Analysis of Horizontal-Well Responses: Contemporary vs. Conventional

Summary Most of the conventional horizontal-well transient-response models were developed during the 1980's. These models visualized horizontal wells as vertical wells rotated 90°. In the beginning of the 1990's, it was realized that horizontal wells deserve genuine models and concepts. Wellbore conductivity, nonuniform skin effect, selective completion, and multiple laterals are a few of the new concepts. Although well-established analysis procedures are yet to be developed, some contemporary horizontal-well models are now available. The contemporary models, however, are generally sophisticated. The basic objective of this paper is to answer two important questions: 1) When should we use the contemporary models? and 2) How much error do we make by using the conventional models? This objective is accomplished by considering examples and comparing the results of the contemporary and conventional approaches.