Study on Productivity Model of Herringbone-Like Laterals Wells and Optimization of Morphological Parameters Considering Threshold Pressure Gradient in Heavy Oil Reservoirs

Abstract

Compared with conventional well, herringbone-like laterals wells can increase the area of oil release, and can reduce the number of wellhead slots of platforms, and also can greatly improve the development efficiency. Based on threshold pressure gradient in heavy oil reservoir, and the applied principle of mirror reflection and superposition, the pressure distribution equation of herringbone-like laterals wells is obtained in heavy oil reservoir. Productivity model of herringbone-like laterals wells is proposed by reservoir-wellbore steady seepage. The example shows that the productivity model is great accuracy to predict the productivity of herringbone-like laterals wells. The model is used to analyze the branching length, branching angle, branching symmetry, branching position and spacing and their effects on productivity of herringbone-like laterals wells. The principle of optimizing the well shape of herringbone-like laterals wells is proposed.

A Comprehensive Review of Fishbone Well Applications in Conventional and Renewable Energy Systems in the Path towards Net Zero

“…Their findings indicated that wells were more productive when branches were positioned nearer to each other. Sun et al [17] also observed that as the distance between branches grew, interference between them diminished. Ouadi et al [13] found that increasing branch gaps led to reduced reservoir volume and a minor flow rate drop (Figure 10).…”

“…Their findings indicated that wells were more productive when branches were positioned nearer to each other. Sun et al [17] also observed that as the distance between branches grew, interference between them diminished.…”

“…Further, Sun and his team's [17] analytical model results showed that when all branching angles were the same, the fishbone well had the lowest production rate. However, productivity increased when the angles differed.…”

“…The results underscore the importance of understanding how closely spaced branches might interfere with one another and affect a well's overall output. Sun et al [17] applied analytical methods to study fishbone production in a scenario (case #3) where the combined length of the main borehole and branches in various designs was 800 m, with a 45-degree angle between the branch and the main borehole. Their findings showed the highest production rate when using two branch lengths: 100 m and 300 m. They noted that positioning the longer 300 m branch first ensured maximum contact with the initial part of the reservoir, allowing it to span the whole reservoir [17].…”

“…They analyzed four branch designs, each 200 m long, and a main borehole 400 m in length at a 45-degree angle. Sun et al [17] used analytical models to study how the spacing between branches impacts daily production rates. Their findings indicated that wells were more productive when branches were positioned nearer to each other.…”