Effect of Perforation Density on Single-Phase Liquid Flow Behavior in Horizontal Wells

Abstract

Summary A general horizontal well friction factor expression was developed using the principles of conservation of mass and momentum. Horizontal well friction factor correlations were developed based on theoretical analysis and a large amount of experimental data. It was observed that the friction factor for a perforated pipe with fluid injection can be either smaller or greater than that for a smooth pipe, depending on influx to main flow rate ratios. The proposed friction factor correlation can be used in any horizontal well model that considers pressure variation along the wellbore.