Superposition

Dr Mostafa Ghasemi
Email: mostafa.baboli@utp.edu.my
Ext:7375
Room: No.8, 2nd floor, Block J3
Principle of Superposition
Superposition in Space
Superposition is summation of all individual parts (responses) that contribute
to the total system.

Superposition states that the pressure

drop at point X is equal to the sum of the
pressure drops owing to Well A, Well B,
and Well C. Mathematically,

= + +

Where, = ()
 Superposition in Space

70.6 948 2
OR (, ) = +

70.6 948 2
+

70.6 948 2
+

 Superposition in Space
If we have a well producing at a constant production rate, the
pressure in that well is a function of its own production as well
as the production from the surrounding wells.

= + +

 Superposition in Space

Similarly, the pressure drop at Well A becomes

70.6 948 2
, = + 2

2
70.6 948
+

70.6 2
948
+

Example 1: Multiwell test
For the conditions shown in the figure below, estimate the pressure at Well 1 after 7 hours of
production. Well 1 is producing with a rate of 100 STB/D and Well 2 production rate is 25 STB/D.

12 = 100

Well Well
1 2
+
= h=20 ft
= 1 = 0.2
=76 md = 10 106 1
=1 cp B=1.08 RB/STB
S (@well 1)=5
 2 2 2
70.6 948 70.6 948 70.6 948
, = + 2 + +

12 = 100

Well Well
1 2
Solution:
70.61 2
948 70.62 2
948 12
,1 = + 2 +

,1
70.6 100 1 1.08 948 0.2 1 10 106 12
= 2200 + 25
76 20 76 7
70.6 25 1 1.08 948 0.2 1 10 106 1002
+
76 20 76 7
 Example 1 Solution contd

948 0.2 10 106 12

= 3.564 106 = ln 1.781 3.564 106 = 11.968
76 7
and
948 0.2 10 106 1002
= 0.03564 = 2.7992
76 7
Substituting the above calculation to the main equation gives
70.6 100 1 1.08 70.6 25 1 1.08
,1 = 2200 + (11.968 2 5) + 2.7992 = 2086.29
76 20 76 20
 Superposition in Time

The most important application of superposition is in modeling variable rate test (including
buildup test). Assuming the three
Consider the case in the figure below: wells are located at the
same place, but
t produce at different
2
time as shown below:
1

q 1
3 = Well 1

0 1 2 t
(2 1 )
+ Well 2

+0
2
Well 3
(3 2 )
Superposition in Time Contd
Using the concept of superposition in space, the pressure at the well with the rate change
shown before becomes:

70.61 948 2
= + 2

70.6(2 1 ) 2
948
+
(1 )
2

70.6(3 2 ) 2
948
+

(2 )
2
 Superposition in Time
For a general rate change case as shown in the figure below:

70.6( 1 ) 948 2
= + 2
=1
( 1 )
Or
70.6 948 2
= + ( 1 ) 2

=1
( 1 )
 Example 2: Variable rate test
A flowing well is completed in a reservoir that has the following properties.

= h=43 ft
= 0.35 = 0.16
= 25 md = 18 106 1
= 0.44 cp B=1.32 RB/STB
S =2
Calculate the pressure in the well after 11 days for the following rate history.

2 = 350

q, STB/D 1 =250 3 =100

0 120 168 t, hrs


948 2
Example 2 solution = +
70.6

( 1 )
( 1 )
2
=1

2 = 350

q, STB/D 1 =250 3 =100 n=3

0 120 168 t, hrs

=
3
70.6 948 2 70.6 948 2
+ ( 1 ) 2 = + (1 0) 2 + (2
( 1 ) 0
=1
Example 2 solution

1 = 250

t=11*24=264 hrs
t1=120 hrs 2 = 350

t2=168 hrs
3 = 100

70.6 70.6 0.44 1.32

= = 0.038
25 43

948 2 948 0.16 0.44 18 106 0.352

= = 5.886 106
25
= 11
= 2500
5.886 106 5.886 106
+ 0.038 (250 0) 2 2 + (350 250) 2 2 + (100
264 264 120
 Example 2 solution contd

= 11
= 2500 + 0.038 250 17.042 4 + 100 16.436 4 + (250) 16.03 4
= 2500 + 0.038 5260.5 2043.6 + 5007.53 = 2500 232.856 = 2412.73
Build up and Superposition

By: Dr. Mostafa Ghasemi

Outline

Behavior of Static Sandface Pressure Upon Shut-in of a

Well

Buildup Test

Buildup as superposition of rates

Horner plot relationship

BUILD UP AS SUPERPOSITION

Horner Plot Relationship Buildup Semilog Plots Infinite Reservoir