Volumetric heat capacity of a reservoir is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a unit volume of the reservoir (including the rock and the fluids it contains, such as petroleum, water, and gas) by one degree. It’s a used especially in thermal recovery processes like steam injection or in-situ combustion, where heat transfer plays a critical role in mobilizing oil.
Volumetric Heat Capacity of a Reservoir Formula |
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| \( M_r \;=\; (1 - n) \cdot M_s + n \cdot M_o \cdot S_o + n \cdot S_w \cdot M_w + n \cdot S_g \cdot \left( f \cdot M_g + ( 1 - f ) \cdot \left( \dfrac{ L_v \cdot \rho_s }{ \Delta T } + \rho_s \cdot C_w \right) \right) \) | ||
| Symbol | English | Metric |
| \( M_r \) = Volumetric Heat Capacity of a Reservoir | \(btu\;/\;ft^3 F\) | - |
| \( n \) = Porosity | \(dimensionless\) | - |
| \( M_s \) = Volumetric Heat Capacity of Solutions | \(btu\;/\;ft^3 F\) | - |
| \( M_o \) = Volumetric Heat Capacity of Oil | \(btu\;/\;ft^3 F\) | - |
| \( S_o \) = Oil Saturation | \(dimensionless\) | - |
| \( S_w \) = Water Saturation | \(dimensionless\) | - |
| \( M_w \) = Volumetric Heat Capacity of Water | \(btu\;/\;ft^3 F\) | - |
| \( S_g\) = Gas Saturation | \(dimensionless\) | - |
| \( M_g \) = Volumetric Heat Capacity of Gases | \(btu\;/\;ft^3 F\) | - |
| \( L_v \) = Latent Heat of Vaporization | \(btu\;/\;lbm\) | - |
| \( \rho_s \) = Density of Solids | \(g\;/\;cc\) | - |
| \( \Delta T \) = Temperature Differential | \(K\) | - |
| \( C_w \) = Isobaric Specific Heat of Water | \(btu\;/\;lbm F\) | - |
