A Finite-Conductivity Horizontal-Well Model for Pressure-Transient Analysis in Multiple-Fractured Horizontal Wells

Abstract

Summary In this paper, we propose a new model for pressure-transient analysis in multiple-fractured horizontal wells (MFHWs) with consideration of pressure drop along the wellbore. To make the physical model better understood, the whole formation is divided into three parts: (1) reservoir, (2) fracture, and (3) wellbore. With incorporating frictional and acceleration pressure drops, a mathematical model with a finite-conductivity horizontal well (FCHW) is developed. Newton-Raphson iterations are used to solve the mathematical model and obtain the transient-pressure solutions of the MFHW. Model verification is performed by comparing with the solutions from a numerical software. On the basis of the field cases from the Ordos Basin, performance prediction, sensitivity analysis, type-curve matching, and evaluations of uncertainty parameters are conducted. Results show that the contribution of wellbore hydraulics to the total pressure drop increases first and then decreases after reaching the peak value. Ignoring wellbore hydraulics would cause erroneous results during the well-performance forecast. In addition, the dimensionless wellbore pressure of the MFHW increases with an increase in Reynolds number (Re); it decreases as the reservoir/wellbore constant (ChD) increases. Furthermore, the impact of pressure drop on the pressure performance of the MFHW becomes more serious with the increasing Re or the decreasing ChD.