Productivity Index of Horizontal Wells

Productivity Index of Horizontal Wells Petroleum Seminar
Contents
 Introduction
 Steady state & pseudo steady state flow conditions.
 Horizontal well Drainage area and Drainage Radius.
 Productivity of horizontal wells using steady state Solution.
 Introduction to different solution in the literature.
 Present at least three different mathematical solutions.
 Present an Example problem illustrating the use of the chosen
methods.
1
Introduction
Horizontal drilling has become extremely popular with operating

companies seeking to obtain higher productivity index, reduce water and
gas conning, and intersect natural fractures and to improve well economics.
Because of the great experience gained and improvement made on

horizontal well technology in the past 25 years, the studies refer the
increment in the cost of drilling a horizontal well was only 8% higher per
foot compared to the cost of drilling a vertical well. This makes horizontal
well drilling economical as the technology is advanced. Also, because a
horizontal well has a larger contact area through the drilled formation, this
advantage can lead to:
1. Higher sweep efficiency and larger injected area.

2. Lower injection pressure requirement for injecting fluids compared to
vertical wells.
3. Reduced unfavorable influence from gas cap drive or active aquifer
drive mechanisms.
4. Increased drainage area per well.
5. Less environmental impact due to fewer wells needed to be drilled for
accessing a large formation area below a small land or an off shore
platform.
6. Large volume of the reservoir can be drained by each horizontal well.
7. Higher productions from thin pay zones.
8. Horizontal wells minimize water and gas conning problems.
2
9. In high permeability reservoirs, where near-wellbore gas Velocities

are high in vertical wells; horizontal wells can be used to reduce
near-wellbore velocities and turbulence.
10.In secondary and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications, long
horizontal injection wells provide higher injectivity rates.
11.The length of the horizontal well can provide contact with multiple
fractures and greatly improve productivity.
During the period of 1980 to1984, only one or two horizontal wells
were drilled worldwide. In 1988 that number of horizontal wells jumped to
over 200 wells. Since, a gradual increase in wells has been noticed, with
1570 wells drilled in 1994. Industry projections in the year 2000 over 5000
wells were drilled horizontally.
Until a few years ago, the usefulness of horizontal wells has been
demonstrated only in North America and Western Europe. The potential of
horizontal wells has been recognized throughout the Middle East, but
specifically in Oman radical changes have been observed. By the end of
1994 the numbers of horizontal wells were more than 200 in Oman, 80 in
Saudi Arabia, 50 in Abu Dhabi, 20 in Kuwait and 6 in Egypt.
The horizontal drilling started in Libya (1995), many companies now

using this way to drill many wells to productivity increase 2-3 times,
compared with vertical drilling, void many problems, like water conning or
other problems and to reduce number of wells drilled in the field.
3
Now in Libya, Some of the horizontal wells are cased or completed as

open hole, according to the reservoir characteristics and the length of the
horizontal section may be between (600-3500) ft.
In general, a horizontal well is drilled parallel to the reservoir

bedding plane. Strictly speaking, a vertical well is a well which intersects
the reservoir bedding plane at 90o. In other words, a vertical well is drilled
perpendicular to the bedding plane as shown in the Figure (1).
Figure (1): Comparison of vertical and horizontal well.

Some reservoir bedding planes are almost vertical. Thus, while
analyzing horizontal well performance, Geometric configuration of the
reservoir bedding should be considered.
4
A typical horizontal well is different from a vertical well because

productivity of a well depends upon the well length. Moreover, the well
length depends upon the drilling technique that is used to drill the well.
Therefore, It’s essential that reservoir and drilling engineers work together
to choose the appropriate drilling technique which will give the desired
horizontal well length.
Limitation of Horizontal Wells
As mentioned before, the major advantage of horizontal well is a large

reservoir contact area. Currently, one can drill as long as (3000 - 4000) ft
long well, providing significantly larger contact area than a vertical well.
The major disadvantages is that only one pay zone can be drained per
horizontal well, however horizontal Wells have been used to drain multiple
layers, this can be accomplished by two methods:
1. One can drill a “staircase” type well where long horizontal portions
are drilled in more than one layer.
2. One can cement the well and stimulate it by using propped fractures.
The vertical fractures perpendicular to the wells could intersect more

than one pay zone and thereby drain of each pay zone and intermediate
barriers.
5
The other disadvantages of horizontal wells are their cost. Typically,

it costs about 1.4 to 3 times more than a vertical wells depending upon
drilling method and the completion technique employed.
An additional factor in cost determination is drilling experience in the

given area. As more and more wells drilled in the given area a significant
reduction in drilling costs over time and experience, and produce reserves in
a shorter time span a vertical well.
Horizontal Well Applications:
Horizontal wells have been used effectively in the following applications:
1. In naturally fractured reservoirs, used to intersect fractures and drain

them.
2. In reservoir with water and gas coning problems, to minimize conning

and enhance oil production.
3. In gas production, horizontal wells can be used in low permeability as

in high permeability, in low permeability reservoirs horizontal wells
can improve drainage area per well. In high permeability reservoirs,
where near-wellbore gas velocities are high in vertical wells,
horizontal wells can be used to reduce near-wellbore velocities. Thus,
6
horizontal wells can be used to reduce near-wellbore turbulence and

improve well deliverability in high-permeability reservoirs.
4. In EOR applications, especially in thermal EOR, because of large

contact area and therefore enhances injectivity of an injection well,
this especially beneficial in EOR applications.
5. Offshore wells (drain from one platform), in remote locations and in

environmentally sensitive areas (under cities reservoirs).
Drilling Techniques:
The drilling techniques to drill horizontal wells and drainholes are

classified into four categories, depending upon their turning radius. Turning
radius is the radius that is required to turn from the vertical to horizontal
direction. The four categories are:
1. Ultrashort: Turning radius is 1 to 2 ft, build angle is 45o to 60o/ft. In

this technique, (100-200) ft long drainholes are drilled using water
injection.
2. Short: Turning radius is 20 to 40 ft, building angle is 2o to 5o/ft, in this

technique, and drainholes are drilled either through a cased or
through an uncased vertical well.
7
3. Medium: Turning radius is 300 to 800 ft, building angle is 6o to

20o/100ft this is becoming a predominant method to drill horizontal
wells; Because of the generous turning radius.
4. Long: Turning radius in 1000 to 3000 ft, build angle is 2o to 6o/100 ft.
very long wells can be drilled using this technique.
The above four methods are also summarized in Figure (2).
Figure (2): a Schematic of different drilling techniques.

Ultra short radius R=1-2ft, l=100-200 ft
Short radius, R=20-40ft, L=100-800ft
Medium radius, R=300-800ft, L=1000-4000ft
Long radius, R≥1000ft, L=1000-4000ft
8
From reservoir standpoint the turning radius is very important because

certain acreage and lease size restrict the use of certain technique, for
example, in 40-acre lease; it’s difficult to drill a 2000 ft turning radius well.
Productivity Index
It’s measure the ability of the well to produce; the productivity index
is the ratio of the total liquid flow rate to the pressure drawdown.
The productivity index is generally measured during a production test

on the well. The well is shut-in until the static reservoir pressure is reached.
The well is then allowed to produce at a constant flow rate of (q) and a
stabilized bottom-hole flow pressure of (Pwf). In order to accurately
measure the productivity index of a well, it is essential that the well is
allowed to flow at a constant flow rate for a sufficient amount of time to
reach the pseudo steady-state as illustrated in Figure (3). The figure
indicates that during the transient flow period, the calculated values of the
productivity index will vary depending upon the time at which the
measurements of (Pwf) are made.
The main assumption is the relationship between the drawdown and

the rate are often assumed to remain constant with time. These ideas have
been used to predict the production rate under various operating condition,
9
we will see that this assumption is true only under special conditions (Steady
State Flow).
In practice the relationship between the drawdown and the flow rate
Depending on the boundary effects of the well drainage (flow regimes).
When a reservoir is bounded with a constant pressure boundary (such as a
gas cap or an aquifer), flow reaches the steady-state regime after the
pressure transient reaches the constant pressure boundary. Rate and
pressure become constant with time at all points in the reservoir and
wellbore once steady.
Productivity Index
Productivity Index
Steady State
Pr
Pressure
Pwf
Pr - Pwf
Transient Flow Pseudo-steady State
Time
Figure (3): Productivity Index during Flow Regimes.
10
Productivity Index in Horizontal Wells
Reservoir Engineering Concepts:
Figures (4) and (5) show a drainage area for a vertical well and a
horizontal well. A vertical well drains a cylindrical volume, whereas a
horizontal well drains an ellipsoid, a three-dimensional ellipse. In general,
we expect a horizontal well to drain a larger reservoir volume than a
vertical well.
rev
h
Figure (4): Vertical Well Drainage Area.
reh
Figure (5-A): Horizontal Well Drainage Area.
11
B B
A A= h + A A 2b
B B
2a
Figure (5-b): A three-Dimensional Ellipse of Horizontal Well.
The above discussion is for a single horizontal well or drainhole. However,

using some drilling techniques, it possible to drill several drainhole through
one vertical well, some drilling techniques facilitate drilling drainholes at
different elevations or multiple drainhole at a given elevation.
Shallow or depleted reservoirs
Layered reservoirs
Fractured reservoirs
Figure (6): Multi-lateral and Multi-Drain Hole Well.
12
Horizontal Well Drainage Area
Due to longer well length, a horizontal well would drain a larger

reservoir area than vertical well. A horizontal well can be looked upon as a
number of vertical wells drilled to next to each other and complete in limited
payzone thickness.
Figure (7) shows the drainage area of a horizontal well of length (L)
in a reservoir with a pay zone thickness of (h). Each end of the horizontal
well would drain a half-circular area of radius (b), with (a) rectangular
drainage shape at the center of the horizontal well.
Assuming that each end of the horizontal well is represented by a

vertical well that drains an area of a half circle with (a) radius of (b) and
the two wells are connected by fracture, so horizontal well assumed as
vertical well with infinite conductivity facture (i.e. the pressure drop across
the fracture is negligible, in other words the pressure in the vertical
wellbore and at every point within the fracture is the same).
13
a
kv h
kh L
A) Side View
L
2b b
a
B) Top View
Figure (7): Joshi (1991) proposed the two methods for calculating the
drainage area of a Horizontal Well.
Method 1:
Joshi proposed that the drainage area is represented by two half circles of
radius (b), (equivalent to a radius of a vertical well rev) at each end and (a)
rectangle, of dimensions L (2b), in the center. The drainage area of the
horizontal well is given then by:
………………………………………..…………...……... (1)
Where:
14
A = drainage area, (acres)

L = length of the horizontal well, (ft)
b = half minor axis of an ellipse,( ft)
Method 2:
Joshi assumed that the horizontal well drainage area is an ellipse and given
by:
…………………………………………………..……………..... (2)
With
……………………………………………………………….....…... (3)
Where (a) is the half major axis of an ellipse
Joshi noted that the two methods give different values for the drainage area
(A) and suggested assigning the average value for the drainage of the
horizontal well (depending upon the sufficient time of flow regime). Most of
the production rate equations require the value of the drainage radius of the
horizontal well, which is given by:
……………………………………………………....… (4)
15
Where (reh) is the drainage radius of the horizontal well, ft
From a practical standpoint, productivity index calculations for horizontal

wells are presented here under the following two flowing conditions:
I. Steady-State Solution.
II. Pseudo-Steady State Solution.
I. Steady-State Solutions:
The steady-state analytical solutions are the simplest form of

horizontal well solutions. These equations assume steady state, (i.e.,
pressure at any point in the reservoir does not change with time).
The flow rate equation in a steady-state condition is represented by:
………………………………..………………………....……. (5)
Where:
qoh = horizontal well flow rate, (STB/day)
Jh = productivity index, (STB/day/psi)
∆P = pressure drop from the drainage boundary to wellbore, (psi)
16
The productivity index of the horizontal well Jh can be always obtained by

dividing the flow rate (qoh) over the pressure drop (∆p), or:
…………………………………….………………..…………… (6)
1.1 Productivity of Horizontal Wells under Steady-State Conditions
There are several methods that are designed to predict the productivity
index from the fluid and reservoir properties for isotropic and/or anisotropic
reservoir. Some of these methods include:
1. Borisov’s Method.
2. The Giger-Reiss-Jourdan Method.
3. Joshi’s Method.
4. The Renard-Dupuy Method.
We will explain these methods in the steady state solution Example in the
seminar.
II. Pseudo-Steady State Flow:
“Pseudo-steady state” begins when the pressure disturbance created by the

producing well is felt at the boundary of the well drainage area. In other
words, when the fluid mass situated at the drainage boundary starts moving
towards the producing well, pseudo-steady state begins. This pseudo-steady
state is also described as semi-steady state or depletion state. The name
depletion state is probably the most appropriate, because it tells us that the
reservoir has reached a point where the pressure at all the reservoir
17
boundaries and also the average reservoir pressure will decrease over time
as more and more fluid is withdrawn from the reservoir.
1.2 Productivity of Horizontal Wells under Pseudo Steady State Condition:
The main assumption apply here, we have a single phase flow of a slightly
compressible fluid, a homogenous reservoir and is assumed to be bounded
in all directions and the horizontal well is located arbitrarily within a
rectangular bounded drainage area, with uniform thickness, and gravity
and capillary effects are negligible with impermeable upper and lower
boundaries for the reservoir. Porosity and absolute permeability are
independent of position and pressure. Uniform flux along the wellbore and
the initial condition throughout the reservoir pressure is uniform.
The available solutions to calculate pseudo-steady state productivities of

horizontal wells can be divided into three broad categories, namely:
1. Infinite-Conductivity Solution.
2. Uniform Flux Boundary Solution.
3. Infinite-Conductivity Solution; where the constant wellbore pressure
is estimated by averaging pressure values of the uniform-flux solution
along the wellbore length.
Figure (8) shows a schematic of a horizontal well drilled in a bounded

reservoir. The difference between the three solutions is in their
mathematical solution methods and boundary conditions used.
18
Babu and Odeh Model
xw
Figure (8): A Schematic of a Horizontal Well located in a rectangular

drainage volume
There are several methods that are designed to predict the productivity
index in the horizontal well for single–phase flow some of these methods
include:
1. Mutalik et al. Method.

2. Babu and Odeh Method.
3. Kuchuk et al. Method.
Example: A 1000 ft long horizontal well is drilled in a reservoir with the

following characteristics:
19
µo.=62 cp h=160 ft
βo=1.34 RB/STB φ=3.8 %
rw=0.365 ft
Calculate the steady state horizontal well productivity using

different methods if a typical vertical well drain 40 acres?
Solution:
1) Borisov method
20
2) Giger method
3) Joshi method
21
Notes and Results
The productivity ratios for an 80 acres spacing horizontal well and 40 acre
spacing vertical well by different methods are listed below
(Jh/Jv) by Different methods
PI
METHODS (Jh/Jv) AREAL PI
STB/(PSI/DAY)
Borisov 48 3.7 0.60
Giger 50 3.8 0.63
22
Joshi 44 3.4 0.56
It is important note that the above productivity index comparison assumes

an unsimulated vertical well.
23

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Productivity Index of Horizontal Wells Petroleum Seminar

 Steady state & pseudo steady state flow conditions.

 Horizontal well Drainage area and Drainage Radius.

 Productivity of horizontal wells using steady state Solution.

 Introduction to different solution in the literature.

 Present at least three different mathematical solutions.

 Present an Example problem illustrating the use of the chosen

Horizontal drilling has become extremely popular with operating

Because of the great experience gained and improvement made on

1. Higher sweep efficiency and larger injected area.

9. In high permeability reservoirs, where near-wellbore gas Velocities

The horizontal drilling started in Libya (1995), many companies now

Now in Libya, Some of the horizontal wells are cased or completed as

In general, a horizontal well is drilled parallel to the reservoir

Figure (1): Comparison of vertical and horizontal well.

A typical horizontal well is different from a vertical well because

Limitation of Horizontal Wells

As mentioned before, the major advantage of horizontal well is a large

The vertical fractures perpendicular to the wells could intersect more

The other disadvantages of horizontal wells are their cost. Typically,

An additional factor in cost determination is drilling experience in the

Horizontal Well Applications:

Horizontal wells have been used effectively in the following applications:

1. In naturally fractured reservoirs, used to intersect fractures and drain

2. In reservoir with water and gas coning problems, to minimize conning

3. In gas production, horizontal wells can be used in low permeability as

horizontal wells can be used to reduce near-wellbore turbulence and

4. In EOR applications, especially in thermal EOR, because of large

5. Offshore wells (drain from one platform), in remote locations and in

The drilling techniques to drill horizontal wells and drainholes are

1. Ultrashort: Turning radius is 1 to 2 ft, build angle is 45o to 60o/ft. In

2. Short: Turning radius is 20 to 40 ft, building angle is 2o to 5o/ft, in this

3. Medium: Turning radius is 300 to 800 ft, building angle is 6o to

The above four methods are also summarized in Figure (2).

Figure (2): a Schematic of different drilling techniques.

From reservoir standpoint the turning radius is very important because

The productivity index is generally measured during a production test

The main assumption is the relationship between the drawdown and

Transient Flow Pseudo-steady State

Figure (3): Productivity Index during Flow Regimes.

Productivity Index in Horizontal Wells

Reservoir Engineering Concepts:

Figure (4): Vertical Well Drainage Area.

Figure (5-A): Horizontal Well Drainage Area.

Figure (5-b): A three-Dimensional Ellipse of Horizontal Well.

The above discussion is for a single horizontal well or drainhole. However,

Shallow or depleted reservoirs

Figure (6): Multi-lateral and Multi-Drain Hole Well.

Horizontal Well Drainage Area

Due to longer well length, a horizontal well would drain a larger

Assuming that each end of the horizontal well is represented by a

A = drainage area, (acres)

Where (a) is the half major axis of an ellipse

Where (reh) is the drainage radius of the horizontal well, ft

From a practical standpoint, productivity index calculations for horizontal

The steady-state analytical solutions are the simplest form of

The flow rate equation in a steady-state condition is represented by:

The productivity index of the horizontal well Jh can be always obtained by

1.1 Productivity of Horizontal Wells under Steady-State Conditions

“Pseudo-steady state” begins when the pressure disturbance created by the

1.2 Productivity of Horizontal Wells under Pseudo Steady State Condition:

The available solutions to calculate pseudo-steady state productivities of

Figure (8) shows a schematic of a horizontal well drilled in a bounded

Babu and Odeh Model