A homogeneous model for gas–liquid flow in horizontal wells

Radial influx or outflux stands for the major difference between fluid flow in a pipe and fluid flow in a well. A homogeneous model for gas–liquid flow in a horizontal well is presented in this paper. In addition to frictional and gravitational components of total pressure drop, accelerational pressure drops due to fluid expansion and radial influx or outflux are considered. Effect of radial influx or outflux on wall friction is also taken account for. With a segmented approach, the new model and several existing pipe flow models have been applied to predict pressure drop along a wellbore, and predictions are compared with experimental data. It is found that the new homogeneous model outperforms existing models for gas–liquid flow in horizontal wells.