Performance of longitudinally fractured horizontal wells in high-permeability anisotropic formations Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • This work studies the combined behavior of (1) horizontal wells, and (2) high-permeability fracturing. Fractured vertical wells in high-permeability formations always yield finite conductivity fractures which in turn can reduce the benefits of the stimulation. It has been proposed recently that a fracture along a horizontal well poses far smaller pressure drops than those of the fracture intersecting a vertical well. This work uses numerical simulation to corroborate the recently presented semi-analytical solutions for the problem of a longitudinally fractured horizontal well in a homogeneous, isotropic formation. Additionally, this paper addresses the effects of vertical and horizontal anisotropy in the pressure and production performance of such well and compares it to the performance of a fractured vertical well. Finally, the paper presents a set of transformations that allows for a proper well test analysis of longitudinally fractured well in an anisotropic formation.

published proceedings

  • Proceedings - SPE International on Horizontal Well Technology

author list (cited authors)

  • Villegas, M. E., Wattenbarger, R. A., Valko, P., & Economides, M. J

complete list of authors

  • Villegas, ME||Wattenbarger, RA||Valko, P||Economides, MJ

publication date

  • January 1996