SPE 72361

Dimensionless Inflow-Performance-Relationship Curve for

Unfractured Horizontal Gas Wells
Travis Billiter, Texaco; John Lee, Texas A&M University; Robert Chase, Marietta College

Copyright 2001, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Eastern Regional Meeting held in
Canton, Ohio, 1719 October 2001.
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Abstract
A dimensionless inflow performance relationship (IPR) curve
that is a function of horizontal permeability, average reservoir
pressure, reservoir height, and reservoir drainage area has
been developed for unfractured, horizontal gas wells. The
Babu and Odeh horizontal oil well flow equations were
modified to account for non-Darcy flow effects and
mechanical skin effects and also transformed into
pseudopressure form. The pseudopressure equations were
solved using analytical methods and Monte Carlo simulation
to yield dimensionless IPR curves. This effort showed that the
proposed dimensionless IPR curve for unfractured, horizontal
gas wells in pseudosteady-state flow is basically independent
of all variables except horizontal permeability, average
reservoir pressure, reservoir height, and reservoir drainage
area. The proposed dimensionless IPR curve is similar in
form to the familiar Vogel equation, but only has one
coefficient, which is a function of horizontal permeability,
average reservoir pressure, reservoir height, and reservoir
drainage area. The proposed dimensionless IPR curve can be
used to predict the deliverability of a horizontal gas well using
a single-point test, as opposed to a standard four-point
deliverability test, if the height of the reservoir is known.
Introduction
Deliverability testing refers to the testing of a gas well to
measure its production capabilities at a given stage of
reservoir depletion. Deliverability testing commonly yields a
reservoir inflow performance relationship (IPR) curve. An
IPR curve relates production rate to flowing bottomhole
pressure for a given average reservoir pressure, the reservoir

pressure at which the deliverability testing was performed. It

is mainly used to predict current gas-well deliverability given
a fixed backpressure.
Traditionally, deliverability testing of a gas well is
accomplished using a four-point backpressure test, an
isochronal test, or a modified isochronal test. All of these
methods require testing a well at a minimum of four flow
rates. These multi-point tests all yield very reliable results but
are very expensive in terms of manpower and testing
equipment. A method that can predict current gas well
deliverability using only a single-point flowrate test is
thus desirable.
Previous Studies
Vogel1 introduced the concept of dimensionless inflow
performance relationship curves. As defined by Vogel, an IPR
curve is made dimensionless by dividing the pressure for each
point on the IPR curve by the maximum pressure for that
particular curve and by dividing the corresponding production
rate by the maximum producing rate for the same curve.
Because it correlates q / q max with p wf / p , a dimensionless
IPR curve can be used to predict well performance. Vogel
proposed his now famous inflow equation for solution-gas
drive, oil wells:
2

qo
q o max

= 1 0.20

p wf
p

p .
0.80

p

wf

(1)

Meng et al.2, in a study to determine the sensitivity of

fracture design parameters on ultimate well performance, were
the first to apply the concept of dimensionless IPR curves to
vertical gas wells. However, Mishra and Caudle3 were the
first to extend the concept of dimensionless IPR curves to
unfractured, vertical gas wells in an attempt to determine a
general Vogel-like curve. Mishra and Caudle used the
pseudopressure form of the Houpeurt, quadratic deliverability
equation in proposing two new dimensionless groups:

T. BILLITER, J. LEE, AND R. CHASE

q
q max

m( pwf )

= F
m( p )

(2)

and

q max, f
qmax

m( p f )
,
= G

m( p )

b kxkz ( p pwf )

+ ln (CH ) 0.75 + sR
141.2 Bo ln

rw

(4)

(3)

where G and F are some functional forms. The authors

generated
both
(m( p wf )/m( p ), q / q max )
and
(m(

qo =

SPE 72361

p f )/m( p ), q max, f / q max ) data sets and used these in

developing equations for a current dimensionless IPR curve

and a future dimensionless IPR curve, respectively. Using
these equations, Mishra and Caudle proposed a new
methodology for predicting current and future well
deliverability, which does not require multi-point testing.
Chase and Williams4 extended the dimensionless IPR
curve concept to fractured vertical gas wells. The authors
used an equation to relate fracture half-length and skin factor
to the wellbore. The authors concluded that the Mishra and
Caudle dimensionless IPR curve for unfractured gas wells can
be used to describe the flow behavior of fractured wells
exhibiting zero or negative skin factors. Chase5 built on the
effort of Chase and Williams by developing dimensionless
IPR curves for predicting the current and future performance
for both unfractured and fractured vertical gas wells. Chase
and Alkandari6 developed a series of dimensionless IPR
curves that relate m( p wf )/m( p ) to q /[ q max at xe/xf =1] as a
function of xe/xf ratios for fractured vertical gas wells. Chase7
has recently shown these curves to be accurate in predicting
the deliverability of vertical gas wells.
Billiter and Lee8 showed that a general dimensionless
IPR curve for unfractured vertical gas wells is not feasible
because of the strong dependence of the dimensionless IPR
curve on permeability.
They developed permeabilitydependent, current and future dimensionless IPR curves for
vertical gas wells. They concluded that, for unfractured gas
wells, the Houpeurt, quadratic deliverability equation does an
excellent job of approximating the deliverability as provided
by the finite-difference solution to the real gas flow problem.
There have not been any publications presenting a
dimensionless IPR curve for horizontal gas wells. The main
objective of this current work is to address this gap in the
petroleum engineering literature by developing a
dimensionless IPR curve for unfractured, horizontal gas wells.
Equation Development
Babu and Odeh9 presented the following equation for
modeling the pseudosteady-state flow of a horizontal oil well:

Equation 4 was obtained by solving the problem of a

horizontal well draining a finite oil reservoir. Figure 1
presents the physical model solved by Babu and Odeh9, which
consists of a horizontal well of radius rw and length L . The
well is drilled in a box-shaped drainage volume, parallel to the
y-direction.
The dimensions of drainage volume are:
thickness = h , length (x-direction) = a , and width (ydirection) = b . The well has a length L b , and extends
between y1 and y2. The wells x and z locations are indicated
by x0 and z0. The permeabilities in the x, y, and z directions
are respectively, kx , ky , and kz . In solving the problem
Babu and Odeh9 assumed a constant production rate q
(uniform flux), constant porosity, slightly compressible fluid,
and uniform initial pressure.
Equation 4 is not an exact analytical solution but is
within 3% of the exact solution if well penetration is greater
than 50% and within 10% even as the well penetration
decreases below 50%9. Equation 4 is presented in the familiar
form of the vertical well, pseudosteady-state flow equation
(see equation A1 in the Appendix). To obtain Equation 4 in
such a form, Babu and Odeh9 use CH and sR to account for the
effect of anisotropy, well location, and relative dimensions of
the drainage volume; and to account for the effect of well
length (restricted entry), respectively. The equations for CH
and sR are presented in the Appendix. Please note that the

b kxkz term in equation 4 is the analog of the hk term

present in the vertical well form of this equation (Equation
A1). Also, the drainage area, A , is defined by Babu and
Odeh9 as ah , the area of the side of the reservoir that is
transverse to the wellbore. Finally, Babu and Odeh9 assumed
there was no change in the formation permeability around the
wellbore ( sd = 0).
First, Equation 4 must be modified so that
mechanical skin and non-Darcy flow effects are included.
Following the lead of Thomas et al.10, the total pressure
drop is:

ptotal = pnoskin + pskin

(5)

where

+ ln (CH ) 0.75 + sR
141.2qoBoo ln

rw

pnoskin =
b kxkz
(6)

SPE 72361

DIMENSIONLESS NFLOW-PERFORMANCE-RELATIONSHIP CURVE FOR UNFRACTURED HORIZONTAL GAS WELLS

and

pskin =

141.2qoBoo
kxkz L

(s d + Dqo ) .

Equations 6 and 7 are combined to produce the total

pressure drop for the system:
(7)

The mechanical skin term, s m , is comprised of the

skin due to the damaged/stimulated zone, the perforation
geometry skin, and the skin due to the crushed zone
surrounding the perforations. For this work, only sd , the skin
due to the damaged/stimulated zone will be considered. sd is
the positive skin resulting from drilling mud invasion or the
negative skin resulting from an acid or fracturing job. sd can
be calculated as follows:

kxkz
rd
sd =
1.0 ln .
kxkz d
rw

(8)

The skin due to perforating geometry is usually quite small10

and for this work is set equal to zero. Additionally, the
horizontal wells of this work are assumed to be openhole
completions and thus, the skin due to the crushing and
compacting of the formation around the perforations is set
equal to zero.
The non-Darcy flow coefficient, D , accounts for
turbulence due to high-rate, near wellbore flow. The Dq term
in Equation 7 produces a rate dependent skin factor. For this
work, the non-Darcy flow coefficient will account for flow
through the near wellbore damaged or stimulated region and
through the reservoir rock. The non-Darcy flow coefficient
for this work is defined as follows10:

kxkz d d 1 1

D = 2.2222 1015

2
r
g ( pwf )
L
w r d
L g

+ 2.2222 1015

kxkz

g ( pwf ) L 2
L g

1 1
.
r d r e

(9)

The external drainage radius, re , is determined from the

square root of the drainage area, A . The drainage area, A , is
equal to ah . The turbulence factor, , is a function of
permeability and is calculated using the following equation10:

2.6 1010

kxkz

1.2

(10)

The turbulence factor for the damaged or stimulated area,

d , is calculated using Equation 10 but using kxkz d instead
of

kxkz .

ptotal

+ ln (CH ) 0.75 + sR
141.2qoBoo ln

rw

=
b kxkz
+

141.2qoBoo
kxkz L

(s d + Dqo ) .

(11)

Rearranging shows that:

ptotal =

141.2qoBoo A
+ ln(CH ) 0.75 + sR
ln
b kxkz rw

141.2qoBoo b
(s d + Dqo )

b kxkz L

(12)

or

qo =

b kxkz ptotal

b
+ ln (CH ) 0.75 + sR + (s d + Dqo )

L
rw

141.2 Boo ln

(13)

b
term in the denominator of Equation 13 multiples the
L
mechanical skin term, sd , and the rate dependent skin term,
Dq . When b is equal to L , the well penetrates the entire

The

length of the reservoir and there is no partial penetration

effect. When L is less than b , the well is only partially
penetrating and the flow rate is penalized as the effect of
mechanical skin and rate dependent skin is greater than 1.0.
Converting Equation 13 to pseudopressure form
using the transformation introduced by Al-Hussainy et al.11:

p
dp ,
m( p ) = 2
g z
po

(14)

provides the following equation to describe pseudosteady state

gas flow into a horizontal wellbore:

q=

T. BILLITER, J. LEE, AND R. CHASE

b kxkz m( p ) m( pwf )

b
+ ln (CH ) 0.75 + sR + (s d + Dq )
1422T ln
L

rw

SPE 72361

equal to 0.1 in Equation 8; if

equal 10; and if

sd is positive, then

sd is equal to zero, then

(15)
Equation 15 is quadratic in terms of gas flow rate.
The pseudosteady-state form of the Houpeurt, quadratic
deliverability equation is:

m( p ) m( pwf ) = apssq + bpss q 2

kxkz d

A
b
+ ln (CH ) 0.75 + sR + s d

L
rw

b kxkz

kxkz
kxkz d

and

b
1422T D
L . (18)
bpss =
b kxkz
q , is obtained from

apss + apss 2 + 4bpss (m( p ) m( pwf ))

q=
2bpss
with the

g ( pwf ) .

(19)
in bpss , Equation 18, being evaluated at

The absolute open flow potential,

from

q max

q max , is obtained

apss + apss 2 + 4bpssm( p )

= q( pwf = 14.7 psia ) =
2bpss
(20)
in bpss , Equation 18, being evaluated at

D
g ( pwf = 14.7 psia ) .

with the

The only assumption made in programming

Equations 8 to 10 and 16 to 20 to generate the dimensionless
IPR curves of this study, is that if

sd is negative,

kxkz
kxkz d

is

is equal to

rd
values using Equation 8. That is,
rw

rd
values can be calculated if both sd and
rw

are allowed to vary independently. The choice of

set values (0.1 and 10 were used) was determined

not to effect the results of this study.

(17)

The flowrate,

calculating unrealistic

kxkz

1422T ln

kxkz d

kxkz d

This assumption was made to avoid the possibility of

unrealistic

(16)

where, using Equation 15,

apss =

1.0.

kxkz

kxkz

is

IPR Curve Results

Current dimensionless IPR curves for unfractured, horizontal
gas wells were generated using Equations 8 to 10 and 16 to 20.
The reservoir and fluid properties studied and their respective
distributions for this study are presented in Table 1.
Initially, the reservoir and fluid property inputs to the
equations were varied probabilistically as per Table 1. The xdirection permeability was also input as a uniform distribution
from 1 to 100 md.
Figure 2 shows the results of 1000
simulation runs. The large amount of scatter in the data
indicate that a truly dimensionless IPR curve is not achievable
for horizontal gas wells. Billiter and Lee8 concluded the same
for vertical gas wells.
First, to determine the effect of x-direction
permeability on the shape of the dimensionless IPR curve, all
variables in Table 1, with the exception of pwf / p , were set
to their mean values. pwf / p has to be specified to produce a
dimensionless IPR curve.
Horizontal or x-direction
permeability was studied first because intuitively it should
have a large effect on the shape of the dimensionless IPR
curve. Moreover, Billiter and Lee8 showed that the shape of a
dimensionless IPR curve for vertical gas wells is a strong
function of horizontal permeability. The results for four
simulation runs where all variables in Table 1 are equal to
their mean values and kx is equal to 1, 10, 55, or 100 md are
shown in Figure 3. The shape of the dimensionless IPR curve
for horizontal gas wells is a strong function of permeability.
The higher the permeability is, the higher the flowrate, and the
higher the non-Darcy flow effects. That is, the higher the
permeability is, the more the dimensionless IPR curve deviates
from a straight-line IPR curve relationship.
Next, to determine if permeability is the only variable
with a strong effect on the shape of the dimensionless IPR
curve, runs were made with all the variables input using the

SPE 72361

DIMENSIONLESS NFLOW-PERFORMANCE-RELATIONSHIP CURVE FOR UNFRACTURED HORIZONTAL GAS WELLS

distribution provided in Table 1 and at x-direction

permeabilities of 1, 10, 55, and 100 md. The results for 1 md
and 100 md are shown in Figure 4 and 5, respectively.
Although permeability has a strong effect on the shape of the
dimensionless IPR curve, it is definitely not the only variable
with a strong effect. The greater the x-direction permeability,
the greater the scatter in the data.
Figure 6 shows the results of a run made with kx
equal to 0.1 md and all other variables probabilistically varied
as specified in Table 1. Please note in Figures 3, 4, and 6 that
at kx near or less than 1.0 md, non-Darcy flow effects are
negligible. That is, a straight-line IPR curve can be used to
describe the deliverability of horizontal gas wells whose kx
permeability is less than 1.0 md. For gas wells, a straight-line
IPR curve indicates that the production rate is directly
proportional to the pseudopressure drawdown in the reservoir.
To determine the effect of each variable in Table 1 on
the shape of the dimensionless IPR curve, a tornado-type
analysis was used. That it, the variable being studied was
varied probabilistically while the other variables were set at
their mean values. For each variable studied, runs were made
with kx set equal to 1, 10, 55, and 100 md.
The average reservoir pressure, p , has a large effect
on the shape of the dimensionless IPR curve (Figure 7). The
reservoir thickness, h , also has a large effect on the shape of
the dimensionless IPR curve (Figure 8). The final variable
having a large effect on the shape of the dimensionless IPR
curve is the width of the reservoir, b (Figure 9). Since b and
the ratio of a / b (which was set equal to 1.0) determine the
areal reservoir drainage area, it can be concluded that the areal
drainage area has an effect on the shape of the dimensionless
IPR curve. The results shown are for kx values equal to 100
md; the results for the other permeability values studied were
similar in that p , h , and b have an effect on the shape of
the dimensionless IPR curve; however, there is more scatter in
the data at higher permeability values. The difference in the
scatter of the data for reservoir thickness, h , and kx equal to
10 or 100 md can be seen by comparing Figures 8 and 10.
These two figures also show that the effect of h on the shape
of the curve is more pronounced at higher values of kx .
Similar results were obtained for p and b .
The variables having some effect on the shape of the
dimensionless IPR curve, but to a much smaller degree than
the variables mentioned above, are a / b , kz / kx , T , g ,

rw , and xo / a . This is shown for kz / kx at kx equal to 100

md in Figure 11. At lower kx values the effect of a / b ,
kz / kx , T , g , rw , and xo / a is much less pronounced.
This can be seen for kz / kx by comparing Figures 11 and 12,
which represent kx set equal to 100 md and
10 md, respectively.

The variables having no effect on the shape of the

dimensionless IPR curve are sd , L / b , zo / h ,
y1 /((b L) / 2) , and ky / kx . This is shown for ky / kx in
Figure 13. The results shown are for kx values equal to 100
md; the results for other permeability values studied were the
same in that sd , L/b, zo / h , y1 /((b L) / 2) , and ky / kx
do not have an effect on the shape of the dimensionless IPR
curve. Finally, since ky / kx does not have an effect on the
shape of the dimensionless IPR curve, it is assumed that xdirection permeability is synonymous with horizontal
permeability throughout this paper.
These results show that a truly dimensionless IPR
curves is not feasible. These results show that the majority of
the variables in Table 1 do not have a large effect on the shape
of the dimensionless IPR curve. The variables with a large
effect are x-direction (or horizontal) permeability, kx , average
reservoir pressure, p , reservoir thickness, h , and width (or
areal drainage area) of the reservoir, b . Thus, the remainder
of the study is dedicated to developing a dimensionless IPR
curve (dimensionless in the Vogel sense) that is a function of
kx , p , h , and b .
Development of the Multivariable-Dependent
Dimensionless IPR Curve
In developing a dimensionless IPR curve that is a function of
kx , p , h , and b , a complete factorial of runs was made for
the variable values listed in Table 2. That is, a total of 384
IPR curves were generated. In generating these curves, the
other input variables were set equal to their mean values as
provided in Table 1.
Regression analysis was performed on the generated
IPR curves to determine the equation best fitting the data. The
equation best fitting the data has the following form:

q
q max

m( pwf )

= 1
m( p )

(21)

More complicated equations, i.e., ones with more than one

fitting parameter, were determined to yield non-unique
regression fits. Billiter and Lee8 had to use a four-parameter
equation to adequately model the dimensionless IPR curve for
vertical wells. However, the dimensionless IPR curve for a
vertical well has a much different shape than the
dimensionless IPR curve for a horizontal well (Figure 14).
The same reservoir is being drained in Figure 14 with kx
equal to 100 md and the other properties being the base case
properties from Billiter and Lee8. The difference in the shapes
of the curves is the item to note; the difference in magnitude
of the non-Darcy flow effects is partially due to the fact that
this work and the Billiter and Lee8 work use different
equations to predict the non-Darcy flow coefficient, D .

T. BILLITER, J. LEE, AND R. CHASE

The results show that the larger kx , p , and h are,

the larger the non-Darcy flow effects. That is, the curvature of
the dimensionless IPR curve increases as the values of any of
these variables increase.
The larger the horizontal
permeability, kx , is, the larger the flowrate and thus, the larger
non-Darcy flow effects. The larger the average initial
pressure, p , or the reservoir height, h , are, the larger the
reservoir potential energy and the larger the non-Darcy
flow effects.
On the other hand, the smaller the width of the
reservoir, b , (or the size of the reservoir since a / b = 1.0 for
the 384 runs to generate the IPR curves), the larger the nonDarcy flow effects. With L / b set to 0.625 for the 384 runs,
as b becomes smaller, the wellbore length, L , becomes
smaller, and the Non-Darcy flow coefficient, D , becomes
larger (see Equation 9).
Table 3 summarizes the n values obtained from the
384 runs. The n values obtained are, obviously, a function of
the input variables. For the inputs studied, only approximately
8% of n values are greater than 1.6. Moreover, only
approximately 20% of the n values are greater than 1.3.
Equation 21 provided an excellent fit to the data when the n
value is below 1.6. A regressed curve with an n value of
1.5994 and the original data are shown in Figure 15. For the
cases where n is greater than 1.6, Equation 21 still provides a
reasonable fit to the data. A regressed curve with an n value
of 2.0987 and the original data are shown in Figure 16.
The results also show that an n equal to 1.0 can be
used to closely approximate the deliverability of a horizontal
gas well draining a reservoir with kx near or less than 1.0 md.
That is, non-Darcy flow effects are insignificant when a
horizontal gas well is draining a reservoir with a kx less
than 1.0 md.
Multivariable regression analysis was performed on
the inputs and output of the 384 runs. That is, the combination
of Table 2 inputs for each run and the n output for each run
were used in a multivariable regression analysis to generate a
multivariable-dependent dimensionless IPR curve for
horizontal gas wells. The equations to predict the coefficient n
in Equation 21 follow:

zb = -1.0163E-12 b 3 + 2.8162E-08 b 2
- 3.4706E-04 b + 1.2860E+00
zh = 4.3049E-07 h - 2.0375E-04 h
+ 3.4975E-02 h - 1.6772E+00
3

(22)

(26)

n = 4.5828E-02 zsum 3 + 1.5565E-01 zsum 2

+ 1.3976E-01 zsum + 1.0406E+00 (27)
The fit of the individual transforms was excellent
with an R2 of 1.0 in all cases. The fit for the kx transform
(Equation 24) is shown in Figure 17. The correlation between
the actual n data values and the n values predicted by Equation
27 are shown in Figure 18. Equations 22 to 27 provide a
model that has (practically) no bias and a standard deviation of
0.0368. That is, this model provides an n value that is
"shooting" around the true n value by plus or minus 0.0368.
A summary of the absolute error between the
predicted and actual n values is presented in Table 4. 364 out
of 384 of the predicted n values have an absolute error of less
than 5%. Equations 22 to 27 are expected to provide similar
accuracy in predicting n values for reservoirs with kx between
1 to 100 md, p between 2,000 to 8,000 psia, h between 20
to 200 ft, and b between 2640 to 10560 ft. As stated
previously, if the horizontal permeability is less than 1.0 md,
an n of 1.0 should be used in Equation 21. If the horizontal
permeability is greater than 100 md, then the well most likely
merits use of the fundamental equations, Equations 8 to 10 and
16 to 20, when predicting well deliverability.
Only four of 384 predicted n values have an absolute
error of greater than 10%. Two of the four values of greater
than 10% occur at extreme conditions and the equations
predict an n less than 1.0. It is noted that the predicted n
values should never be less than 1.0; if the predicted n value is
less than 1.0, then n should be set to 1.0.
The following example will illustrate the use and
accuracy of Equations 22 to 27:
Reservoir Properties:
kx = 66 md
p = 6500 psia

h = 107 ft
b = 7500 ft (areal drainage area = 1291 acres)

zb = -1.0163E-12(7500)3 + 2.8162E-08(7500)2
zb = -0.1616

(23)

z ln kx = 1.5431E-03(ln( kx ))2 + 3.3956E-01ln( kx )

zp = 3.5563E-12 p 3 - 7.1620E-08 p 2
+ 5.9398E-04 p - 1.5325E+00

zsum = zb + zh + z ln kx + zp

1. Calculate the four transform variables:

-1.0269E+00

SPE 72361

(24)

- 3.4706E-04(7500) + 1.2860E+00

zh = 4.3049E-07(107)3 - 2.0375E-04(107)2
+ 3.4975E-02(107) - 1.6772E+00

zh = 0.2598

z ln kx = 1.5431E-03(ln(66))2 + 3.3956E-01ln(66)
-1.0269E+00

(25)

z ln kx = 0.4228

SPE 72361

DIMENSIONLESS NFLOW-PERFORMANCE-RELATIONSHIP CURVE FOR UNFRACTURED HORIZONTAL GAS WELLS

zp = 3.5563E-12(6500)3 - 7.1620E-08(6500)2
zp

+ 5.9398E-04(6500) - 1.5325E+00
= 0.2791

2. Calculate the sum of the transform variables:

zsum = -0.1616+0.2598+0.4228+0.2791
zsum = 0.8001
3. Calculate the inverse transform using the

n = 4.5828E-02(0.8001)3 + 1.5565E-01(0.8001)2
+ 1.3976E-01(0.8001) + 1.0406E+00
n = 1.2755

build-up test or single-point flow test. The areal drainage area

(to estimate b ) of a well can also normally be estimated from
a build-up test or single-point flow test. The reservoir height,
h , can normally be obtained from well logs. The areal
drainage area and the reservoir height can also usually be
estimated from experience in a producing field or area.
Knowing kx , p , b , and h allows an engineer to
use Equations 22 through 27 to accurately calculate the n
coefficient to be used in the proposed dimensionless IPR curve
equation, Equation 21, to construct a dimensionless IPR curve
for a well. With the dimensionless IPR curve and the
knowledge of the stabilized flow rate, q , and corresponding

p wf and p , an engineer can predict the current deliverability

of an unfractured, horizontal gas well. The methodology for
performing a deliverability calculation using a current
dimensionless IPR curve has been presented by Mishra
and Caudle3.
Conclusions
The results from a study of current-condition dimensionless
IPR curves for unfractured, horizontal gas wells have been
presented. The conclusions from this work are as follows:

The shape of the current-condition dimensionless IPR

curve for a horizontal gas well is independent of sd ,
L / b , zo / h , y1 /((b L) / 2) , and ky / kx . The shape
of the current-condition dimensionless IPR curve for a
horizontal gas well can safely be assumed to be
independent of a / b , kz / kx , T , g , rw , and xo / a .
The shape of the current-condition dimensionless IPR
curve is strongly dependent on kx , p , b , and h . The
strong dependence of the dimensionless IPR curve on
these variables makes a truly general dimensionless IPR
curve unfeasible. However, because the shape of the
dimensionless IPR curve is basically independent of all
the other variables, a current-condition dimensionless IPR
curve (dimensionless in the Vogel-sense) that is a
function of kx , p , b , and h is feasible.

zsum value:

Figure 19 shows the actual data points that are generated by

using the reservoir properties of this example and the other
Table 1 variables at mean values in Equations 8 to 10 and 16
to 20. The dimensionless IPR curve generated by using
Equation 21 with n equal to 1.2755 is also shown in Figure 19.
The curve predicted by an n generated with Equations 22 to 27
provides an excellent fit to the data generated using the
fundamental equations (Equations 8 to 10 and 16 to 20).
Moreover, regression analysis of the data points generated
with the fundamental equations provides an n of 1.2617. The
absolute error between this n and the n provided by Equations
22 to 27 is 1.1%.
Reservoir permeability, kx , a stabilized flow rate,
q , and corresponding p wf and p , are all obtainable from a

The fundamental equations (Equation 8 to 10 and 16 to

20) to generate an IPR curve for a particular unfractured,
horizontal gas well have been compiled/derived and
presented in this paper. These equations, when used with
the knowledge that the variables of kx , p , b , and h are
the key variables in generating IPR curves for horizontal
gas wells, and information from a single-buildup or
drawdown test, allow an engineer to accurately determine
the deliverability for the well of interest.

The equations (Equations 22 to 27) to generate a

multivariable-dependent dimensionless IPR curve for any
unfractured, horizontal gas wells have been developed
and presented in this paper.
These equations,
information from a single-buildup or drawdown test, and
knowledge of the reservoir height, allow an engineer to
calculate current horizontal well deliverability quickly
and efficiently. It is envisioned that Equations 22 to 27
will be used in situations where an engineer does not have
the resources to apply the fundamental equations to all of
his/her wells.

Nomenclature
a = extension of drainage volume of horizontal well in xdirection, ft
apss = Houpeurt equation coefficient, psia2/(cp-Mscf/D)
A = drainage area of horizontal well, ah , ft2
b = extension of drainage volume of horizontal well in ydirection, ft
bpss = Houpeurt equation coefficient, psia2/(cp-(Mscf/D)2)
Bo = Oil Formation Volume Factor, RB/STB
CA = reservoir shape factor
CH = geometric factor defined by Equation (A2)
D = non-Darcy flow coefficient, D/Mscf
F (x) =function used to describe effects of well location in
horizontal plane

T. BILLITER, J. LEE, AND R. CHASE

h = extension of drainage volume of horizontal well in zdirection , ft

k = reservoir permeability, md
kx = permeability in x-direction, md
ky = permeability in y-direction, md
kz = permeability in z-direction, md
L = length of horizontal well, y 2 y1 , ft

p f ) = average future reservoir pseudopressure, psia2/cp

m( p ) = average reservoir pseudopressure, psia2/cp
m( p wf ) = flowing bottomhole pseudopressure, psia2/cp
n = coefficient of proposed dimensionless IPR curve
p = average current reservoir pressure, psia
p f = average future reservoir pressure, psia
p wf = flowing bottomhole pressure, psia
p = pressure drop, psia
qo = stabilized oil flow rate, STB/D
q = stabilized gas flow rate at current conditions, Mscf/D
m(

q max = maximum gas flow rate, Mscf/D

q max, f = maximum gas flow rate in future, Mscf/D
rd = radius of damaged area
re = external drainage radius, ah , ft
rw = wellbore radius, ft
sd = skin due to the damaged zone
sm = mechanical skin factor
sR = skin resulting from partial penetration
T = reservoir temperature, oR
x, y, z = general location coordinates in reservoir for a point
xo = x coordinate of center of well, ft
ymid = ( y1 + y 2) / 2 , midpoint location along well length, ft
yo = general y coordinate on well, ft
y1 = y coordinate of beginning of well, ft
y 2 = y coordinate of end of well, ft
zo = z coordinate of center of well, ft
= turbulence factor
d = turbulence factor for damaged zone
g = gas specific gravity
g ( pwf ) = gas viscosity at

p wf , cp

Acknowledgments
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Texaco Inc. for
permission to present this paper.
The support and
encouragement of Mr. Neil Jones of Texaco are greatly
appreciated. The input of Dr. Peter Valko of Texas A&M
University on multivariable regression is also greatly
appreciated.

SPE 72361

References
1.

Vogel, J.V: Inflow Performance Relationships for Solution-Gas

Drive Wells, JPT (January 1968) 83-92.

2.

Meng, H.Z. et al.: Production Systems Analysis of Vertically

Fractured Wells, paper SPE/DOE 10842 presented at the 1982
SPE/DOE Unconventional Gas Recovery Symposium,
Pittsburgh, PA, May 16-18.

3.

Mishra, S. and Caudle, B.H.: A Simplified Procedure for Gas

Deliverability Calculations Using Dimensionless IPR Curves,
paper SPE 13231 presented at the 1984 SPE Annual Technical
Conference and Exhibition, Houston, TX, Sept. 16-19.

4.

Chase, R.W. and Williams, M.A.T.: Dimensionless IPR Curves

for Predicting the Performance of Fractured Gas Wells, paper
SPE 15936 presented at the 1986 SPE Eastern Regional
Meeting, Columbus, OH, Nov. 12-14.

5.

Chase, R.W.: Dimensionless IPR Curves for Predicting Gas

Well Performance, paper SPE 17062 presented at the 1987 SPE
Eastern Regional Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, Oct. 21-23.

6.

Chase, R.W. and Alkandari, H.: Prediction of Gas Well

Deliverability From Just a Pressure Buildup or Drawdown
Test, paper SPE 26915 presented at the 1993 SPE Eastern
Regional Conference and Exhibition, Pittsburgh, PA, Nov. 2-4.

7.

Chase, R.W.: Improved Estimation of Gas Well Deliverability

from Single-Point Tests, paper 2000-12 presented at the
Petroleum Societys Canadian International Petroleum
Conference 2000, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, June 4-8.

8.

Billiter, T. and Lee, J.: A Permeability-Dependent

Dimensionless Inflow Performance Relationship for Unfractured
Gas Wells, paper SPE 59759 presented at the 2000 SPE/CERI
Gas Technology Symposium, Calgary, Alberta, Canada,
Apr. 3-5.

9.

Babu, D.K. and Odeh, A.S.: Productivity of a Horizontal

Well, SPE Reservoir Engineering (November 1989) 417-421.

10. Thomas, L.K. et al.: Horizontal Well IPR Calculations, paper

SPE 36753 presented at the 1996 SPE Annual Technical
Conference and Exhibition, Denver, CO, Oct. 6-9.
11. Al-Hussainy, R.R. et al.: The Flow of Real Gases
Through Porous Media, JPT (May 1966) 624-636.

Appendix
The generalized form of the vertical well, pseudosteady-state
flow equation is:

qo =

hk ( p pwf )

10.06 A

141.2 Bo 0.5 ln
0.75 + s m
2
C A rw

(A1)
CA is the dimensionless shape factor for various drainage areas

SPE 72361

DIMENSIONLESS NFLOW-PERFORMANCE-RELATIONSHIP CURVE FOR UNFRACTURED HORIZONTAL GAS WELLS

and is 30.8828 for a centrally located, vertical well draining a

square area.
The expression for ln(CH) as presented by Babu and
Odeh9 follows:

ln (CH ) = 6.28

1 xo xo
a
kz / kx +
h
3 a a
2

If the argument is less than or equal to 1, then Equation A5 is

used.

4 ymid L
. On the other hand, if the argument is greater than
2b

F ( x) = (2 x) 0.145 + ln(2 x) 0.137 (2 x)2

where
Babu and Odeh9 presented the following
methodology for calculating SR:
If L is equal to b, then the well is fully penetrating
and SR = 0.
If L is less than b and if

x=

4 ymid + L
4 ymid L
or x =
, with x greater than
2b
2b

1.
If

is

less

than

where:

180o zo
kx
b h
= 1 ln + 0.25 ln ln sin
1.84
h
L rw
kz

Py =

6.28 b2
ah

where again,

2 2
L
P' xy = b kz / ky F
Lh
2b
4 ymid L
4 ymid + L
2 b2
F
.
+
kz / ky 0.5 F

2b
Lh

2b

The

2
L
L
L
L
F = 0.145 + ln 0.137 .
2b
2b
2b
2b

(A5)

4 ymid + L
4 ymid L
F
and F

2b
2b
4 ymid + L
4 ymid L
depends on their arguments-i.e.,
and
.
2b
2b

kxkz
ky

Py component

1 ymid ymid 2 L L
+

+
3

b
b
b
3
24

(A8)

and

ymid = 0.5( y1 + y 2) , the

if

(A7)

As before, Pxyz is given by Equation A3. The

is:

(A3)

(A4)

and

b / ky > 1.33a / kx >> h / kz then:

SR = Pxyz + Py + Pxy

a / kx 0.75b / ky >> 0.75h / kz then:

SR = Pxyz + P' xy

(A6)

(A2)

Pressure computations are made at

midpoint along the wellbore, and

L
4 ymid + L
is replaced by
and/or
2b
2b

In this case,

1, then the following equation is used:

180o zo
ln sin
0.5 ln kz / kx 1.088 .
h

Pxyz

ymid is the midpoint coordinate of the well.

Pxy component is:

2
b 6.28a
1 xo xo
Pxy = 1
kz / kx +
L h
3 a a

(A9)
for

[Min( xo, a xo) 0.25a ] .

SI Metric Conversion Factors

acre
x
4.046 873
bbl
x
1.589 874
cp
x
1.0*
ft
x
3.048*
ft3
x
2.831 685
o
F
x
(oF 32)/1.8
md
x
9.869 233
mile
x
1.609 344*
psi
x
6.894 757

The evaluation of

*Conversion factor is exact.

E+03=m2
E-01 = m3
E-03 = Pa s
E-01 = m
E-02 = m3
= oC
E-04 = m2
E+00 = km
E+00 = kPa

10

T. BILLITER, J. LEE, AND R. CHASE

Properties
Average Reservoir
Pressure (psia)
Temperature (oF)

SPE 72361

TABLE 1 RESERVOIR AND FLUID PROPERTIES

Distribution
Low
High
Likeliest if Triangular
Type
Uniform
2,000
15,000

Mean
8,500

Uniform

150

300

225

Gas Gravity
(Air = 1.0)

Uniform

0.6

1.0

0.8

pwf / p

Uniform

0.01

0.99

0.5

Wellbore Radius
(ft)

Uniform

0.25

0.75

0.50

sd

Uniform

-3

h (ft)

Uniform

10

200

105

L/b

Uniform

0.250

1.000

0.625

b (ft)

Uniform

2,640

10,560

6,600

a/b

Triangular

0.25

1.75

1.00

1.00

kz / kx

Triangular

0.01

0.90

0.10

0.34

xo / a

Triangular

0.25

0.75

0.50

0.50

zo / h

Triangular

0.10

0.90

0.50

0.50

y1 /((b L) / 2)

Triangular

0.25

1.75

1.00

1.00

ky / kx

Uniform

0.75

1.25

kx (md)
1
10
20
40
70
100

1.00

TABLE 2 Variable Values Studied

p (psia)
h (ft)
2000
4000
6000
8000

20
80
140
200

b (ft)
2640
5280
7920
10560

SPE 72361

DIMENSIONLESS NFLOW-PERFORMANCE-RELATIONSHIP CURVE FOR UNFRACTURED HORIZONTAL GAS WELLS

TABLE 3 SUMMARY OF n VALUES

Condition
Number
n > 2.0
2.0 >= n > 1.8
1.8 >= n > 1.6
1.6 >= n > 1.3
1.3 >= n > 1.15
1.15 >= n >= 1.0
n >= 1.0

9
8
14
47
50
256
384

TABLE 4 SUMMARY OF ABSOLUTE

ERROR of PREDICTED n
Condition
Number
Abs. Error > 10%
10% >= Abs. Error > 5%
5% >= Abs. Error > 2%
2% >= Abs. Error > 1%
1% >= Abs. Error > 0%
Total

4
16
85
141
138
384

11

12

T. BILLITER, J. LEE, AND R. CHASE

SPE 72361

Fig. 1 The physical model.

All Variables Varied

1.0
0.9
0.8

q/qmax

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

m(pw f)/m(pbar )

Fig. 2 Results for 1000 simulation runs with all variables varied.

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

DIMENSIONLESS NFLOW-PERFORMANCE-RELATIONSHIP CURVE FOR UNFRACTURED HORIZONTAL GAS WELLS

Table 1 Variables at Mean Values with kx = 1, 10, 55, or 100 md

1.0

kx = 1.0 md
kx = 10 md
kx = 55 md
kx = 100 md

0.9
0.8

q/qmax

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

m(pw f)/m(pbar )
Fig. 3 Results of 1000 simulation runs for kx = 1, 10, 55, or 100 md and Table 1 variables at mean values.

Table 1 Variables Varied with kx = 1.0 md

1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7

q/qmax

SPE 72361

0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

m(pw f)/m(pbar )
Fig. 4 Results of 1000 simulation runs for kx = 1 md and Table 1 variables varied.

0.9

1.0

13

14

T. BILLITER, J. LEE, AND R. CHASE

SPE 72361

Table 1 Variables Varied with kx = 100 md

1.0
0.9
0.8

q/qmax

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

0.9

1.0

m(pw f)/m(pbar )
Fig. 5 Results of 1000 simulation runs for kx = 100 md and Table 1 variables varied.

Table 1 Variables Varied with kx = 0.1 md

1.0
0.9
0.8

q/qmax

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

m(pw f)/m(pbar )
Fig. 6 Results of 1000 simulation runs for kx = 0.1 md and Table 1 variables varied.

DIMENSIONLESS NFLOW-PERFORMANCE-RELATIONSHIP CURVE FOR UNFRACTURED HORIZONTAL GAS WELLS

Pbar Varied, Other Table 1 Variables At Mean Values, and

kx = 100.0 md

1.0
0.9
0.8

q/qmax

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

m(pw f)/m(pbar )
Fig. 7 Results of 1000 simulation runs for kx = 100 md,

1.0

p varied, and other Table 1 variables at mean values.

h Varied, Other Table 1 Variables At Mean Values, and

kx = 100.0 md

0.9
0.8
0.7

q/qmax

SPE 72361

0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

m(pw f)/m(pbar )
Fig. 8 Results of 1000 simulation runs for kx = 100 md, h varied, and other Table 1 variables at mean values.

15

16

T. BILLITER, J. LEE, AND R. CHASE

SPE 72361

b Varied, Other Table 1 Variables At Mean Values, and

kx = 100.0 md

1.0
0.9
0.8

q/qmax

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

m(pw f)/m(pbar )
Fig. 9 Results of 1000 simulation runs for kx = 100 md, b varied, and other Table 1 variables at mean values.

1.0

h Varied, Other Table 1 Variables At Mean Values, and

kx = 10.0 md

0.9
0.8

q/qmax

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

m(pw f)/m(pbar )
Fig. 10 Results of 1000 simulation runs for kx = 10 md, h varied, and other Table 1 variables at mean values.

DIMENSIONLESS NFLOW-PERFORMANCE-RELATIONSHIP CURVE FOR UNFRACTURED HORIZONTAL GAS WELLS

kz/kx Varied, Other Table 1 Variables At Mean Values, and

kx = 100 md

1.0
0.9
0.8

q/qmax

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

m(pw f )/m(pbar )
Fig. 11 Results of 1000 simulation runs for kx = 100 md, kz / kx varied, and other Table 1 variables at mean values.

kz/kx Varied, Other Table 1 Variables At Mean Values, and

kx = 10 md

1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7

q/qmax

SPE 72361

0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

m(pw f )/m(pbar )
Fig. 12 Results of 1000 simulation runs for kx = 10 md, kz / kx varied, and other Table 1 variables at mean values.

17

18

T. BILLITER, J. LEE, AND R. CHASE

SPE 72361

ky/kx Varied, Other Table 1 Variables At Mean Values, and

kx = 100 md

1.0
0.9
0.8

q/qmax

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

m(pw f)/m(pbar )
Fig. 13 Results of 1000 simulation runs for kx = 100 md,

ky / kx varied, and other Table 1 variables at mean values.

Reservoir with kx 100.0 md, Pbar 3000 psia, h 100 ft, b 5280 ft
1.0
0.9
0.8

q/qmax

0.7
0.6
0.5

Actual

0.4

Regressed (n = 1.3197)

0.3
0.2

Predicted by Billiter and Lee

for Vertical Well

0.1
0.0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

m(pw f)/m(pbar )
Fig. 14 Comparison of the shape of dimensionless IPR curves for vertical and horizontal gas wells.

SPE 72361

DIMENSIONLESS NFLOW-PERFORMANCE-RELATIONSHIP CURVE FOR UNFRACTURED HORIZONTAL GAS WELLS

19

kx = 70 md, Pbar = 6000 psia, h = 80 ft, b = 2640 ft

Other Table 1 Variables At Mean Values

1.0
0.9

Actual

0.8
Regressed

q/qmax

0.7
0.6

n = 1.5994

0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

m(pw f)/m(pbar )
Fig. 15 Results of simulation run for kx = 70 md,

p = 6000 psia, h = 80 ft, b = 2640 ft, and other Table 1 variables at mean values.

kx = 100 md, Pbar = 8000 psia, h = 200 ft, b = 5280 ft

Other Table 1 Variables At Mean Values
1.0

Actual

q/qmax

0.8

Regressed
n = 2.0987

0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

m(pw f )/m(pbar )

Fig. 16 Results of simulation run for kx = 100 md,

values.

p = 8000 psia, h = 200 ft, b = 5280 ft, and other Table 1 variables at mean

20

T. BILLITER, J. LEE, AND R. CHASE

SPE 72361

Optimal Transform for ln(kx )

0.8
zln kx = 1.5431E-03(ln(kx))2 + 3.3956E-01ln(kx) - 1.0269E+00

0.6

R2 = 1.0000E+00

0.4
0.2

z lnkx

0.0
-0.2

-0.4
-0.6

Actual

-0.8
Transformed

-1.0
-1.2

ln(kx)
Fig. 17 Optimal Transform for ln kx from multivariable fit of the data from the 384 runs.

Fit of n, Standard Deviation = 0.0368

n from Transform

3.0

n = 4.5828E-02zsum3 + 1.5565E-01zsum2 + 1.3976E-01zsum + 1.0406E+00

2.5

z sum = z b + z h + z ln kx + z

pbar

2.0

1.5

Actual
from Transform

1.0

0.5
0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

n (Actual Data)

Fig. 18 Correlation between actual n and predicted n values from multivariable fit of the data from the 384 runs.

SPE 72361

DIMENSIONLESS NFLOW-PERFORMANCE-RELATIONSHIP CURVE FOR UNFRACTURED HORIZONTAL GAS WELLS

21

kx = 66 md, Pbar = 6500 psia, h = 107 ft, b = 7500 ft

Other Table 1 Variables At Mean Values

1.0
0.9

Actual

0.8
Predicted (n = 1.2755)

q/qmax

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

m(pw f )/m(pbar )
Fig. 19 Results using Equations 22 to 27 and results of simulation run for kx = 66 md,
other Table 1 variables at mean values.

p = 6500 psia, h = 107 ft, b = 7500 ft, and