A Comparative Analysis of the Well Performance of Vertical, Horizontal and Multilateral Well

Abstract

The demand for energy in the world has been ever increasing. Conventional technologies are being replaced gradually by different new technologies. Horizontal wells and multilateral wells have proved to be highly beneficial by improving production rates significantly. This study focuses on investigating the well performance of vertical well (Well V), horizontal well (Well H), and multilateral well (Well M) in the Hurricane field using PROSPER software. PVT matching, well modelling and well performance analysis was carried out. Sensitivity analysis was performed on key parameters such as tubing diameter, water cut, wellhead pressure and tubing roughness to determine their effects on well productivity. It was observed that increasing the water cut decreased the production rates of Well V, Well H and Well M by 41%, 36.1% and 33.5% respectively. An increase in the tubing diameter improved the production rates, wellhead pressure had high impacts on the well performance while tubing roughness had a minimal effect on oil production. The optimum production rates of 21,622.5 STB/day, 28,653.6 STB/day and 29,800.9 STB/day for Well V, Well H and Well M respectively were achieved at reservoir pressure of 3500 psig, wellhead pressure of 400 psig, water cut of 5% and a 5.5 inches tubing diameter.