume of the reservoir;
therefore

∆Vo + ∆Vg + ∆Vw + ∆Vr = 0 ------------------------------- -- -(11)

Substituting all the values of in the above equation gives

NfoiBoi - (Nfoi + GfgiRvi – GfgRv – Np)Bo

+ GfgiBgi – (Gfgi + NfoiRsi – NfoRs – Gp)Bg

+ ( - We) + BwWp – (NfoiBoi + GfgiBgi)Ct∆

∆p = 0 -------------(21)

cf +CwSwi
Where ct = -------------- --------------------------------------------------------(22)
1 - Swi
Gfg = [Gfgi + NfoiRsi – Gp – (Nfoi + GfgiRvi – Np)Rs]/(1 – RsRv) ……(9)

Nfo = [Nfoi + GfgiRvi – Np – (Gfgi + NfoiRsi – Gp)Rv]/(1 – RsRv) …….(10)

Substituting Eqs. (9) and (10) into Eq. (21) and rearranging gives the general
material balance equation
Bo – RsBg Bg - RvBo
Np --------------- + Gp --------------- =
1 – RvRs 1 – RvRs

Nfoi{[Bo –Boi + Bg(Rsi – Rs) + Rv(BoiRs – BoRsi)]/(1 – RvRs)} +

Gfgi {[ Bg – Bgi + Bo (Rvi – Rv) + Rs(BgiRv – BgRvi)]/(1 – RvRs)} +

SwiCw + Cf
We – BwWp + (NfoiBoi + GfgiBgi) X ----------------- ∆p ------------------(23)
1 – Swi
Eq. (23) can be written as a compact form of the general material balance equation
in the form
F = NfoiEo + GfgiEg + ∆W + (NfoiBoi + GfgiBgi) Efw
Eo = oil expansion factor, L3/L3, RB/STB
Eg = gas expansion factor, L3/L3, RB/scf
Efw = formation water expansion factor, L3/L3, RB/STB
Bo – RsBg Bg - RvBo
Where F = Np --------------- + Gp --------------- ……………..(25)
1 – RvRs 1 – RvRs
Bo (1 – RvRsi) + (Rsi – Rs) Bg
Eo = Bto – Boi …..(26) Bto = -------------------------------------------- ---------(30)
1 - RsRv
Eg = Btg – Bgi ……..(27)
Bg (1 – RsRvi) + (Rvi – Rv) Bo
Cf + CwSwi Btg = -------------------------------------------- ----------(31)
Efw = --------------- ∆p ……(28) 1 - RsRv
1 – Sw

∆W = We – BwWp ……(29)
Frequently, it is more convenient to express gas production in terms of a
cumulative produced-gas/-oil ratio, Rp. In this case Eq. (25) which defines
reservoir voidage, becomes

Bo (1 – RvRp ) + (Rp – Rs) Bg

F = Np ------------------------------------------- ……………..(32)
1 – RvRs
 The gas cap volume sometimes is expressed in terms of r, the ratio of the
gas cap reservoir volume to the reservoir volume of the oil zone. The
equation for r is
GfgiBgi
r = ------------- ----------------------------------------------------(33)
NfoiBoi

In this case, the material-balance equation (24) can be written as

F = NfoiEo + NfoiBoirEg/Bg + ∆W + NfoiBoi (1+r)Efw ------------------------- (34)

 APPLICATION OF MBE
The change in volumes of all phases in the control volume during production
must balance. The control volume is the original volume of the reservoir;
therefore

∆Vo + ∆Vg + ∆Vw + ∆Vr = 0

Rock
Matrix Porosity

Volume of Volume
of
Rock Matrix
Water,
Oil, or
Gas
VolumeTotal = VRM + VF

1 = (1-φ
φ) + φ
The change in volumes of all phases in the control volume during production
must balance. The control volume is the original volume of the reservoir;
therefore

∆Vo + ∆Vg + ∆Vw + ∆Vr = 0

Substituting all the values of in the above equation gives

NfoiBoi - (Nfoi + GfgiRvi – GfgRv – Np)Bo

+ GfgiBgi – (Gfgi + NfoiRsi – NfoRs – Gp)Bg

+ ( - We) + BwWp – (NfoiBoi + GfgiBgi)Ct∆

∆p = 0 -------------(21)

cf +CwSwi
Where ct = -------------- --------------------------------------------------------(22)
1 - Swi
Gfg = [Gfgi + NfoiRsi – Gp – (Nfoi + GfgiRvi – Np)Rs]/(1 – RsRv) ……(9)

Nfo = [Nfoi + GfgiRvi – Np – (Gfgi + NfoiRsi – Gp)Rv]/(1 – RsRv) …….(10)

Substituting Eqs. (9) and (10) into Eq. (21) and rearranging gives the general
material balance equation
Bo – RsBg Bg - RvBo
Np --------------- + Gp --------------- =
1 – RvRs 1 – RvRs

Nfoi{[Bo –Boi + Bg(Rsi – Rs) + Rv(BoiRs – BoRsi)]/(1 – RvRs)} +

Gfgi {[ Bg – Bgi + Bo (Rvi – Rv) + Rs(BgiRv – BgRvi)]/(1 – RvRs)} +

SwiCw + Cf
We – BwWp + (NfoiBoi + GfgiBgi) X ----------------- ∆p ------------------(23)
1 – Swi
Eq. (23) can be written as a compact form of the general material balance equation
in the form
F = NfoiEo + GfgiEg + ∆W + (NfoiBoi + GfgiBgi) Efw

Eo = oil expansion factor, L3/L3, RB/STB

Eg = gas expansion factor, L3/L3, RB/scf
Efw = formation water expansion factor, L3/L3, RB/STB

Bo – RsBg Bg - RvBo
Where F = Np ----------------- + Gp --------------- ……………..(25)
1 – RvRs 1 – RvRs
the general material balance equation in the form
F = NfoiEo + GfgiEg + ∆W + (NfoiBoi + GfgiBgi) Efw

Eo = Bto – Boi …..(26)

Bo (1 – RvRsi) + (Rsi – Rs) Bg

Bto = ------------------------------------------------(30)
1 - RsRv
Eg = Btg – Bgi ……..(27)

Bg (1 – RsRvi) + (Rvi – Rv) Bo

Btg = -------------------------------------------- ----------(31)
1 - RsRv

Cf + CwSwi
Efw = --------------- ∆p ……(28)
1 – Sw

∆W = We – BwWp ……(29)
Frequently, it is more convenient to express gas production
in terms of a cumulative produced-gas/-oil ratio, Rp. In this
case Eq. (25) which defines reservoir voidage, becomes

Bo (1 – RvRp ) + (Rp – Rs) Bg

F = Np ------------------------------------------- ……………..(32)
1 – RvRs
The gas cap volume sometimes is expressed in terms of r,
the ratio of the gas cap reservoir volume to the reservoir
volume of the oil zone. The equation for r is
GfgiBgi
r = ------------- -------------------------------------(33)
NfoiBoi
In this case, the material-balance equation (24) can be written
as

F = NfoiEo + NfoiBoirEg/Bg + ∆W + NfoiBoi (1+r)Efw ----- (34)

 TYPES OF RESERVOIRS
If the reservoir temperature is above the critical temperature of the
hydrocarbon system, the reservoir is classified as a natural gas
reservoir
OIL RESERVOIR: reservoir temperature is less
than Tc

GAS RESERVOIR
 DRY GAS RESERVOIR

The compact form of the general material balance equation is

F = NfoiEo + GfgiEg + ∆W + (NfoiBoi + GfgiBgi) Efw

There is no hydrocarbon – liquid phase in dry gas reservoirs; therefore

Nfoi = 0 and Rvi = Rv = 0, the material balance equation reduces to
F = GfgiEg + ∆W + GfgiBgi Efw

The definition of the terms are

F = GpBg Neglected as gas normally has a much
Eg = Bg – Bgi and higher compressibility than water and rock
Btg = Bg

If aquifer influx is also negligible then MBE reduced to

GpBg = Gfgi (Bg – Bgi)

most commonly used equation to analyse normal volumetric gas reservoir
 GpBg = Gfgi (Bg – Bgi)
Gas material balance plot GpBg vs. Bg – Bgi

Which has an intercept, b of b = 0 and a slope , m , of m = Gfgi if the reservoir

has no water influx and the formation compressibility is negligible
If the line in the plot is not straight but
curves upward, it usually means that
∆W is not negligible and that a
waterdrive is present

If the line in the plot is not straight but

curved downweard, it usually means
that Efg is not negligible and that the
formation compressibility is
comparable with gas compressibility
 Bg could be calculated from
zTps z = gas – compressibility factor
Bg = ------------ T = reservoir temperature, T , 0R
pTs p = current reservoir pressure, psia
ps and Ts = pressure and temperature at std. cond.

GpzTps GfgiTps z zi
----------- = ------------- ---- - ------
pTs Ts p pi
After eliminating common terms and rearranging, the MBE
becomes

p pi piGp
--- = ---- - -----------
z zi ziGfgi
 p pi piGp
--- = ---- - -----------
z zi ziGfgi

The better-known plot for volumetric gas

reservoirs is p/z vs. Gp which has
an intercept on the y axis of b = pi/zi
An intercept on the x axis of b = Gfgi and
Slope of m = pi/(ziGfgi).
OGIP can be determined from the intercept on the x axis and
Gas recovery at any particular value of p/z can be read directly from the plot
If the line in the plot is not straight but curves upward, it usually means that ∆W is not
negligible and that a waterdrive is present
If the line in the plot is not straight but curved downeard, it usually means that Efg is
not negligible and that formation and gas compressibilities are comparable.
 WATER DRIVE GAS RESERVOIR

There is no hydrocarbon – liquid phase in dry gas reservoirs; therefore

Nfoi = 0 and Rvi = Rv = 0, the material balance equation reduces to
F = GfgiEg + ∆W + GfgiBgi Efw
In dry gas reservoir with a water drive, the above equation can be rearranged as
F ∆W
----------------- = Gfgi + -----------------
Eg + BgiEfw Eg + BgiEfw
∆W increases nonlinearly with production and time,
which suggest that a plot of
F
------------------ vs. t (or Gp)
Eg + BgiEfw
is horizontal and equal to Gfgi if there is no
waterdrive but that its slope would increase with
time if waterdrive present
 GAS /CONDENSATE RESERVOIR
Gas/condensate material balance is similar to dry-gas material balance except that
some extra terms appear in the definition of variables. Because there is no initial free oil
in place (Nfoi = 0), the material balance equation is

F = GfgiEg + ∆W + GfgiBgi Efw

Where Eg = Btg - Bgi

cf + cwSwi
Efw = ------------------ ∆p ∆W = We – Bw(Wp – Wi)
1 – Sw
Bg (1 – RsRvi) + (Rvi – Rv) Bo
Btg = --------------------------------------------
1 - RsRv
Bo (1 – RvRsi) + (Rsi – Rs) Bg
Bto = --------------------------------------------
1 - RsRv
GAS /CONDENSATE RESERVOIR
 Bo – RsBg Bg - RvBo
Where F = Np --------------- + (Gp – Gi ) ---------------
1 – RvRs 1 – RvRs
Because gas injection (cycling) is common in gas/condensate
reservoir, the gas-injection term is included. Water injection is not
commonly used: however it has tried with some success and may
be used more frequently in the future. Therefore the waterinjection
term, Wi, has been included.

It is apparent from these equations that four PVT properties (Bg,

Bo, Rv, Rs) are needed to apply the material balance equation
lower than dewpoint pressure.
 While the pressure remains higher
than dewpoint pressure
Rv = Rvi = Np/Gp and in that case
Btg = Bg and Eg = Bg – Bgi and
F = Bg (Gp – Gi).

Higher than the dewpoint pressure, Bo and Rs are

not defined , because there is no liquid phase

Higher than the bubble point pressure, Bg and Rv are not defined, because there
is no gas phase exist
Rs = 1/Rvi and Bo = Bg/Rvi = BgRs, higher than dewpoint pressure
 UNDERSATURATED OIL RESERVOIRS
The general material-balance equation
F = NfoiEo + GfgiEg + ∆W + (NfoiBoi + GfgiBgi) Efw

for under-saturated oil reservoir it reduces to

F = Nfoi (Eo + BoiEfw) + ∆W

This equation applies to any undersaturated –oil reservoir, including volatile oil
reservoirs and where Cf and Cw are not negligible.

In the past, the practice has been to neglect Cf and Cw when the
pressure is below the bubblepoint and for that situation neglecting
Cf and Cw leads to error of only 3 to 5 % for reservoir of normal
compressibility. Neglecting Cf and Cw when the pressure is above
bubblepoint leads to large errors (order of 50%).
 F = Nfoi (Eo + BoiEfw) + ∆W
For non-volatile oil reservoir, the terms are

F = Np (Bo –RsBg) +GpBg or

F = Np(Bt – RsiBg) + GpBg

cf + cwSwi
Eo = Bto – Boi , where Bto = Bo + Bg (Rsi – Rs)
Efw = ------------------ ∆p
1 – Sw

Frequently, it is more convenient to express gas production in terms of a cumulative

produced –gas/oil ratio, Rp = Gp/Np

F = Np [Bo + ( Rp – Rs)Bg] or

F = Np [Bto + (Rp – Rsi)bg]

 Undersaturated oil reservoir with no water drive

F = Nfoi (Eo + BoiEfw) + ∆W

Neglecting ∆W, the above equation will be

F = Nfoi (Eo + BoiEfw)

PLOT F vs. Eo + BoiEfw

If linear, this plot has a slope , m, of m = Nfoi (OOIP) and the intercept, b, of b = 0

If the plot curves up , it means that a waterdrive is active and ∆W cannot be neglected.

If the plot curves down, it means that Efw has been neglected or underestimated
 Undersaturated oil reservoir with a water drive

F = Nfoi (Eo + BoiEfw) + ∆W

The above equation can be rearranged as

F ∆W
----------------- = Nfoi + -----------------
Eo + BoiEfw Eo + BoiEfw

∆W increases nonlinearly with production and time, which suggest that a plot of
F
------------------ vs. t (or Np)
Eo + BoiEfw
is horizontal and equal to Nfoi if there is no waterdrive
but increases with time if there is a waterdrive
If enough pressure and production data are obtained early in the life of a reservoir ,
presence or absence of water drive established early and future reservoir
management can be planned accordingly.
 VOLATILE – OIL RESERVOIRS

If the gas that comes out

of solution contains
significant quantities of
volatile liquids. Normally
such oil would contain >
500 scf/STB of dissolved
gas, Rsi, and the liquid
content of the gas phase ,
Rvi, would be > 20
STB/MMscf.
The fluid properties required for such reservoir are the same
four parameters required for gas/condensates: Bg, Bo, Rs, Rv.
For volatile oil reservoir, the material balance equation and plots are same but the
definition of terms is more complicated

Bo – RsBg Bg - RvBo
Where F = Np --------------- + (Gp – Gi ) ---------------
1 – RvRs 1 – RvRs
Bo (1 – RvRsi) + (Rsi – Rs) Bg
Bto = --------------------------------------------
1 - RsRv
The equation which expresses gas production in terms of a cumulative produced
gas/oil ratio, is

Bo(1 – RvRp) + ( Rp – Rs)Bg

F = Np -----------------------------------------
1 - RvRs