Simulation of horizontal well performance using Visual MODFLOW

A proposed horizontal well or radial collector well installation in shallow aquifers to enhance water withdrawal rates in Pintu Geng well field in Kelantan, Malaysia was simulated using the Drainage Package of MODFLOW groundwater model. The modelling exercise aimed at identifying an optimum pumping rate that would safely achieve the desired drawdown of less than 2 m in an area of 300 m radius surrounding the Pintu Geng horizontal collector well. The model also would serve as a basis for the design of the horizontal well components. High degree of grid refinement for the well location is needed to simulate the real field installation. However, for the purpose of designing water withdrawal systems, it is important to obtain the correct production rate of these wells for a given drawdown. A transient groundwater flow model was calibrated and validated with few assumptions of the horizontal well hydraulic properties. The model demonstrates that under natural flow condition at −3 m depth, the six collectors (drains) tap a volume of 19,200–43,700 m3/day. A steady-state model was also developed to predict the capture zone delineation. Attention is also given to the impact of the well installation to the surrounding 300 m radius by inspecting the degree of the drawdown.