Horizontal Well Breakthrough Dimensionless Flow Rate Formula
Horizontal Well Breakthrough Dimensionless Flow Rate calculates dimensionless flow rate for well performance workflows in reservoir engineering.
How engineers use this formula
Use this formula when the listed inputs (mu_o, q_o, B_o, k_v, k_h, h, rho_o, rho_g) 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, q_d equals 329.747135 dimensionless.
2
500
1.2
10
100
50
0.85
0.1
Inputs
mu_o
cPOil Viscosity
q_o
STB/dayOil Flow Rate
B_o
RB/STBOil Formation Volume Factor
k_v
mDVertical Permeability
k_h
mDHorizontal Permeability
h
ftOil Column Thickness
rho_o
g/ccOil Density
rho_g
g/ccGas Density
Outputs
q_d
Dimensionless Flow Rate
q_o
Oil Flow Rate
k_h
Horizontal Permeability
k_v
Vertical Permeability
Source and review
reviewedJoshi, S.D. 1991. Horizontal Well Technology, horizontal-well breakthrough time with gas cap or bottom water.
Source