Comparison of Development Effects for Two Different Combined Well Patterns with Horizontal Wells and Vertical Wells

Abstract

In recent years, horizontal wells have been widely utilized in low-permeability reservoirs in China. Normally, horizontal wells are deployed combined with vertical wells, in which way effective injection-production well network system could be established. However, horizontal wells could be water injectors as well as oil producers and the same is true for vertical wells. The adoption of which kind of combined well pattern has been in dispute for a long time. In response to this issue, a novel physical simulation system is utilized to contrast the development effect of two well patterns with horizontal wells and vertical wells together. By comparing pressure gradient and flow velocity, the better scenario can be selected. If the horizontal well is not fractured, well pattern of horizontal wells as injectors with vertical wells as producers has a remarkable advantage. While the horizontal well is fractured, well pattern of horizontal wells as producers with vertical wells as injectors has a clear advantage. From another perspective to analyze the result, if an oil field needs horizontal well to inject water for vertical wells, then the horizontal well is suggested not to be fractured. If an oil field needs horizontal wells to produce much more oil with vertical injection wells, then horizontal wells with multiple hydraulic fractures could obtain better effect. As a rule of thumb, deployment of horizontal wells as oil producers is more common in oil fields.

Copyright 2017, Shaanxi Petroleum Society.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2017 International Field Exploration and Development Conference in Chengdu, China, 21–22 September 2017.

This paper was selected for presentation by the IFEDC&IPPTC Committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper, as presented, have not been reviewed by the IFEDC&IPPTC Committee and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the IFEDC&IPPTC Committee, its members. Papers presented at the Conference are subject to publication review by Professional Committee of Petroleum Engineering of Shaanxi Petroleum Society. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper for commercial purposes without the written consent of Shaanxi Petroleum Society is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of IFEDC&IPPTC. Contact email: paper@ifedc.org or paper@ipptc.org.