Reservoir EngineeringWell Performance
Effective Wellbore Radius of a Horizontal Well – van der Vlis et al. Method Formula
Effective Wellbore Radius of a Horizontal Well – van der Vlis et al. Method calculates effective wellbore radius for well performance workflows in reservoir engineering.
How engineers use this formula
Use this formula when the listed inputs (r_w, h, alpha) are known and the assumptions behind the cited well performance relationship match the engineering case being checked.
Assumptions
- Input values are representative for the well, reservoir, fluid, or equipment case being evaluated.
- The declared units match the field-unit constants used in the formula.
- The cited formula applies to the selected petroleum engineering workflow.
Limitations
- The calculation does not replace a full engineering model or operating procedure.
- Accuracy depends on the source correlation, assumptions, input quality, and unit consistency.
Common mistakes
- Mixing unit systems without converting the inputs.
- Using default example values as field recommendations.
- Applying the formula outside the source assumptions.
Default example
Using the default inputs, r_we equals 0.995791 ft.
r_wft
0.3
hft
50
alphadegrees
45
Inputs
r_w
ftWellbore Radius
h
ftPay Zone Thickness
alpha
degreesSlant Angle
Outputs
L
intermediateft
Length of Horizontal Well
r_we
ft
Effective Wellbore Radius
Source and review
reviewedJoshi, S. D. 1991, Horizontal Well Technology. Tulsa, Oklahoma: PennWell Publishing Company. Chapter: 3, Page: 96.
Source