Integrated Optimization on a Long Horizontal Well Length

Abstract

Summary This paper presents a methodology developed to estimate the optimum horizontal well length based on total economics and on the productivity index (PI) change associated with frictional loss effects in the long section of the horizontal wellbore. An integrated approach is proposed for quantitative analysis of the parameters affecting productivity and economics to achieve the overall optimum performance of a horizontal well project. This study shows that production is no longer proportional to the horizontal well length after a critical point. The critical point is calculated as a function of the length of the horizontal production section, flow rate, drawdown pressure, and other parameters. A step-by-step calculation procedure with examples is described with sets of graphical charts developed for illustrating the relationships between the various parameters.