Pressure-squared and pressure approximations

By assuming that the product z is constant, then, from Eq. 3, pseudopressure beco
mes
RTENOTITLE....................(4)
and the diffusivity equation becomes
RTENOTITLE....................(5)
The independent variable has become p2, and, in terms of this variable, theEi-fu
nction solution is valid when the assumption that z is constant is valid. This is
true (based on empirical evidence) even though Eq. 5 is nonlinear (pressure-dep
endent ct), but it is valid only for an infinite-acting reservoir.
Fig. 1 shows the range of validity of this assumption for a reservoir temperatur
e of 200F and several different gas gravities. The z product is fairly constant at
pressures below approximately 2,000 psia (the shaded area in the figure). Concl
usions are similar at other temperatures from 100 to 300F.
Fig. 1 - z product is fairly constant at low pressures. Shaded area indicates pre
ssure range in which z is constant.
By assuming that the group p/z is constant, from Eq. 3, pseudopressure becomes
RTENOTITLE....................(6)
and the diffusivity equation becomes
RTENOTITLE....................(7)
The independent variable has become p, and, in terms of pressure, theEi-function
is valid (from empirical evidence) when the assumption that p/z is constant is v
alid. This is true even though Eq. 7 is nonlinear (pressure-dependent ct) , but i
s valid only for an infinite-acting reservoir.
Fig. 2 shows the range of validity of this assumption (shaded area in the figure
) for a reservoir temperature of 200F and several different gas gravities. The gr
oup p/z is fairly constant at pressures above approximately 3,000 psia as it is a
t other temperatures from 100 to 300F.
Fig. 2 - p/z product is fairly constant for high pressure (p > 3,000 psia). Shade
d area indicates pressure range in which z is constant.
The implication of these results is that the choice of variable for gas well-flo
w equations depends on the situation. The pressure-squared approximation is vali
d only for low pressures (p < 2,000 psia), the pressure approximation is valid o
nly for high pressures (p > 3,000 psia), and the pseudopressure transformation i
s valid for all pressure ranges. For pressure transient test analysis using soft
ware, the pseudopressure is almost always the optimal variable to use. F