A Novel Approach to Waterflooding Optimization in Irregular Well Patterns Using Streamline Simulation and 3D Visualization

As conventional oil resources decline, optimizing the development of tight reservoirs has become critical for sustaining production. Horizontal wells with artificial fractures offer a promising solution, but improper water injection often leads to uneven waterflooding, particularly in irregular horizontal–vertical well systems—a common challenge in fields like China’s Fuxian oilfield. This study tackles this issue by introducing a practical and effective method to optimize water injection flow rates, significantly enhancing oil recovery in such complex well patterns. Through advanced numerical modeling and three-dimensional flow visualization, we analyze sweep efficiency and water breakthrough risks, categorizing the horizontal well’s drainage area into three distinct regions, each requiring tailored injection rates. Using a representative model with one horizontal well and three vertical wells, we demonstrate that adjusting the flow rate ratio among injectors to 6:3:1 (instead of a uniform 1:1:1) boosts cumulative oil production by an additional 2997.6 m3. These findings provide field engineers with an actionable strategy to improve waterflooding efficiency, directly increasing recoverable reserves and economic viability in tight reservoirs. The proposed approach has immediate relevance for oilfield operations, offering a scalable solution to maximize recovery in similar unconventional reservoirs worldwide.