Shekhar Sinha's thesis
by
Shekhar Sinha, MSE
University of Texas at Austin, 2001
Supervisor: Mukul M. Sharma
Multi-lateral wells have become increasingly common today in view of their potential to enhance the
well productivity through better drainage of reservoirs. The use of multi-lateral wells is often
based on a perception of the associated benefits and seldom on rigorous performance evaluation.
A model for the accurate assessment of multilateral well performance is needed.
Analytical techniques are useful when performing initial calculations for investigating
sensitivities to key variables. Based on fluid and formation properties, geometries, pressures
and flow rates they give the investigator a valuable tool for understanding the problem from the
first principles, which can be lost if complex computing packages are used from the outset.
This work presents a semi-analytical model that can be applied to calculate productivity of vertical,
horizontal and multilateral wells of arbitrary trajectory. The reservoir penetrated should be
homogeneous (isotropic or anisotropic) with no-flow boundaries. Interference between segments of
each lateral is accounted for by superposition. The multiple laterals could penetrate different
reservoirs with different properties and present a commingled production scenario. A constant rate
constraint has been imposed on the well. An arbitrary variable skin profile can also be modeled along
the well. The productivity of a well is strongly influenced by the frictional pressure drop in the well
and interaction among the laterals. To account for these effects, the inflow model is coupled to a
wellbore flow model. The model is also applicable to injectors with an arbitrary well trajectory.
Back to theses index
