Kermit E. Brown, Ted C. Doerr, James P. Brill, Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Texas
Recent advances in the area of two-phase flow allow very accurate predictions of pressure traverses for vertical flow and reasonably accurate predictions in horizontal flow. Typical curves showing the effect of gas-liquid ratio are presented. For wells whereby the maximum production rate is desired, a method is presented that will allow this determination by making use of both vertical and horizontal pressure traverse curves. The tubing size and length as well as the surface flow line size and length must be considered along with production rate, gas-liquid ratio, fluid properties and separator pressure. Typical examples of both a flowing and gas lift well are presented.