Transient Pressure Analysis of Horizontal Wells in a Multi-Boundary System

Abstract Horizontal wells can greatly increase the contact area of the wellbore and the pay zone; so they are commonly applied in oil reservoirs to enhance the production and ultimate recovery, especially in low permeability formations. The purpose of this study is to develop a technique for the interpretation of transient pressure based on dimensionless pressure and pressure derivative. Type curve matching is one of the techniques that can be used to interpret the pressure data of horizontal wells in finite reservoirs. Starting from very short horizontal wells to extra-long wells, the pressure behavior of the wells has been analyzed for different conditions. The effect of the outer boundaries of the reservoir on the pressure behavior of the horizontal wells has been investigated for different configurations. Rectangular shape reservoirs with different dimensions have been used to study the pressure response in the well. Five flow regimes have been observed for regular length horizontal wells; early radial, early linear flow, pseudo radial flow, channel flow or late linear flow, and pseudo-steady state flow. While only four flow regimes have been observed for the extra-long wells; linear flow, pseudo radial flow, channel flow, and pseudo-steady state or boundary affected flow. Of course, those flow regimes do not always take place under all conditions. Pseudo-steady state flow is expected to occur after long producing time. A pressure drawdown test was solved using the proposed type curve matching technique. The study has shown that the effect of the boundary on the pressure response of the horizontal wells and the type of flow regimes depend on the length of the horizontal wells and the distance to the nearest boundary.