Extended Reach, Horizontal, and Complex Design Wells: Challenges, Achievements 
and Cost-Benefits

Blikra, Harald; Drevdal, K.E.; Aarrestad, T.V.

doi:10.2523/28005-ms

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 2 publications

(2 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…[1][2][3][4] Also, the directional performance of the selectively activated expandable steering pads was observed during the long-term field application of the vertical drilling system in the continental deep drilling program in Germany. Recently, Agip SpA and Baker Hughes Inteq jointly developed an improved version of this system for continuous vertical drilling in the oilfield the "straighthole drilling device.…”

Section: Drilling Experiencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…For extended-reach drilling, the drag limits will reduce the potential final length of the wellpath. [1][2][3][4] This new family of directional drilling tools is based on an alternative steering principle. Directional changes are made while rotating the drillstring, and the steering action comes through radially expandable stabilizer pads (Fig.…”

Section: Tool Functionalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Advanced Tools for Advanced Wells: Rotary Closed-Loop Drilling System-Results of Prototype Field Testing

Poli¹,

Donati²,

Oppelt

et al. 1998

SPE Drilling &Amp; Completion

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A new tool (or better a new tool system) is showing up to face the "advanced wells" challenge in the next years. Having spent the first part of an extensive period of field testing, the system called "Rotary Closed-Loop System" (ROLS) looks much closer to being run in any extended reach, deep horizontal or complex multilateral well, also in an HP-HT environment. The ROLS was designed to automatically control the well geometry during directional drilling, even while rotating the drill string. The well path is adjusted by hydraulically powered expandable ribs which generate a radial steering contact force to the borehole wall. The amount and direction of the steering force is controlled by the integral downhole electronics, which are capable of steering the well to the desired direction. All parts of the system except a short steering sleeve work continuously in rotation. The ROLS may be operated with or without a downhole motor. Several sub-systems of ROLS have been field tested during 1994 and 1995, e.g., the hydraulic components, most electronic modules, and the bottom-to-surface communication. The first field trial of the complete unit was conducted in late 1995 in a special test well at Montrose, Scotland. Here, for the first time, the full scale of ROLS features was verified, such as the automated steering into any direction as required, the two-way communication link, and the programming of the downhole tool from the surface while drilling. On the basis of findings from this early field application, some technical changes were then made. The field test program was further continued in early 1996 to check ROLS drilling and directional performance with further broadened operating parameters. During the time at Montrose a total of 3,500 ft (1,067 m) have been drilled. The inclination was built from 50 to 710, and the total drilling time has been 354 hrs. All major functions of the system have been fully verified. One major application of the Rotary Closed Loop System will be to steer wells in extended horizontal sections when steerable motors are difficult to operate. Additionally, because of the elimination of sliding operation together with the precise course correction capability, conventional directional wells will also highly benefit in many cases. Introduction Drilling deep, highly deviated wells often requires the application of versatile systems for directional control.

show abstract

Section: Drilling Experiencementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Tool Functionalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Advanced Tools for Advanced Wells: Rotary Closed-Loop Drilling System-Results of Prototype Field Testing

Poli¹,

Donati²,

Oppelt

et al. 1998

SPE Drilling &Amp; Completion

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Now, one company has reported drilling more than 2,100 horizontal wells in North America (1) . Advances have also been achieved in the depths drilled, reaching 8,761m (2) and lengths now reaching up to 11 km. Multi-lateral wells, with four or more side-tracks, are not uncommon and offer further optimization gains.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

THAI-New Air Injection Technology for Heavy Oil Recovery and In Situ Upgrading

Gréaves

Saghr

Xia

et al. 2001

Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

THAI-"Toe-to-Heel" Air Injection, is a new EOR process, which integrates advanced technology and horizontal well concepts, to achieve a potentially very high recovery of heavy oil. It can also realize very substantial in situ upgrading by thermal cracking, producing upgraded oil to the surface. The process operates in a gravity stabilized manner by restricting drainage to a narrow mobile zone. This causes the flow of mobilized fluids to enter directly into the exposed section of a horizontal production well. The process can be operated on primary production, asnew technology, as a follow-up to existing technologies, or asa co-process where the advantages of high thermal efficiency are equired. This is achieved by concentrating the energy required for oil mobilization, recovery and thermal upgrading in the reservoir. Combined with clean technology design, THAI offerspathway, to future economic success for the heavy oil industry. Three-dimensional, semi-scaled experimental tests on light "Forties Mix" oil (30.7 °CDATA[API), Clair, West of Shetlands medium heavy oil (20.8 °CDATA[API), and heavy Wolf Lake oil (10.95 °CDATA[API) show that a well-controlled, narrow mobile oil zone is created just ahead of the combustion front. The width of this narrow zone depends on the characteristics of the heavy oil at reservoir conditions and the degree to which the very high viscosity of the cold oil seals the horizontal producer well. Well sealing can be augmented by a novel sleeve-back technique, which allows perforated downstream sections of the well to be shut-in. The application of this technique enabled the light oil test to mimic the operation of a heavy oil reservoir using THAI. Very high oil recoveries were achieved in the tests, up to 85﹪ OOIP. During wet in situ combustion (ISC), Wolf Lake oil was upgraded to 20 °CDATA[API, achieving a reduction in the cold oil viscosity from 100,000 mPas to around 50 mPas. Introduction Horizontal and multi-lateral wells are being introduced in ever increasing numbers to achieve further gains in reservoir productivity. Two hundred horizontal wells were drilled a decade ago. Now, one company has reported drilling more than 2,100 horizontalwells in North America(1). Advances have also been achieved in the depths drilled, reaching 8,761m(2) and lengths now reaching up to 11 km. Multi-lateral wells, with four or more side-tracks, are not uncommon and offer further optimization gains. Moreover, this technology will accommodate reservoir faults and problems of structural geology as regular design factors so that strategic placement of the well path is achieved. More recently, a new technique to control gas and water production rates by varying the fluid entry points has been successfully tested(3). The most important advantage of horizontal wells is the increase in the reservoir contact area compared to a vertical well. Horizontal wells have created new possibilities for the implementation of advanced IOR methods, especially in thermal recovery.

show abstract

Excellence in Environmental Technology and Stewardship — Manifa Mega-Project

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Completion of the Manifa field development mega-project marked the world's largest hydrocarbon production increment in a single phase. Just as significant as its considerably large production scale, the project involved several green initiatives, including broad-spectrum environment conservation and protection, air pollution controls, and coastal/marine protection. Manifa's coastal and ecologically sensitive location is a source of livelihood for local farmers and contains habitat for fish, shrimp, coral reefs, and endangered species. Consequent upon the richness of species in the zone, the field warranted a development solution that was a balance between environmental stewardship and operational excellence. During Manifa's field development, a critically important environmental strategy was also developed for the construction of the causeway, central processing facility, gas and oil separation, water injection, and cogeneration plants, and 15 offshore platforms for oil production and water injection, with associated subsea pipelines and power communication cables. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) was completed and a continuous environmental monitoring program (EMP) was implemented during dredging and disposal of dredged materials, prior to and during the construction location of 27 man-made islands to achieve the EIA's mitigation criteria and guidelines. Four (4) studies were also commissioned by the King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in collaboration with the Spanish research institute AZTI-Technalia. The successful grassroots development of Manifa, without sacrificing a responsibility to protect the environment, is a testimony to the careful integration of interdisciplinary approaches from project onception to completion; and from exploration to delivery of hydrocarbons to end users. Innovative solutions led to contractor partnering, a strong health, safety and environment (HSE) culture and an exemplary environmental awareness and conservation approach, which resulted in a successful project with a positive influence on Saudi Arabia, the region and other parts of the world.

show abstract

Extended Reach, Horizontal, and Complex Design Wells: Challenges, Achievements and Cost-Benefits

Cited by 5 publications

References 2 publications

Advanced Tools for Advanced Wells: Rotary Closed-Loop Drilling System-Results of Prototype Field Testing

Advanced Tools for Advanced Wells: Rotary Closed-Loop Drilling System-Results of Prototype Field Testing

THAI-New Air Injection Technology for Heavy Oil Recovery and In Situ Upgrading

Excellence in Environmental Technology and Stewardship — Manifa Mega-Project

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About