Electrolytic analogue experiment study for flow mechanics characteristics and productivity evaluation of snaky wells

Owing to its particular wellbore structure, it is essential to investigate the near-wellbore flow characteristics and productivity evaluation of snaky wells. This paper analyzes the effect of different well-undulation indexes, curvature radiuses and undulation cycles on snaky wells productivity and makes a comparison of constant pressure line distribution in different near-wellbore profiles based on electrolytic analogue experiment. At last, a new approach was proposed to analyze the change of longitudinal profile pressure distribution caused by wellbore additional pressure drop existence. The results indicate that there is an optimal undulation index and fluctuation cycle; the smaller the curvature radius, the more dense the constant pressure line distribution, and vice versa. The shapes of constant pressure line are closely related to the well trajectory. The distribution of isobars changed significantly when the wellbore additional pressure drop is considered.