Introduction

What is the horizontal well?

Applications of H.D.
H.D. technique.
Factors influencing H.D.
Keys to successful horizontal well.
Types of horizontal wells.
Horizontal well costs.

Nov 6, 2020 2
 Introduction
Equipment .
Bottom hole assemblies.
Advantages & Disadvantages of H.D.
Operational problems related to H.D.
Conclusions.

Nov 6, 2020 3
 Well Profile

Nov 6, 2020 4
 Horizontal drilling steps

Nov 6, 2020 5
Applications of Horizontal Wells
• Reach irregular reservoirs without additional
wells.
• Maximize recovery efficiency of reservoir energy.
• Limit invasion of unwanted formation fluid.
• Penetrate natural vertical fracture missed by
conventional well-bore.
• Increase production in low permeability formation.
• Maximize production from low energy reservoir.

Nov 6, 2020 6
 Horizontal Drilling Applications

Nov 6, 2020 7
 Water and Gas Coning

• Some oil reservoirs must be operated at

flow rate that is lower than so-called
critical rate.
• Over and above this rate, water coning
occurs from a lower water layer into a
flowing oil well and/or the coning of a gas
cap down to the oil well.

Nov 6, 2020 8
 Reducing water coning

Nov 6, 2020 9
 Reducing water coning
• If the oil production rate increases, then
the pressure gradients increase and the
water layer becomes steeper and rises
higher.
• At some production rate, the slope of the
water interface becomes vertical and
water is rapidly drawn into the production
well.
• The rate at which this breakdown occurs is
called the critical production rate.
Nov 6, 2020 10
Nov 6, 2020 11
 Gas Reservoirs
• In a vertical gas producing well, the
velocity of the gas near the walls is very
high causing turbulence phenomena to
occur.
• While in a long horizontal drain, the flow
velocities are much lower & turbulence
effect is negligible.
• Therefore, the increase in productivity of a
horizontal well is even greater for gas
reservoirs.
Nov 6, 2020 12
 Reducing gas coning

Nov 6, 2020 13
Nov 6, 2020 14
 Formation Damage
• Residues and mud filtrates often cause
considerable loss of permeability in the
close vicinity of the wellbore.
• This damage to the formation is
sometimes irreparable.
• This damage is characterized by the skin
effect.
• Skin damage and/or reservoir damage
appear to be major cause of poor results.

Nov 6, 2020 15
 Formation Damage
• In vertical holes, the pressure drop due to
the skin effect is proportional to the value
of S/hp.
• In horizontal wells, the skin effect then
becomes (S/L) ( Kh/Kv)0.5.
• Therefore, as the horizontal length L
increases, the role of formation damage in
total pressure drop can become negligible.

Nov 6, 2020 16
 Sand Control
• When an unconsolidated formation is
produced, sand control often presents
serious problems.
• Viscosity forces in the vicinity of the hole is
one of the parameters that affects sand
failure.
• These forces are proportional to the fluid
flow velocities.
• The mean flow velocities in a horizontal
well is lower by the ratio hp/L.
Nov 6, 2020 17
 Sand Control Case
• A horizontal well has been drilled and
completed in an unconsolidated sand
reservoir with a simple perforated liner.
• It has been operated for almost two years
without producing any perceptible quantity
of sand at the surface.
• However, this success may only be
temporary.

Nov 6, 2020 18
Intersection of vertical fractures

Nov 6, 2020 19
 Enhanced oil recovery

Nov 6, 2020 20
 Reducing the number of
wells &platforms required to
develop an offshore field .

Increased production from

single well.

Nov 6, 2020 21
 Development of Non-
petroleum resources

Nov 6, 2020 22
 Develop uneconomic fields.

Tight reservoirs.

Nov 6, 2020 23
 Considerations in Selecting
Horizontal Wells
• Horizontal drilling is best suited to
production drilling, not exploratory.
• It is best used when a great deal of
subsurface, reservoir and production data
has been compiled.

Nov 6, 2020 24
 Parameters Considered
• depth,
• pay thickness,
• reservoir drive mechanism,
• porosity,
• absolute permeability,
• formation pressure,
• characteristics of reservoir rocks,
• original saturations,
• oil and gas characteristics,…..
Nov 6, 2020 25
 Parameters Considered
• reservoir temperature,
• vertical restrictions within the reservoir,
• location of lease lines,
• required spacing,
• production history,
• hydrocarbons originally in place,
• hydrocarbons remaining,
• casing and hole sizes,
• anticipated completion and production
techniques,
•Nov 6,economics
2020 and market. 26
 Keys to successful horizontal
Drilling
• Adequate pressure in the reservoir.
• Correct orientation.
• Adequate length.
• Sufficient permeability.
• Sufficient well spacing.
• Acceptable formation damage.

Nov 6, 2020 27
 Horizontal Drilling Systems
• The presently available horizontal drilling
methods can be classified in four broad
categories.
• This Depends upon the turning radius
required to turn from a vertical to a
horizontal direction.

Nov 6, 2020 28
 Horizontal Drilling Systems
• Another step in choosing a good candidate
for horizontal well is to classify the well as:
• long radius,
• medium radius,
• short radius.

Nov 6, 2020 29
Nov 6, 2020 30
Nov 6, 2020 31
 Horizontal Drilling Systems
• Long radius wells build at 1° to 6°/100 ft.
• Medium radius wells build at 8° to 20°/100 ft
• Short radius wells build angle at 1.5° to 3°/ ft.
• Long and medium radius wells use conventional
or slightly modified equipment with standard
directional drilling practices.
• Short radius wells use unconventional drilling
techniques.

Nov 6, 2020 32
 Horizontal Drilling Systems

• Such wells can be used in four main

areas : exploration, development, infill and
re-entry.
• Each of these applications will, by itself,
dictate the method to be used.

Nov 6, 2020 33
 Applications for long radius
• The borehole has an inclination at rates 1 to 6
degree per 100 ft.
• Horizontal section extends up to 3000-30000 ft.
• Therefore, the long radius holes are used in
conjunction with extended reach drilling.
• This is applied on off-shore platforms.
• Reaching out under town sites, rivers, lakes or
inaccessible mountainous terrain.

Nov 6, 2020 34
Nov 6, 2020 35
 Advantages of long radius
horizontal wells
• It has long reach (3000 ft or more).
• Conventional rotary tools and techniques may
be used.
• Standard tubular and casing may be used.
• The wellbore may be more adaptable to
selective completions and all types of artificial
lift.
• Easily logged and surveyed with the
conventional tools and equipment.
Nov 6, 2020 36
 Disadvantages of long radius
horizontal wells
• Increased cost and time required to complete these
holes.
• It has long control path.
• It also may be necessary to live with troublesome
formations for extended length of time.
• Torque and drag can become a problem at
long distance from the wellhead.
• Small and thin targets are more difficult to
hit, due to the greater variability in the build
radius encountered.
Nov 6, 2020 37
 Application for medium radius
• Turning radius from a vertical to a horizontal
direction is about 300 to 700 ft, using 8° to 20°
per 100 ft.
• Primary advantage versus long-radius drilling is
that the well profile is shorter.
• Less TVD, departure, and measured depth are
used during the build up section.
• Vertical portion of the well can be drilled deeper
and casing can be set deeper before starting
directional drilling.
Nov 6, 2020 38
 Application for medium radius

Medium radius drilling systems are very

effective in:
• penetrating thin target zones
• long lateral reach with minimum
displacement,
• where directional control or re-entry may
be required.
Nov 6, 2020 39
Nov 6, 2020 40
 Application for medium radius

• The medium radius wells are drilled

with more or less conventional rotary
equipment.
• It also employs down hole motors,
MWD, compressive service drill pipe
and power swivels or top drive.

Nov 6, 2020 41
 Advantages of medium radius
• They can reach the target faster and in
less horizontal displacement (in case
of lease restrictions).
• Unstable and troublesome formations can
be drilled in a shorter length of time.
• Thin targets are more likely to be hit
where the build rates are more
consistent.

Nov 6, 2020 42
Nov 6, 2020 43
Nov 6, 2020 44
 Application for short radius
• Requires a very sharp build up rate
section, 1 - 3.5° / ft, followed, by a
relatively short horizontal section (400 ft).
• Use of more sophisticated drilling tools.
• Unconventional completion and logging
techniques are the major drawbacks.

Nov 6, 2020 45
 Advantages of Short Wells
• Leases of limited size.
• It isolates troublesome formations and reduces
the risk of hole problems.
• Allows pumping equipment to be placed deep in
the vertical section of the hole near the
production zone without excessive bending or
wear on pump rods.
• This is very useful in a low pressure reservoir.

Nov 6, 2020 46
Nov 6, 2020 47
Nov 6, 2020 48
Nov 6, 2020 49
 Advantages of short radius
• In gas drive reservoir, the main string can be
set across the gas cap before start drilling in
the target zone.
• Drilling in Shallow reservoirs
• As a rule, the more curved hole, the
more predictable or controllable the radius
has to be.
• Therefore, short radius drilling system allows
thin targets to be hit easily.
Nov 6, 2020 50
Nov 6, 2020 51
 Horizontal well costs

Nov 6, 2020 52
 Horizontal well costs
• Horizontal drilling is typically, initially more
expensive and more difficult than
conventional directional and vertical
techniques.
• Drilling a horizontal well, is now being used
to improve the efficiency and economy of oil
recovery operations.

Nov 6, 2020 53
 Horizontal well costs
The costs of drilling a
horizontal well depend on
many factors. however, the
drilling costs may be
reconciled into three
sections of the hole:-
1. The vertical section.
2. The buildup section(s).
3. The horizontal section.

Nov 6, 2020 54
 Horizontal well costs
In comparison with vertical
holes, horizontal holes most
likely will have added costs in
the following areas:-
1. Equipment.
2. Casing and tubing.
3. Mud and mud handling
equipment.

Nov 6, 2020 55
 Equipment

Nov 6, 2020 56
• Positive
displacement motor-
PDM:-

Nov 6, 2020 58
Measurement while drilling (MWD)

Nov 6, 2020 59
 COMPRESSION SERVICE DRILL PIPE

Nov 6, 2020 60
XTERNAL CASING PACKERS

Nov 6, 2020 61
 Stabilizers

Nov 6, 2020 62
Bottom hole assemblies
Types of Bits
(PDC bits)
Rig Selection For Horizontal
Wells
 Factors to be considered

Top drive/power swivel torque rating.

• Draw works rating.
• Pump capacity.
• Drill-pipe rating.
• Solid control equipment.

Nov 6, 2020 66
Drain hole technique
 .Slant and H.D

Nov 6, 2020 68
 Operational problems
• Drilling and completion of horizontal wells
introduce many problems:
• exerting weight on bit,
• running in tools,
• hole cleaning,
• logging,
• running and cementing casing.

Nov 6, 2020 69
Future project
• The production rate is controlled by
pressure gradients between the
reservoir and the borehole.
• Most of the reservoir pressure decline
occurs close to the well.
• In order to achieve greater production
rate, it is necessary to decrease the
resistance to flow within the reservoir,
particularly in the near well bore region.

Nov 6, 2020 71
 • The most common approach is to use
multiple wells, and to locate these
throughout the producing reservoir.
• This approach reduces the near well-bore
resistance by increasing the contact area
between the reservoir and the producing
wells.
• The average distance that fluids have to flow
before production is shorter, and this is to
reduce the overall resistance to flow.

Nov 6, 2020 72
 • The construction of wells which
penetrate the reservoir horizontally,
provides an alternative means for
improving contact with the reservoir.
• The improvement offered by horizontal
wells allows lower fluid velocities at the
well-bore while still providing total flows
which are economic.

Nov 6, 2020 73
 Factors Influencing Horizontal
well productivity

Nov 6, 2020 74
Nov 6, 2020 75
 Productivity Index
• A comparison of productivity index ratios
for the three situations shown:
• where  = 3, 1, and 0.5
• three net thickness h = 20, 100, and 200 ft
respectively in the above figure.

Nov 6, 2020 76
 Productivity Index
• The value of β is crucial.
• If β value is high (~3), the productivity index
ratio will be reasonably small.
• If β is small, as would be the case in formations
with massive vertical natural fissures, then the
productivity index ratio can be extremely large.
• The figure also indicates that the reservoir
thickness is important.
• Horizontal wells are comparatively more
attractive for thinner formations.
Nov 6, 2020 77
 Drilling Technique
• For directional wells with inclinations of 20
- 40°, the component of gravity force is
sufficient to allow tools to be run easily
and exert enough WOB.
• As the angle of the hole increases, this
axial component reduces, while the
component perpendicular to the hole axis
increases.
• These give rise to many problems.

Nov 6, 2020 78
 Problems Associated

1. Delivering Weight to the bit.

2. Cleaning cuttings out of the hole.
3. Reducing torque and drag forces.
4. Keeping directional control.
5. Running logging tools.

Nov 6, 2020 79
 Delivering Weight to Bit
• In normal drilling operations, the weight of
the drill collars is sufficient to drive the bit
and maintain good rate of penetration.
• The magnitude of the axial component
approaches zero in a horizontal hole since
the cosine of the average angle of
inclination reaches zero at 90 degrees.

Nov 6, 2020 80
Nov 6, 2020 81
 Delivering Weight to Bit
• The bottom hole assembly is to be
carefully selected to overcome these
problems.
• The high bit speed, can practically
compensate for the reduction in available
weight on bit due to the hole angle and
drag effects.
• In most cases it is advantageous to run
the drill collars in the least deviated or
even in the vertical section of the hole.
Nov 6, 2020 82
Nov 6, 2020 83
 Delivering Weight to Bit
• Running HWDP in the upper deviated section
has been shown to add additional axial weight
while minimizing the tendency to stick the pipe
due to differential pressure.
• The smaller diameter pipe reduces contact area
and the tool joints provide wall stand-offs.
• To provide stiffness, non magnetic
environment, and desired bit performance, a
few NMDC with stabilization, followed by
HWDP, can be used to complete BHA.
Nov 6, 2020 84
Cleaning Cuttings out of Hole
• As the inclination of the well-bore
increases, the tendency for the drill
cuttings to drop onto the low side of the
hole increases.
• Continued build-up of cuttings will increase
the risk of pipe sticking, since the drill
collars will tend to sag against the low side
of the hole.
• Any precautions taken to avoid stuck pipe
in conventional wells apply also to
horizontal wells.
Nov 6, 2020 85
Cleaning Cuttings out of Hole
Eccentric tool joints
• As the drill string rotates, the eccentric
tool joints will stir up any cuttings that
have been deposited, and returning them
to the main flow stream.

Nov 6, 2020 86
Cleaning Cuttings out of Hole
Reverse circulating subs
• These can be made up as part of the
bottom hole assembly to direct flow from
the drill string into the annulus to move
cuttings off the side of the borehole.

Nov 6, 2020 87
Cleaning Cuttings out of Hole
Top drive system
• The pipe often becomes stuck when tripping out
of the hole in unstable formation.
• This may also be due to cuttings settling out
after circulation stopped.
• When stuck pipe is detected, circulation and
rotation of the string should begin as quickly as
possible.
• The top drive system can be quickly stabbed into
the top joint of the drill pipe during
tripping to allow rotation and circulation.
Nov 6, 2020 88
Cleaning Cuttings out of Hole
• In this process which is known as "back
reaming", the cuttings beds is re-grinded
to reduce a proportion of the solids to
a very fine powder.
• This can help to improve the cutting
return, however it places a great strain
on the solids control equipment to
maintain the desired properties of the fluid.

Nov 6, 2020 89
Cleaning Cuttings out of Hole

Mud properties
• The properties of the drilling fluid is to be
carefully tailored to achieve good hole
cleaning.
• The most important parameter is the yield
point of the mud, which may have to be
increased considerably in a highly
deviated well.

Nov 6, 2020 90
Cleaning Cuttings out of Hole
• It is essential that the cutting lifted out of
the annulus is effectively removed on
surface before re-cycling.
• The solid content of the mud should be
closely monitored.
• It is essential to have the solid control
equipment such as shakers, hydro-
cyclones, mud cleaners, de-sanders and
de-silters.
• The finest solids may require centrifuge
separators.
Nov 6, 2020 91
 Penetration Rate Equation

R=Wk NmDf / Tr

R =penetration rate (ft/hr)

W = weight on bit (lb)
N =rotary speed (rpm)
T = bit tooth dullness (in.)
Df = drillability constant
k = exponent indicator of bit weight
m = exponent indicator of rotary speed
r = exponent indicator for tooth dullness
Nov 6, 2020 92
 Effect of Solids Content

•The effect of solids content can be calculated

using the following empirical equation:

Rm/Rw = 1 - 0.0133F - 0.00114C

where:
Rw = penetration rate if water is used (assume
100%)
Rm = penetration rate if mud is used
F = mud particles less than 1µ (lb/bbl)
C = mud particles greater than 1µ (lb/bbl)
Nov 6, 2020 93
 Cleaning Cuttings out of Hole
• The annular velocity must remain high enough
to remove these cuttings effectively.
• It is sometimes necessary to exceed the
maximum recommended pressure drop over
the motor to achieve sufficient velocity.
• Although this will shorten the motor stator's and
bearings' life, but it is considered to be a
worthwhile sacrifice.

Nov 6, 2020 94
 Reducing Torque and Drag Forces

• As the inclination of the hole increases,

drag increases.
• The downward movement will only
occur if the axial component (W cos
a ) is greater than the drag (W sin a f).
• Also there will be a frictional force
resisting rotational movement of the drill-
string.
Nov 6, 2020 95
 Reducing Torque and Drag Forces

• Friction coefficient will drop with the use of oil

mud.
• Also the rotation of the pipe will reduce the
normal component of drag in a dynamic
system.
• Therefore, a combination of mud programming
and the design of bottom hole assembly should
be considered.

Nov 6, 2020 96
 Reducing Torque and Drag Forces
• Oil mud can alleviate problems associated with
shale hydration and increase well-bore lubricity.
• Mud additives help relieve torque problems.
• Torque Trim as a lubricants
• Glass beads, as a mechanical remedies, act as
ball bearings when embedded in mud cake.
(Lubra-glide)
• They will help to minimize torque, drag, and
wall sticking tendencies.

Nov 6, 2020 97
 Reducing Torque and Drag Forces
• The use of light, and more buoyant, aluminum
drill pipe is to be considered.
• This reduces torsional and axial drag caused by
friction.
• The ability of the string to carry a compressive
load using aluminum drill pipe should be
considered.
• The gravitational force stabilizes the string and
allows it to carry axial compressive load without
buckling.

Nov 6, 2020 98
 Reducing Torque and Drag Forces

As a Conclusion
• The use of invert oil emulsions
and aluminum drill pipe present
significant changes for most
normal drilling operations.

Nov 6, 2020 99
 Keeping Directional Control
• Most of the applications of horizontal
wells, rely on their success for accurate
placement within the reservoir.
• Therefore, precise directional control of
the well-path is vital to make the
horizontal well effective.

Nov 6, 2020 100

 Keeping Directional Control
• The unusually low weight on bit and the
unknown formation reaction tendencies at high
angles, make prediction of bit and bottom hole
assembly performance difficult.
• In most cases, holding the direction at an angle
close to 90° is less of a problem than in the
build section, where bottom hole assemblies
are generally more stable.
• This is probably due to less formation walking
tendencies.
Nov 6, 2020 101
 Keeping Directional Control
• Azimuth correction at high angle may be very
risky.
• In order to provide an accurate well path
control, some form of continuous
survey/orientation instrument (MWD), is to be
used in the build up section.
• Steerable system also allows for controlling the
well path without the conventional trips to adjust
the bottom hole assembly.
Nov 6, 2020 102
 Drilling and Drill String Considerations
• The effective weight applied on bit decreases as
the inclination of the well increases.
• In horizontal wells the gravity forces are acting
in a direction perpendicular to the direction of
the forces applied to the bit in the horizontal
section.
• Thus the tubular immediately above the bottom
hole assembly in the horizontal section can not
be used to provide any of the bit load.
• The weight of the tubular in the horizontal
section is applied to the low side of the well
bore, thus increasing drag and torque in the
horizontal portion of the hole.
Nov 6, 2020 103
 Drilling and Drill String Considerations
The horizontal hole can be divided into four
sections:
• The vertical portion of the hole above the
KOP.
• The lower angle portion of the build curve,
i.e., from KOP to about 60° inclination.
• The last portion of the build curve i.e. from
60° to 90°.
• The horizontal part of the build curve to the
top of BHA.

Nov 6, 2020 104

Nov 6, 2020 105
 Drilling and Drill String Considerations
• In section four, the selected pipe must be
capable of transmitting the axial and torsional
loads required during drilling and tripping.
• It provides a mechanically suitable section that
generates the minimum frictional torque and
drag under its intended use.
• Optimum design for this section is to consider
the light weight pipe that can safely handle the
torque and axial load without buckling.

Nov 6, 2020 106

 Drilling and Drill String Considerations

• Section three has the same

requirements as section four, except
that the pipe in this interval must also
be able to handle the bending
stresses.
• Buckling in the build portion of the
hole is quite unlikely.

Nov 6, 2020 107

 Drilling and Drill String Considerations

• The pipe selected for this interval must be able

to perform in both section three and section
four, because of the position change.
• Although the weight of the pipe in section three
does contribute to the available axial load for
the bit, but its contribution is so low that the
available weight of the pipe in this interval
should not be a design consideration.

Nov 6, 2020 108

 Drilling and Drill String Considerations
• Section two has the same requirements as the
pipe in section three except that in this portion
of the hole the weight of the pipe does
contribute significantly to the available bit load.
• The pipe selection for interval two must function
adequately in interval one, to provide the
additional length required for bit advance.
• Therefore, section two is the interval that is
most often ideally suited for heavy weight drill
pipe.
Nov 6, 2020 109
 Drilling and Drill String Considerations

• Section one is needed to provide the

final source of axial bit load if the
requirements are modest.
• One can use the same type of pipe as in
interval two, which is typically heavy
weight drill pipe.
• If a high axial loading required, it may be
necessary to use drill collars.

Nov 6, 2020 110

 Typical drill string design for horizontal well •

2000

4000 Premium Drillpipe

6000
HWDP
Depth, ft

MWD/LWD
8000
Non-mag
10,000 Higher Weight Steerable Motor
Compressive
or Standard
Service Pipe
12,000 Drillpipe

14,000
Bit

16,000
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
Departure, ft
Nov 6, 2020 111
 Long Radius
• The well profile is to be flexible enough to cope
with unexpected behavior of BHA or with any
change in lithology.
• The usual well profile consists of a double kick
off profile with a tangent section between the
kick offs.
• The upper curved section has a great impact on
the level of drags.
• Therefore, it must be built at the minimum build
up rate keeping the high build up rate at the
bottom curved section.
Nov 6, 2020 112
 Long Radius
• As the final inclination is achieved, build
assembly will be replaced with either a motor or
rotary angle hold assembly.
• However, if the horizontal section lies in a
formation having directional drift tendencies, a
steerable motor system may be considered.

Nov 6, 2020 113

Nov 6, 2020 114
 Long Radius
• In the lateral section, the following
should be considered:
• Configuration of the bottom hole assemblies,
to minimize weight and drag.
• Rotation of the drillstring, to stir the cuttings and
keep the cutting bed to minimum.
• Short trips tend to make cuttings into a pile
which can then be stirred into suspension.
• A final clean-up with high viscosity
sweeps and mechanical stirring will allow
casing, liner, or production equipment to be run.
Nov 6, 2020 115
 Long Radius
Directional control
• In oriented motor drilling, MWD offer the
highest efficiency.
• At low angles, single shot surveys may
offer acceptable results.
• As the length of the curve increases, pipe
drag and wireline time reduce the
accuracy of the single shot method.
Nov 6, 2020 116
 Medium Radius
• A typical well profile for a medium radius well, is
the same as the long radius well, and consists
of a double kick off profile with a tangent
section between the kick offs.
• The purpose of the tangent section is to
compensate for any discrepancy between the
actual and the planned build rate.
• If the rate of build observed in the first build
portion of the curve is lower than expected, the
tangent section will be shorter or vice versa.
Nov 6, 2020 117
Nov 6, 2020 118
 Medium Radius
• The build up sections is to be drilled with
the angle build assembly.
• This assembly is driven by a low speed
high torque PDM customized with special
stabilizers.
• This angle build assembly is engineered
as a "three point" building assembly which
drills a true circular arc path in the plane of
orientation.

Nov 6, 2020 119

 Medium Radius
• Since any three points which are not in a
line describe an arc, the build angle motor
introduce three control points:
• the drill bit,
• the upper stabilizer,
• lower stabilizer.
• Knowing the distance and angles between
the points, the theoretical build rate can be
calculated.
Nov 6, 2020 120
 Medium Radius
• Another major type of motor system used
to build the angle in a medium radius well
is the bent housing steerable motor.
• While the steerable motors make it
relatively easy to correct well path, they
are less predictable in terms of build rates.

Nov 6, 2020 121

 Medium Radius
• Build rates greater than 20° per 100ft
require special "compressive" drill pipe run
in compression beneath the drill collar.
• Compressive drill pipe can withstand the
cyclic stresses through the curve section
of the hole.

Nov 6, 2020 122

Nov 6, 2020 123
 Medium Radius
• Compressive service drill pipe is manufactured
from S-135 grade drill pipe, with 5 inch integral
wear knots at 10ft or 7.5ft intervals.
• The wear knots keep the pipe centralized in the
hole, preventing contacting the side.
• Compressive drill pipe reduces both rotary
torque, drag and differential sticking, besides
providing a more efficient weight to the bit.
• It is used as a part of the angle build and hold
assemblies.

Nov 6, 2020 124

 Medium Radius
• Same as the long radius wells, rotary or
steerable motor angle hold assembly is
used for drilling the tangent and horizontal
sections.
• A typical steerable motor includes a
Double Tilted Universal joint (DTU).

Nov 6, 2020 125

 Medium Radius
• In drilling the lateral section, a simultaneous
rotation, reciprocation, circulation, and reaming
during tripping should be considered, to
minimize pipe sticking.
• This can be done by using the Top drive unit.
• A Top drive system involves rotating the drill
string using a power swivel instead of the Kelly
and rotary table.
• Therefore, it enables the hole to be drilled in
90ft stands thus saving the rig time.
Nov 6, 2020 126
 Medium Radius
• Directional control is more critical than long
radius, because of drilling with higher build
rates.
• Survey, and directional tool face data should be
controlled and reviewed more often.
• MWD is used more often for medium radius
jobs.
• Re-entry projects may require use of gyro or
other non-magnetic methods for kick off.

Nov 6, 2020 127

 Medium Radius
• In thin target zone, it is advisable to
keep an MWD in the bottom hole
assembly so that any necessary
correction can be made immediately.

Nov 6, 2020 128

 Short Radius

• Horizontal well with build rates of 1° to 3.5°

per ft producing a 20ft to 40ft radius curve
from vertical to horizontal.
• It employs more flexible or articulated tools
to drill dog legs ranging from 60 to 300
degrees per 100ft.

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 Short Radius
Short radius system includes:
• an orientation assembly,
• a non-rotating angle building assembly,
• flexible drive pipe and
• a stabilized straight-drilling assembly.
• A power swivel is typically used for surface
rotation.

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 Short Radius
• The angle build assembly deflects the wellbore
from vertical to horizontal.
• It consists of a non-rotating flexible shell that
gives curvature to the tool.
• An internal drive shaft transmits rotation of the
above string to the bit with the help of bearing
located at the top and bottom of the assembly.
• The bearing packs transfer the weight to and
from the guide-shell.

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 Short Radius
• The curve drilling assembly can be driven
by a mud motor.
• A PDM is used to drive a flexible shaft
within articulated joints, where the flexible
shaft imparts the rotation to the bit.

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Nov 6, 2020 134
 Short Radius
• kick off point for the build section is in
open hole.
• However, it can be quite involved in cased
holes.
• A "false" open hole has to be created by
milling a section of the casing,

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Nov 6, 2020 136
 Short Radius
Steps of Drilling Short Radius Sections:
• 1. Drill the building curve with the curved
drilling assembly,
• 2. Lower the stabilized hold assembly
through the completed curve.
• 3. The horizontal portion of the hole is
drilled and surveyed in stages until the
target is reached.

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 Short Radius
• The angle hold assembly utilizes two near
bit under-gauged stabilizers with a
universal joint or a flexible drive pipe
between them.
• The build and hold assemblies described
above are rotary assemblies.
• N.B. Down hole motors are not flexible
enough to pass through a short radius
curve.

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 Short Radius
• A new short radius system has been
used recently in the United States known
as short radius Articulated Motor
system.
• This system employs shortened motor
sections joined by articulated couplings to
permit the flexibility required to drill a short
radius curve.

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 Ultra Short Radius
• This method involves building of 90° in a
matter of inches rather than feet.
• The system has virtually no build section.
• The ultra-short radius system uses
specialized equipment and requires some
wellbore enlargement in the vicinity of the
lateral target.
• This system is not a conventional rotating
drilling system but rather a jetting system.
Nov 6, 2020 140
 Ultra Short Radius
• High pressure water jet on the end of coil
tubing cuts a 3 - 6 inches diameter hole.
• The lateral departure is limited to several
hundred feet, depending on the formation
hardness and jetting head.
• Up to 4 laterals in a single plane from a
single wellbore can be jetted.
• The lateral section also may be gravel
packed.
Nov 6, 2020 141
 Ultra Short Radius
• For a cased hole, a section is cut and
underreamed to accommodate partial
insertion and expansion of the control and
guidance mechanism which bends and
directs the tubing to jet the lateral section.

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 Petrolphysics Ultrashort System
High Pressure Tubing
Casing

Anchor

Underreamed Zone

Radial Tube

Nov 6, 2020 143

Nov 6, 2020 144
 Summary
• Since the early 1980s, horizontal
drilling has been used to improve
production of oil and gas wells
throughout the world.
• The technique is suited to many
applications, including low
permeability formations and for solving
water and gas coning problems.

Nov 6, 2020 145

• Horizontal holes have been drilled in
conjunction with vertical steam injectors
to produce heavy oil pay zones.
• The technique is also used to produce
methane from coal seam.
• BHA design is the key of success.
• Open mind and experience are the keys
to be a good directional drilling
engineer.

Nov 6, 2020 146

 Thank You
Nov 6, 2020 147