Performance comparison of fractured and un-fractured vertical and horizontal wells
in reservoirs with bottom-water drive
By:Aggour, MA (Aggour, MA)
PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Volume: 20
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 405-423
DOI: 10.1081/LFT-120002109
Published: 2002
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Abstract
An experimental investigation, using a scaled three-dimensional rectangular model, has
been conducted to study the production performance of un-fractured and fractured vertical
wells under bottom water drive. The results are compared against those for un-fractured
horizontal wells and horizontal wells with orthogonal and longitudinal fractures. The
model represented a section of the drainage volume for a single horizontal well in one of
the Middle East reservoirs. Kerosene and distilled water were used to represent the
reservoir fluids, while glass beads were used to represent the porous medium. All
experiments were conducted at the same production rate, which was chosen so that the oilwater interface would remain stable until it approaches the producing well. As expected,
fracturing vertical wells greatly improves their performance by increasing oil recovery at
breakthrough and ultimate recovery, delaying water breakthrough and reducing pressure
drop. While horizontal wells have, in general, better performance than vertical wells,
fractured vertical wells perform better than horizontal wells with regard to recovery, water
breakthrough and pressure drop. Horizontal wells with orthogonal or longitudinal
fractures are found to be superior to fractured vertical wells. In general, increasing the
fracture penetration improved the production performance of both vertical and horizontal
wells. Interestingly, it was found that extending the fracture penetration towards the
original oil-water contact did not, as might have been expected, result in earlier water
breakthrough.
Keywords
Author Information
Reprint Address: Aggour, MA (reprint author)
King Fahd Univ Petr & Minerals, KFUPM Box 130, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia.
Organization-Enhanced Name(s)
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Addresses:
[ 1 ] King Fahd Univ Petr & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
Organization-Enhanced Name(s)
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Document Information
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Accession Number: WOS:000173801900013
ISSN: 1091-6466