Loading...

An overview to applicability of multilateral drilling in the Middle East Fields

Mirzaei Paiaman, A ; Sharif University of Technology

812 Viewed
  1. Type of Document: Article
  2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2118/123955-MS
  3. Abstract:
  4. There are several types of drilling methods to increase the productivity of a well, such as horizontal drilling, extended reach horizontal drilling and Multilateral (ML) drilling. It is thought that ML wells could be more economic with higher productivities than horizontal or extended reach horizontal wells. Advances in ML drilling promise reduced costs, greater flexibility and increased profit potential. In the last 20 years, thousands of ML wells have been drilled worldwide, but only a small percentage of the total number of wells is multilateral. The probable reason may be lack of concise information and misconceptions surrounding the costs and perceived risks. However, recent advances in the capabilities of the systems and applications have proved ML drilling to be a truly revolutionary and cost effective solution for the industry. This paper investigates the benefits of ML drilling as one of the highly expanded methods. Moreover, advantages, challenges, and priorities of the ML technology are highlighted. Since application of ML wells requires some improvement and development especially in the Middle East, therefore, two case studies from this region are presented. The first case study is the first Saudi Aramco's deep ML gas well, and the second is drilling a dual lateral well in Dukhan field in Qatar. For the first case study, productivity of ML wells is presented. Furthermore, a comparison is made between the productivity of a horizontal and dual ML in order to give a recommendation for one of them. Copyright 2009, Society of Petroleum Engineers
  5. Keywords:
  6. Cost-effective solutions ; Drilling methods ; Dual-lateral well ; Extended reaches ; Gas well ; Horizontal drilling ; Middle East ; Multilateral drilling ; Perceived risk ; Profit-potential ; Reduced cost ; Saudi aramco ; Cost reduction ; Horizontal wells ; Natural gas well production ; Natural gas wells ; Offshore oil wells ; Petroleum deposits ; Productivity ; Profitability ; Research ; Well drilling
  7. Source: Society of Petroleum Engineers - Offshore Europe Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition 2009, OE 2009, 8 September 2009 through 11 September 2009, Aberdeen ; Volume 1 , 2009 , Pages 567-577 ; 9781615675821 (ISBN)
  8. URL: https://www.onepetro.org/conference-paper/SPE-123955-MS