CONCLUSIONS

The hydraulic flow to vertical wells is much more involved than previously realized. The point of energy release to a well can greatly influence the performance of the well in terms of yield or specific capacity and production of sand. Most high-capacity wells operate in the turbulent flow zone, thereby invalidating Darcy's Laminar flow conditions in the formation around the well bore.

To advance the knowledge of well hydraulics and to develop the appropriate mathematical relationships, it is necessary to redefine the field coefficient of permeability as the limit of laminar flow through porous media for the existing fluid viscosity and temperature existing in the formation. Hydraulic conductivity should then be defined as the field coefficient of permeability corrected to a standard fluid viscosity and temperature.

It has been learned that for best performance from a well and to provide a more uniform flow through the vertical height of the well screen, the energy of the pump should be distributed proportionally through the full depth of the well screen or open borehole. Flow from the aquifer to the well bore or screen is a function of the formation permeability, flow area, and energy distribution of the pumping system.

It has been learned that the fluid flow velocity for the aquifer or formation will naturally enter the well bore at the beginning of turbulent flow opposite the point of energy release. The energy will dissipate upward, if possible, to the effective pumping water level or be forced downward by the permeability of the formation until dissipated. In a deep well when the pump energy is dissipated, essentially no further flow enters the well, below the point of energy dissipation regardless of the formation permeability or depth of the well. The same principle applies equally to a horizontal slotted pipe or laterals in a collector well.