Superposition, build-up test,

convolution
 Principle of superposition
Diffusion equation is linear, which implies that the principle of superposition can be used to
construct solutions.
Most of the methods to solve the diffusion equation such as Laplace transforms, Green’s
functions, separation of variables, etc., can be used only on linear DE.
In general, a differential operator M that operates on a function F is linear if it has the following
two properties:
𝑀𝑀 𝐹𝐹1 + 𝐹𝐹2 = 𝑀𝑀 𝐹𝐹1 + 𝑀𝑀 𝐹𝐹2
𝑀𝑀 𝑐𝑐𝐹𝐹1 = 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝐹𝐹1
where F1 and F2 are any two differentiable functions, and c is any constant.

𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝑃𝑃1 𝑟𝑟,𝑡𝑡 𝜕𝜕𝑃𝑃2 𝑟𝑟,𝑡𝑡

Partial differentiation is a linear operation, since 𝑃𝑃1 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑃𝑃2 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 = +
𝜕𝜕𝑡𝑡 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕

𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝑃𝑃1 𝑟𝑟,𝑡𝑡
And 𝑐𝑐𝑃𝑃1 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑐𝑐
𝜕𝜕𝑡𝑡 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕

Diffusion equation
1) If the coefficients 𝜙𝜙, 𝑘𝑘, 𝜇𝜇 are constants or functions of r or t, the equation
𝜕𝜕 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙 1 𝜕𝜕 𝑘𝑘𝜌𝜌 𝜕𝜕𝑃𝑃 would still be linear, albeit more difficult to solve.
= 𝑟𝑟
𝜕𝜕𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 𝜕𝜕𝑟𝑟 𝜇𝜇 𝜕𝜕𝑟𝑟 2) If any of the coefficients were functions of pressure, the equation would no
longer be linear. It is the case for gas or “stress-sensitive” reservoirs (k varies
with P).
 Principle of superposition
The importance of linearity is that it allows us to create new solutions to the diffusion equation
by adding together previously known solutions.

Care must be taken with the initial conditions and boundary conditions.

Assume P1 and P2 are solutions to the diffusion equation and each satisfies IC and BCs. Then:
𝑃𝑃1 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 = 0 + 𝑃𝑃2 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 = 0 = 2𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 which is wrong!

To overcome the difficulty, use ∆𝑃𝑃 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − 𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 . This satisfies the linearity of the diffusion
equation:
𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡
𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − 𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 = − =−
𝜕𝜕𝑡𝑡 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕
𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕∆𝑃𝑃1 𝜕𝜕∆𝑃𝑃2 𝜕𝜕𝑃𝑃1 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 𝜕𝜕𝑃𝑃2 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡
Or for different P1 and P2: ∆𝑃𝑃1 + ∆𝑃𝑃2 = + =− −
𝜕𝜕𝑡𝑡 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕

IC is also clearly satisfied: ∆𝑃𝑃|𝑡𝑡=0 = 0

BC at the far boundary is: ∆𝑃𝑃|𝑟𝑟=∞ = 0

𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕∆𝑃𝑃
And the 2nd BC at the wellbore is satisfied since: 𝑟𝑟 = 𝑟𝑟
𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕
 Pressure build-up test
In a pressure build-up test, a well that has been producing fluid at constant Q for some time t is
then “shut-in”. The pressure will eventually rise back to Pi. The rate 𝜕𝜕𝑃𝑃⁄𝜕𝜕𝑡𝑡 can be used to
estimate permeability (k) or transmissivity (kH).

1. Imagine production at Q, starting at 𝑡𝑡 = 0

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2
∆𝑃𝑃1 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − 𝑃𝑃1 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 = − 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 −
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 4𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘

2. Consider that at some t1, we begin to inject fluid into the reservoir at a rate Q. Then: i) the
“elapsed time” in the solution must be 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡1 ; ii) the “production” rate is “−𝑄𝑄”

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2
∆𝑃𝑃2 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − 𝑃𝑃2 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 = + 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 − Keep in mind that 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 = 0 for 𝑡𝑡 < 𝑡𝑡1
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 4𝑘𝑘 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡1

Superimpose these two solution for the drawdown: ∆𝑃𝑃 = ∆𝑃𝑃1 + ∆𝑃𝑃2
Since the diffusion equation is linear, ∆𝑃𝑃 is also a solution.

i) For 𝑡𝑡 < 𝑡𝑡1 there is no injection, production at rate Q.

ii) For 𝑡𝑡 > 𝑡𝑡1 production at rate Q and injection at rate Q, therefore shut-in.
 Pressure build-up test
𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2 𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2
∆𝑃𝑃 = ∆𝑃𝑃1 + ∆𝑃𝑃2 = − 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 − + 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 −
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 4𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 4𝑘𝑘 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡1

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2

=− 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 − − 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 −
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 4𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 4𝑘𝑘 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡1

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2

Recall that ∆𝑃𝑃 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − 𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 therefore: 𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 + 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 − − 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 −
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 4𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 4𝑘𝑘 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡1
For t sufficiently large 𝑡𝑡𝐷𝐷 > 25 we can use the logarithmic approximation for both terms:

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 2.246𝑘𝑘 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡1

𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln − ln
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2
𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘 2.246𝑘𝑘
= 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln 𝑡𝑡 + ln − ln 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡1 − ln
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 𝑡𝑡
𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡1
 Pressure build-up test
𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 𝑡𝑡
𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡1

Rename the periods of time according to the usual nomenclature:

• Duration of production 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 , not 𝑡𝑡1 ;

• Duration of shut-in period ∆𝑡𝑡, not 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡1 .

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 + ∆𝑡𝑡

𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 ∆𝑡𝑡
𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 +∆𝑡𝑡
Horner Time, 𝑡𝑡𝐻𝐻 = , possesses the following properties
∆𝑡𝑡
• Dimensionless;
• Becomes smaller as the duration of the shut-in period increases.
Pw

tp ∆t
t
 Superposition equation analysis
𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘 𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 + ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆 + ln ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2 4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2

Production at Q Injection at Q

• During production period

the 2nd logarithmic term
and the shut-in time are
both zeros.

• Pressure build-up can be

described as injection at
Q starting from the
wellbore pressure at the
end of production.
 Superposition equation analysis
𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘 𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 + ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆 + ln ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2 4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2

Production at Q Injection at Q

By combining all the logarithmic terms directly we obtain the Horner Time method.

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 + ∆𝑡𝑡

𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 ∆𝑡𝑡
 Superposition equation analysis
𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘 𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 + ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆 + ln ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2 4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2

Production at Q Injection at Q

We can find the pressure at the end of production using:

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , ∆𝑡𝑡 = 0 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2

Soon after the well is shut-in, which implies ∆𝑡𝑡 ≪ 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 the pressure build-up equation can be
approximated:
𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘 𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , ∆𝑡𝑡 → 0 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆 + ln ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2 4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2
 Superposition equation analysis
𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘 𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 + ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆 + ln ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2 4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘 𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘

𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , ∆𝑡𝑡 → 0 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆 + ln ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2 4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2

𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , ∆𝑡𝑡 → 0

𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , 𝑡𝑡 is the exact solution 𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , 𝑡𝑡

𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , ∆𝑡𝑡 → 0 is approximated for early shut-

in time, i.e. when ∆𝑡𝑡 ≪ 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝
 Superposition equation analysis
𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘 𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 + ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆 + ln ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2 4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2

Production at Q Injection at Q

We can find the pressure at the end of production using:

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , ∆𝑡𝑡 = 0 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2

Soon after the well is shut-in, which implies ∆𝑡𝑡 ≪ 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 the pressure build-up equation can be
approximated:
𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘 𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , ∆𝑡𝑡 → 0 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆 + ln ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2 4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2

The first 2 terms of the pressure build-up can be expressed using the pressure at the end of
production:

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , ∆𝑡𝑡 ≪ 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 = 𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , ∆𝑡𝑡 = 0 + ln ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln 2
+ 2𝑆𝑆 MDH method
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤
 Superposition equation analysis
𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘 𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 + ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆 + ln ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2 4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2

Production at Q Injection at Q

We can find the pressure at the end of production using:

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , ∆𝑡𝑡 = 0 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2

From the equation above, we can express the initial reservoir pressure as:
𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 = 𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , ∆𝑡𝑡 = 0 + ln 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2

Substituting the expression for the initial reservoir pressure into the full pressure build-up
equation yields:
Agarwal (equivalent time) method

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 ∆𝑡𝑡 � 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 2.246𝑘𝑘

𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , ∆𝑡𝑡 = 0 + ln + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 ∆𝑡𝑡 + 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2
 Estimating skin factor
If the wellbore is affected by skin, the logarithmic solution for the wellbore pressure becomes:

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 4𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2 𝛽𝛽

During the build-up test and using the superposition principle:

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ∆𝑃𝑃1 + ∆𝑃𝑃2 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 + ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2
𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
+ ln ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2

If the shut-in time, ∆𝑡𝑡, is much less than 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 , the first two terms of the above equation become:

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − ln 𝑡𝑡𝑝𝑝 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆 = 𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 ∆𝑡𝑡 = 0
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2
And the pressure at the wellbore during early shut-in:
𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 = 𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 ∆𝑡𝑡 = 0 + ln ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2
 Estimating skin factor
𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 = 𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 ∆𝑡𝑡 = 0 + ln ∆𝑡𝑡 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2

Compare with the equation of straight line: 𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 = 𝑚𝑚 ln ∆𝑡𝑡 + 𝑏𝑏

𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇
The slope, 𝑚𝑚, is given by: 𝑚𝑚 =
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋
And the intercept, 𝑏𝑏 can be obtained from the equation when ln ∆𝑡𝑡 = 0 and is given by:
𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 2.246𝑘𝑘
𝑏𝑏 = 𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 ∆𝑡𝑡 = 1 ℎ𝑟𝑟 = 𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 ∆𝑡𝑡 = 0 + ln + 2𝑆𝑆
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2

1 𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 ∆𝑡𝑡 = 1 ℎ𝑟𝑟 − 𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 ∆𝑡𝑡 = 0 2.246𝑘𝑘

SI units ln: 𝑆𝑆 = − ln
2 𝑚𝑚 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2

𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 ∆𝑡𝑡 = 1 ℎ𝑟𝑟 − 𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 ∆𝑡𝑡 = 0 ℎ𝑟𝑟 𝑘𝑘

Field units log10: 𝑆𝑆 = 1.151 − log10 + 3.23
𝑚𝑚 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2
 Horner time method - example
Reservoir and fluid properties
Property Value Property Value
Q 150 STB/D tp 72 hours
φ 0.25 B 1.152 bbl/STB
H 14 ft µ 5 cp
rw 0.2 ft Ct 10-5 psi-1

Shut-in pressure data

∆t (hr) Pw (psi) ∆t (hr) Pw (psi) ∆t (hr) Pw (psi) ∆t (hr) Pw (psi)
0.001 1690 0.04 1700 1 1787 8 1840
0.002 1692 0.06 1710 3 1810 15 1850
0.01 1694 0.3 1761 6 1825 60 1878

Use line-source solution – at the wellbore, ln → log10 , STCRC, skin factor, field units

162.6𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤 , 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 − log10 − 3.23 + 0.869𝑆𝑆
𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2
 Horner time method - example
Recommended procedure for the analysis

1. Plot the shut-in bottom-hole pressure, 𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤, vs. 𝑡𝑡𝐻𝐻 on a semi-log scale;

IARF

2. Identify the data exhibiting Infinite-Acting Radial Flow (IARF; i.e. applicability of the
line-source solution)
 Horner time method - example

IARF

3. Draw a straight line through the selected data and find the slope, m;
1775 − 1840 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝�
𝑚𝑚 = = −65 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
log10 100 − log10 10
4. Read 𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 ∆𝑡𝑡 = 1 ℎ𝑟𝑟 ;
72 + 1
𝑡𝑡𝐻𝐻 ∆𝑡𝑡 = 1 ℎ𝑟𝑟 = = 73 𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 ∆𝑡𝑡 = 1 ℎ𝑟𝑟 = 1788 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝
1
 Horner time method - example

𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 ∆𝑡𝑡 = 0 ℎ𝑟𝑟

IARF

162.6𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇
5. Calculate permeability from the slope, m; 𝑘𝑘 = ≈ 154 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
𝐻𝐻 𝑚𝑚

6. Calculate skin factor, S;

𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 ∆𝑡𝑡 = 1 ℎ𝑟𝑟 − 𝑃𝑃𝑤𝑤 ∆𝑡𝑡 = 0 ℎ𝑟𝑟 𝑘𝑘
𝑆𝑆 = 1.151 − log10 + 3.23 = −4.37
𝑚𝑚 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑤𝑤2
 Horner time method - example

IARF

7. Extrapolate the slope, m to 𝑡𝑡𝐻𝐻 = 1 (why?) to find 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 .

𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 = 1900 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝

 Multirate flow tests
The superposition principle can be used in the more general situation in which the production
rate is changed by discrete amounts at various time intervals.
Imagine that the production rate is given by:

𝑄𝑄 = 𝑄𝑄0 for 0 < 𝑡𝑡 < 𝑡𝑡1

𝑄𝑄 = 𝑄𝑄1 for 𝑡𝑡 > 𝑡𝑡1
To find the drawdown, superpose the solution for production at rate 𝑄𝑄0 starting at time 𝑡𝑡 = 0,
plus a solution starting at 𝑡𝑡1 that corresponds to the increment in the production rate, 𝑄𝑄1 − 𝑄𝑄0 :

𝜇𝜇𝑄𝑄0 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2 𝜇𝜇 𝑄𝑄1 − 𝑄𝑄0 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2

∆𝑃𝑃 = ∆𝑃𝑃1 + ∆𝑃𝑃2 = − 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 − − 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 −
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 4𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 4𝑘𝑘 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡1
𝜇𝜇𝑄𝑄0 2.246𝑘𝑘 𝜇𝜇 𝑄𝑄1 − 𝑄𝑄0 2.246𝑘𝑘
=+ ln 𝑡𝑡 + ln + ln 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡1 + ln
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2 4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2

To verify that it is correct to use the flowrate increment, note that for 𝑡𝑡 > 𝑡𝑡1 , the first 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 function
corresponds to a flowrate of 𝑄𝑄0 , and the second corresponds to a rate of 𝑄𝑄1 − 𝑄𝑄0 , so the total
flowrate is 𝑄𝑄 𝑡𝑡 > 𝑡𝑡1 = 𝑄𝑄0 + 𝑄𝑄1 − 𝑄𝑄0 = 𝑄𝑄1
 Multi-rate flow tests
The drawdown in the general case in which flowrate 𝑄𝑄𝑖𝑖 commences at time 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖 can
therefore be represented by

𝜇𝜇𝑄𝑄0 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2 𝜇𝜇 𝑄𝑄𝑖𝑖 − 𝑄𝑄𝑖𝑖−1 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2

∆𝑃𝑃 = − 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 − −� 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 −
4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 4𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 4𝑘𝑘 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖
𝑖𝑖=1

We can simplify the notation by defining the pressure drawdown per unit of flowrate, with
production starting at 𝑡𝑡 = 0, as ∆𝑃𝑃𝑄𝑄 𝑡𝑡 . For the line-source in an infinite reservoir, this definition
takes the form:
∆𝑃𝑃 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡, 𝑄𝑄 𝜇𝜇 𝜙𝜙𝜙𝜙𝐶𝐶𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟 2
∆𝑃𝑃𝑄𝑄 ≡ ≡− 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 −
𝑄𝑄 4𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 4𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘

with the understanding that ∆𝑃𝑃𝑄𝑄 𝑡𝑡 = 0 when 𝑡𝑡 < 0.

Using definition of ∆𝑃𝑃𝑄𝑄 , the drawdown in a multi-rate test can be written as:

∆𝑃𝑃 = 𝑄𝑄0 ∆𝑃𝑃𝑄𝑄 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 + � 𝑄𝑄𝑖𝑖 − 𝑄𝑄𝑖𝑖−1 ∆𝑃𝑃𝑄𝑄 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖

𝑖𝑖=1
 Convolution and variable-rate
flow test
The superposition formula can be generalised further, to the case where the flowrate at the well
is some arbitrary (but continuous) function of time, 𝑄𝑄 𝑡𝑡 .

We first note that an arbitrary production schedule can always be approximated by a discrete
number of time periods during which the flowrate is constant, as shown:

Q5

t
t0 t1 t2 t3 t4 t5 t6 t7 t8 t9 t10
Recall that the time derivative of the flow rate can be approximated as:
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 ∆𝑄𝑄 𝑄𝑄𝑖𝑖 − 𝑄𝑄𝑖𝑖−1
� ≈ =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑡𝑡 ∆𝑡𝑡 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖 − 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖−1
𝑖𝑖
 Convolution and variable-rate
flow test
The flow rate increment can be approximated as:

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑄𝑄𝑖𝑖 − 𝑄𝑄𝑖𝑖−1 ≈ � 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖−1
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑡𝑡 𝑖𝑖
𝑖𝑖

Using this approximation for the multi-rate expression:

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖
∆𝑃𝑃 = 𝑄𝑄0 ∆𝑃𝑃𝑄𝑄 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 + � 𝑄𝑄𝑖𝑖 − 𝑄𝑄𝑖𝑖−1 ∆𝑃𝑃𝑄𝑄 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖 = 𝑄𝑄0 ∆𝑃𝑃𝑄𝑄 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 + � ∆𝑃𝑃𝑄𝑄 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖 − 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖−1
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑖𝑖=1 𝑖𝑖=1

As 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖 − 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖−1 becomes smaller, the approximation also becomes more accurate and when the
time increment approaches zero the sum becomes integral:
𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖 =𝑡𝑡
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖
∆𝑃𝑃 = 𝑄𝑄0 ∆𝑃𝑃𝑄𝑄 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 + � ∆𝑃𝑃𝑄𝑄 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖 𝑑𝑑𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖 =0

The integral ends at 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖 = 𝑡𝑡, because when 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖 > 𝑡𝑡, the function ∆𝑃𝑃𝑄𝑄 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖 is zero, by definition.
Physically, this reflects the fact that a change in 𝑄𝑄 that occurs at a time later than 𝑡𝑡 cannot
possibly have an effect on the drawdown at time 𝑡𝑡.
 Convolution and variable-rate
flow test
𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖 =𝑡𝑡
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖
∆𝑃𝑃 = 𝑄𝑄0 ∆𝑃𝑃𝑄𝑄 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 + � ∆𝑃𝑃𝑄𝑄 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖 𝑑𝑑𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖 =0

Finally, as time increments become infinitely small, 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖 evolves into a continuous variable, 𝜏𝜏.
𝑡𝑡
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑖
∆𝑃𝑃 = 𝑄𝑄0 ∆𝑃𝑃𝑄𝑄 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 + � ∆𝑃𝑃𝑄𝑄 𝑟𝑟, 𝑡𝑡 − 𝜏𝜏 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
0

Convolution integral

The formula is known as Duhamel’s principle.

The importance of the Duhamel’s equation is that it allows us to find ∆𝑃𝑃 for any production
schedule, by merely performing a single integral utilising the “constant-flowrate” solution.