A Review of Horizontal Methods and Drilling Technology

Leaf, R.C.; Pittard, F.J.

doi:10.2118/21862-ms

Low Permeability Reservoirs Symposium 1991

DOI: 10.2118/21862-ms

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A Review of Horizontal Methods and Drilling Technology

R.C. Leaf¹,

F.J. Pittard²

Abstract: This paper covers the geology of the Rocky Mountains, low permeable hydrocarbon producing formations and the problems associated with horizontal drilling tools in these regions. The paper includes representative horizontal well data from the Rocky Mountain region and low permeable hydrocarbon producing formations outside the United States. Oil producing trends with respect to fracture and formation are described as they pertain to horizontal drilling tools. Where applicable emphasis is placed on solutions to p… Show more

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Horizontal Injection and Production Wells for EOR or Waterflooding

Taber

Seright

1992

Permian Basin Oil and Gas Recovery Conference

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This paper describes the potential benefits of using combinations of horizontal injection and production wells for EOR processes or waterflooding. Our results show that a very favorable configuration occurs when two opposed horizontal wells are drilled from injection and production wells so that the opposed laterals are parallel in the patterns, and extended until the horizontal segments almost meet midway between the like wells. Compared to five-spot patterns with vertical wells, opposed horizontal wells can increase injectivity (injection rate per applied pressure drop) by as much as a factor of ten, depending on well spacing and formation thickness. Areal sweep efficiency can be increased by 25% to 40%. The horizontal-well advantages are greatest for thin formations with wide spacing, and decline significantly for thick formations and/or close spacing. Also, for a given injection pressure, the pressure gradient in the bulk of the reservoir can average several times greater when using opposed horizontal wells than when using vertical wells. This could significantly improve microscopic displacement efficiencies for EOR processes, such as micellar/polymer flooding, that are sensitive to interfacial tensions. Because of the better sweep efficiencies, faster flooding rates, and/or lower injection pressures that are possible with horizontal wells, all EOR methods should benefit by their use. For example, polymer floods can be improved by the higher injectivity and lower rates of shear at the injection sandface. The advantages of horizontal wells for CO2 flooding include: (a) delayed CO2 breakthrough because of the better sweep efficiency, (b) the potential for maintaining the MMP in more of the reservoir with no increase in the injection pressure, (c) better injectivity at the same pressures, and (d) the opportunity to convert more pumped producers to flowing wells. Thermal EOR was not investigated in this work, but the cited references show that horizontal wells have been successful in several field applications and more projects are being planned.

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Horizontal Injection and Production Wells for EOR or Waterflooding

Taber

Seright

1992

Permian Basin Oil and Gas Recovery Conference

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Drilling Short Radius Dual Lateral Wells in Oklahoma: An Operator's Experience

Ellis¹,

Samuel

1997

SPE Production Operations Symposium

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Drilling lateral wells from the same vertical well to improve hydrocarbon production has been successfully applied in many fields. This paper discusses the operator's experience in drilling short radius dual laterals from the same vertical wellbore in the Burbank Sand of the Burbank Field of Osage County, Oklahoma. The laterals were sloped to intersect the many stratified sands and allow gravity drainage to act later in the life of the well.The completion and difficulty in removal of formation damage from use of xanthan gum from polymer sweeps are discussed.

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A Review of Horizontal Methods and Drilling Technology

Cited by 2 publications

References 1 publication

Horizontal Injection and Production Wells for EOR or Waterflooding

Horizontal Injection and Production Wells for EOR or Waterflooding

Drilling Short Radius Dual Lateral Wells in Oklahoma: An Operator's Experience

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