A Simple Approach to Optimization of Completion Interval in Oil/Water Coning Systems

Abstract

Summary: An analytical solution is presented to estimate the maximum water-free production rate (critical oil rate) that considers the effect of limited wellbore penetration on the oil productivity of the well. To maximize the critical oil rate, an optimum wellbore penetration into an oil zone is determined theoretically. This analytical solution shows that the optimum wellbore penetration into a pay zone is less than one-third the total pay-zone thickness.