A homogeneous model for gas-liquid flow in horizontal wells

Radial influx or outflux stands for the major difference between fluid flow in a pipe and fluid flow in a well. A homogeneous model for gas-liquid flo w in a horizontal well is presented in this paper. In addition to frictiona l and gravitational components of total pressure drop, accelerational press ure drops due to fluid expansion and radial influx or outflux are considere d. Effect of radial influx or outflux on wall friction is also taken accoun t for. With a segmented approach, the new model and several existing pipe f low models have been applied to predict pressure drop along a wellbore, and predictions are compared with experimental data. It is found that the new homogeneous model outperforms existing models for gas-liquid flow in horizo ntal wells. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.