Theoretical and experimental studies of coupled seepage-pipe flow to a horizontal well

This study proposes a new approach, which describes a finite-diameter horizontal well and flow inside the pumping well jointly. This approach utilizes a new treatment for in-well hydraulics, thus eliminating the flux- or head-based boundary condition along the horizontal well. An 'equivalent hydraulic conductivity' concept is applied for treating the horizontal wellbore. This conceptual model is more general than previous models that describe the horizontal wellbore. The description of in-well hydraulics depends on the Reynolds number. A sample case of horizontal well pumping underneath a river is first used to illustrate the solution of the proposed approach. A physical laboratory model was constructed and hydraulic heads and the well flow rate were carefully monitored and compared with the numerically calculated results using the proposed model. The experimental data agree well with the numerical solution. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.