Diffusivity Equation

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In analysis of fluid flow in petroleum reservoirs, we need

partial differential equations that describe the fluids flowing
and the reservoir they are flowing in. Then we need to be
able to solve the equations for the conditions of flow that
we are interested in. Derivation of the equations normally
involves the following elements:

Continuity equations
Darcys equations
PVT relationships for the fluids
Compressibility of reservoir rock

Examples of such equations are the simplest forms of the

diffusivity equations for linear and radial flow

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Below, the geometries of the two simple reservoir systems

and the corresponding partial differential equations are
shown:

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2P

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x=L

Q
x=0

Linear
flow

c P
(
)
k t
x 2

1
P
c P
(r )
r r r
k t

Radial
flow
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In order to solve the partial differential equations shown

earlier, we need to have initial conditions, i.e. initial
pressure distribution in the system, and boundary
conditions, i.e. rates or pressures at for instance left and
right sides of the systems. We will examine two of the most
common sets of conditions and analytical solutions for
these
Linear System
Radial System

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For the linear system, we have a horizontal porous rod,

where fluid is being injected into the left face at a flow rate
Q. The injected fluid will be transported through the rod and
eventually be produced out of the right face of the rod.

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The one-phase partial differential equation (PDE) for this

system, in its simplest form, is called the linear diffusivity
equation. It is valid for one-dimensional flow of a liquid in a
horizontal system, where it is assumed that porosity ( ),
viscosity (), permeability (k ) and compressibility (c ) all are
constants.
PR

PL

Qout
x=L

Qin
x=0

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The linear diffusivity equation may be written as:

2 P c P
(
)
2
x
k t

(1)

Continue
If the initial pressure of the rod is PR , and we assume
constant pressures at the end faces, PL and PR for left and
right faces, respectively, we have the following analytical
solution:
x 2 1
n2 2 k
n x
P(x,t ) PL (PR PL )
exp( 2
t )sin(
)
L c
L
L n 1 n

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(2)

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The pressure solution is dependent on position, x, as well as

time, t. As time increases, the exponential term becomes
smaller, and eventually the solution reduces to the steadystate form:

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x 2 1
n2 2 k
n x
P(x,t ) PL (PR PL )
exp( 2
t )sin(
)
L c
L
L n 1 n

(2)
(3)

which is the expression for a straight

line ?
Click
to see what the equation reduces to as time
increases

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The corresponding steady state differential equation is

obtained by setting the right hand side of Eq. (1) equal to
zero:

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d 2P
0
dx 2

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(4)

Graphically, the solution may be presented as:

As can be observed from the
Left side
figure, the pressure will
pressure
increase in all parts of the
Steady state
system for some period of
solution
time (transient solution),
Transient
and eventually approach the
solution
Initial and
right side
final distribution (steady
pressure
x state), described by a
straight line between the
two end pressures

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For the radial system below (one-dimensional cylindrical

coordinates), we have a horizontal porous disk, where fluid is
being injected at the outer boundary and produced at the center.
The one-phase one-dimensional (radial) flow equation (PDE) in
this coordinate system becomes:

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Continue

1 1 P
c P

k r
r r r r

(5)
rw

For an infinite reservoir at an initial pressure P i and with

P(r)=Pi
Continue

and well rate q from a well in the center (at r=rw) the analytical
solution is:
cr 2
q
(6)
P Pi
Ei

4 kh
4kt

e
where is
the
integral
Ei(
x) exponential

du

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A steady state solution does not exist for an infinite system,

since the pressure will continue to decrease as long as we
produce from the center. However, if we use a different set
of boundary conditions, so that:

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P(r rw ) Pw

(7)

P(r re ) Pe

Continue
we can solve the steady state form of the equation:
1 d 1 dP
0
r dr r dr

(8)

By integrating twice, the steady state solutionContinue

becomes:
P Pw

Pe Pw
lnr / rw
lnre / rw

(9)

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