Performance considerations for horiznontal [sic] and unconventional wellbore configurations

Abstract

The goal of this study was to investigate the performance of horizontal and unconventional well configurations and formulate guidelines for selecting optimum configuration. The simulation model was validated by comparing the productivity of numerical model for a horizontal well with the analytical models. The productivity of horizontal, snake wells and fishbone wellbore configurations was studied by varying four parameters, vertical position of well in the payzone, permeability anisotropy, partial completion and well length. Effect of friction loss correlations on estimation of well productivity losses was also studied. The study concludes that the ratio vertical position of well, Zw to the payzone thickness, h decreases the productivity of the wells increases. There is no significant change in performance of the wells for different configurations. As the permeability anisotropy ratio decreases the productivity decreases. The cumulative production does not decrease by half when the perforated well length is decreased by half. Also, the productivity index increases with increase in well length. Based on the results obtained we formulate guidelines for selecting well bore configurations. The results of this study can be applied to the design of horizontal and unconventional well configurations to aid reservoir management.