MODEL FOR DETERMINING TOTAL SKIN IN HORIZONTAL WELLS COMPLETED WITH SLOTTED LINERS

Abstract

The installation of slotted liners in horizontal wells controls formation sand production and prevents damage to installed downhole and surface facilities. Howbeit, while mitigating sand production, slotted liners also create skin problems when formation fines plug the slots, causing flow convergence and turbulence. These problems create additional pressure drop around the wellbore and, thus, reduction in production. A new analytical skin model is developed to account for the total skin slotted liners that incorporates distance between slots. Moreover, the effects of skin on flow rate, slot penetration ratio, slot width, distance between slots, wellbore radius, and slot length were also investigated. Results from this model show good agreement when validated with existing models. With an application illustrated in this paper, this model can be used in the optimization of slotted liner designs.