Experimental and Numerical Study on Production Performance: Case of Horizontal and Dual-Lateral Wells

Abstract

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractCurrent drilling technology is moving towards maximum reservoir contact (MRC) by means of extended-reach horizontal and multilateral wells in all types and shapes. Horizontal and Multilateral applications become more commonplace to improve the well productivity by providing maximum reservoir contact, minimizing operating costs, lowering the pressure drawdown and maximizing profitability. This paper presents the results of a numerical study performed to determine the production performance of dual opposed laterals compared to horizontal wells. With a total section exposed to the reservoir equal in both types, an experimental model has been built for the purpose of studying the production performance of the abovementioned well configurations. Production performance, in both systems, has been compared using numerical and physical model. Results have proven that the dual-lateral well configuration accelerates the oil recovery by 90% in the early stage of production, compared to the horizontal well. Thus, the oil recovery using dual-lateral remains higher than that of horizontal well as water cut increases. Production performance for both configurations becomes equal in case of complete water production.However, the numerical model shows that the dual-lateral accelerates the oil recovery by 10% compared to the horizontal well performance. Nevertheless, the results of the experimental runs indicate higher recovery values at early production stage compared to the numerical mode results. Such results confirm that dual-lateral wells are more efficient compared to the horizontal wells, where the optimum horizontal length is exceeded. Details of the optimum horizontal well length are presented. The paper provides also advantages of drilling dual-lateral wells compared to the horizontal wells exceeding the optimum lengths.