Extending riverbed filtration design velocity for horizontal wells from model to prototypes

Abstract

The design velocity of axial flow through a horizontal well pipe, which was suggested to be about 1 m s in a recent model study, was evaluated for its feasibility on prototypes. In order to calculate the head loss during the flow through a horizontal well pipe, the Darcy-Weisbach formula was analyzed using Euler-Cauchy method. When the frictional resistance to the flow in the model well was compared with the one to the flow in prototypes, the latter was found to be smaller than the former. However, the design axial velocity obtained from the model study was also applicable to prototypes. Although uniform discharge intensity is assumed over the entire length of the well and model experimental data is required to calculate head loss in prototype wells, the results of this study may prove useful in predicting well production rate and in determining the required design diameter of horizontal wells. However, further verification with actual prototype is needed.