Why Multilateral Cemented Junction Wells Can Help Economics for Development Projects in Oil and Gas Shale Reserves

Vento, Mario; Durst, Doug

doi:10.2118/178171-ms

Day 3 Thu, January 28, 2016 2016

DOI: 10.2118/178171-ms

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Why Multilateral Cemented Junction Wells Can Help Economics for Development Projects in Oil and Gas Shale Reserves

Mario Vento

Doug Durst

Abstract: Multilateral wells have been routinely drilled for several applications, with shale plays representing a natural progression for its use. Augmenting a multilateral well with selective fracturing of each leg is as straightforward as fracturing a single horizontal well. Multilateral wells with cemented junctions provide a good alternative to improve the economics for the development of oil and gas shale-reserve projects. This paper provides a description of the primary reasons for improving development project e… Show more

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2023

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Cited by 3 publications

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Multidiscipline Well Construction Process Integrates Advanced Engineering Design and MSF Technologies to Deliver Arabian Gulf Trilateral Well

Adewuya

Alqurashi

Urbina-Arias

et al. 2023

Day 1 Sun, February 19, 2023

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The use of multilateral well designs and architectures have progressed significantly since the introduction nearly three decades ago. It has become the de-facto approach for unlocking incremental production performance and increasing drainage density in sands and limestone reservoirs. The tri-lateral well featured in this paper is a TAML Level-2 design with each 6000 ft lateral geosteered and completed by running open-hole packers equipped with ball-activated frac-ports and sleeves on a non-cemented liner hanger system in the motherbore and drop-off systems in laterals-1 and 2. The pre-drill exercise encompassed technical considerations to determine from ---- reservoir type to well architecture, MSF technology, modelling for fracture stimulation effectiveness and well construction techniques --- to ensure success. Beyond established reservoir development strategies such as Maximum Reservoir Contact (MRC), the robustness and effectiveness of directed stimulation fluid to achieve frac stage deep acid stimulation at design pressures requires open-hole stage isolation technologies and devices that enable confirmation of completion of treatment operation. Additionally, working from bottoms-up, junction construction, debris management, securing well integrity during whipstock installation, window milling and whipstock retrieval are operational phases that pose significant challenge and risk to loss of well. The collaboration between Multilateral equipment design and engineering companies and Operators focus on simplifying junction construction, High frac pressure Open-hole packers as well as affirmative frac port open and close surface indicators. Innovative engineering solutions has produced advanced open-hole isolation and completion hardware and material science developments are offering path clean-up and unobstructed reservoir fluid flow after stage stimulation. The integration of the latest multilateral construction technologies and techniques for ensuring mission-critical objectives leverages a multidiscipline collaboration approach to ensure well delivery and reservoir performance. Critical success factors discussed in this paper are, 1. Tri-lateral wellbore construction and recovery of junction construction devices, 2. Running and setting lower completion string, 3. Operating stage isolation devices and effective stimulation of each stage guided by advanced frac-stimulation modelling analysis and 4. Unrestricted reservoir flow through lower completion flow control devices.

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Multidiscipline Well Construction Process Integrates Advanced Engineering Design and MSF Technologies to Deliver Arabian Gulf Trilateral Well

Adewuya

Alqurashi

Urbina-Arias

et al. 2023

Day 1 Sun, February 19, 2023

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Successful Sidetrack in Challenging Formation Resulted in CAPEX Reduction

Al-Raml,

Ufondu,

Widjaja

et al. 2023

Day 3 Thu, May 25, 2023

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This paper discusses the added value of a new approach to exiting an existing wellbore, where the normal practice forces the plug and abandonment (P&A) of the existing lateral before cutting the window into a new lateral, particularly when an off-bottom cemented (OBC) liner is required. The new approach includes the construction of a Technology Advancement of Multilaterals Level 4 (TAML 4) junction to maintain well integrity and the successful development of a re-entry window that allows access to both the existing and the new slim wells. Not only has this technique unlocked massive potential, but it has also led to an enhancement in the utility and reduction in capital expenditure (CAPEX). The successful Level 4 sidetrack and re-entry window deployment is directly related to the robust system design. The application developed includes an anchor with a guide and high-torque capability, a TAML Level 4 junction created in a shape that will lead to smooth, repeatable access in the future, and a customized re-entry window system to further maximize the well potential. The true value is in allowing access to both the existing and the newly drilled lateral without using a rig or decompleting the well. Such operations use tubing exit whipstock (TEW) and pressure isolation sleeves, both of which can be run and retrieved in a rigless manner. The rigless access has allowed the existing lateral to be used as an observation well. Using permanent downhole gauges (PDHGs) enables real-time monitoring of the pressure and temperature and periodic logging to evaluate the reservoir. The newly drilled lateral can be the primary producing lateral; rigless access equally helps recover the well in case of any production challenges. The newly designed multilateral is a game changer for both mature and new developments because it maximizes reservoir production and helps reduce CAPEX by requiring fewer wells to be drilled. The improved well integrity minimizes well workover operations, which creates cost savings. This paper discusses the following aspects:A successful Level 4 junction construction from a slim re-entry existing/mature well.Repeatable accessibility to the lateral and motherbore.Meeting the motherbore objective as required.Delivering an OBC lateral liner and maintaining the well integrity.

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Multilateral Completion Technology to Improve Reservoir Management

Ameen,

Almasri,

Saleh

et al. 2023

Day 2 Tue, October 17, 2023

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Effective well completion design is crucial to optimize well and field performance, with many operators utilizing different techniques to achieve this important objective. However, the conventional means of designating wells for reservoir monitoring and standalone wells for production presents challenges to cost-effective reservoir management. Vertical observation wells are usually drilled in different locations to monitor the reservoir and assist with planning and intervention decisions by running periodic logs to obtain subsurface information. However, these wells can be costly and occupy valuable space that could be utilized for production. An alternate technique is to drill a pilot hole, perform all the necessary logging, and obtain the required reservoir information. The pilot hole is then plugged and sidetracked to a producer well. Nevertheless, the collected data only remains valid for a limited period due to potential changes to the reservoir. The demand for cost-effective, optimized drilling of production and observation wells has led to a paradigm shift in multilateral well technology that achieves both production and monitoring objectives for both laterals at the same time. Using this enhanced technology, wells can be completed with a pilot hole (vertical) drilled for reservoir evaluation throughout the life of the well, with permanent downhole gauges (PDHGs) installed for pressure and temperature monitoring, while the horizontal lateral functions as an oil and gas producer. Combining the observation and producer wells into one well results in cost savings and enhanced reservoir production and surveillance programs. In addition, the capability to access the lateral allows for intervention in both the motherbore and lateral at any time. Well intervention operations for a well completed with this multilateral technology involve slickline runs to gain access to the horizontal lateral, retrieve an isolation sleeve, and install a tubing exit whipstock (TEW) for lateral re-entry. Later, coiled tubing (CT) or wireline tractor can be run through the window into the lateral to perform the logging and intervention necessary. Upon completion, the TEW is retrieved from the window, the isolation sleeve is reinstalled, and the well is returned to production. Well intervention through such multilateral completion demonstrates the ease and efficiency of accessing both the vertical and horizontal lateral, without requiring a rig or completion retrieval. This paper will highlight the multilateral completion technology for accessing both laterals, which includes real-time monitoring capabilities that provide more reliable data for optimum well and field performance.

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Why Multilateral Cemented Junction Wells Can Help Economics for Development Projects in Oil and Gas Shale Reserves

Cited by 3 publications

References 9 publications

Multidiscipline Well Construction Process Integrates Advanced Engineering Design and MSF Technologies to Deliver Arabian Gulf Trilateral Well

Multidiscipline Well Construction Process Integrates Advanced Engineering Design and MSF Technologies to Deliver Arabian Gulf Trilateral Well

Successful Sidetrack in Challenging Formation Resulted in CAPEX Reduction

Multilateral Completion Technology to Improve Reservoir Management

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