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Glossary of Technical Terms Used in Drilling & Well Completion: Lateral length

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Lateral length

Understanding Lateral Length in Drilling and Well Completion

In the realm of oil and gas exploration, maximizing production from a well hinges on effectively targeting and accessing the reservoir. This is where the concept of lateral length comes into play.

Lateral Length refers to the horizontal distance covered by the wellbore within the pay zone – the area containing the oil or gas deposits. It is a crucial parameter influencing the productivity and economics of a well.

Visualizing Lateral Length:

Imagine a wellbore drilled vertically into the ground, reaching the reservoir. Now, instead of continuing straight down, the wellbore takes a sharp turn, extending horizontally within the reservoir. This horizontal section represents the lateral section of the well. The lateral length is the total length of this horizontal section.

Departure Length vs. Lateral Length:

Often, these two terms are confused. Departure length represents the total horizontal distance travelled by the drill bit from the surface penetration point to the furthest point reached. It includes both the horizontal distance covered while drilling vertically and horizontally.

Why is Lateral Length Important?

  • Increased Contact with Reservoir: A longer lateral section allows the well to intersect a larger portion of the reservoir, potentially increasing the volume of hydrocarbons accessed.
  • Enhanced Production: Greater contact with the reservoir translates to higher flow rates and ultimately, increased production of oil and gas.
  • Targeting Specific Zones: By extending laterally, wells can be drilled to target specific areas of the reservoir with higher permeability or porosity, further optimizing production.
  • Accessing Unconventional Reservoirs: Lateral drilling is particularly crucial in unconventional reservoirs, like shale formations, where maximizing contact with the reservoir is essential for production.

Factors Affecting Lateral Length:

  • Reservoir Geometry: The shape and size of the reservoir determine the potential lateral length that can be achieved.
  • Geological Complexity: The presence of faults, fractures, and other geological features may limit the maximum lateral length.
  • Drilling Technology: Advancements in drilling technologies, like directional drilling and horizontal drilling, allow for the creation of longer laterals.
  • Economic Considerations: The cost of drilling a longer lateral section must be balanced against the potential increase in production.

Conclusion:

Lateral length plays a significant role in optimizing well productivity and maximizing hydrocarbon recovery. By understanding this concept and the factors influencing it, engineers and operators can make informed decisions regarding well design, leading to improved economic outcomes in oil and gas production.

Test Your Knowledge

Quiz on Lateral Length in Drilling and Well Completion

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What is the definition of Lateral Length in drilling?

a) The total distance drilled from the surface to the reservoir. b) The horizontal distance covered by the wellbore within the pay zone. c) The vertical distance from the surface to the top of the reservoir. d) The length of the drill string used in the well.

Answer

b) The horizontal distance covered by the wellbore within the pay zone.

2. How does Lateral Length differ from Departure Length?

a) Lateral Length includes the vertical distance drilled, while Departure Length only includes the horizontal distance. b) Departure Length includes the vertical distance drilled, while Lateral Length only includes the horizontal distance within the pay zone. c) Lateral Length is the same as Departure Length. d) Lateral Length is always shorter than Departure Length.

Answer

b) Departure Length includes the vertical distance drilled, while Lateral Length only includes the horizontal distance within the pay zone.

3. What is a key benefit of increasing Lateral Length in a well?

a) Reducing drilling time. b) Lowering drilling costs. c) Increasing the contact area with the reservoir. d) Reducing the risk of wellbore collapse.

Answer

c) Increasing the contact area with the reservoir.

4. Which of the following factors can limit the maximum Lateral Length achievable in a well?

a) The availability of drilling rigs. b) The presence of geological faults. c) The type of drilling fluid used. d) The diameter of the wellbore.

Answer

b) The presence of geological faults.

5. Which type of reservoir benefits the most from the application of long Lateral Lengths?

a) Conventional reservoirs with high permeability. b) Unconventional reservoirs like shale formations. c) Reservoirs with a large vertical extent. d) Reservoirs with a high oil viscosity.

Answer

b) Unconventional reservoirs like shale formations.

Exercise on Lateral Length

Scenario: You are an engineer designing a new well in a shale gas reservoir. The reservoir is estimated to have a thickness of 50 meters. The planned well will have a vertical depth of 2000 meters before reaching the reservoir. Your company's drilling technology allows for a maximum Lateral Length of 2000 meters.

Task:

  1. Calculate the total Departure Length of the well if you drill the maximum allowed Lateral Length.
  2. Explain why maximizing the Lateral Length is crucial in this specific scenario of a shale gas reservoir.
  3. Discuss one potential geological challenge that could limit the maximum Lateral Length achievable in this well.

Exercice Correction

  1. Total Departure Length:

    • Vertical depth: 2000 meters
    • Lateral Length: 2000 meters
    • Total Departure Length = √(2000² + 2000²) = 2828.43 meters

  2. Importance of Lateral Length in Shale Gas Reservoirs:

    • Shale gas reservoirs have low permeability and require extensive contact with the reservoir to extract the gas efficiently.
    • Maximizing Lateral Length allows the well to intersect a larger portion of the shale formation, increasing the surface area exposed to production.
    • This leads to higher gas production rates and improved overall economic viability.

  3. Potential Geological Challenge:

    • Faults: Shale formations often contain numerous faults that can act as barriers to horizontal drilling.
    • If the well encounters a fault, it may be impossible to continue drilling the planned Lateral Length, forcing a change in well design or trajectory.

Books

  • "Petroleum Engineering: Drilling and Well Completion" by William C. Lyons - Provides comprehensive coverage of drilling and completion techniques, including discussions on lateral drilling and the significance of lateral length.
  • "Horizontal Well Technology: A Practical Guide for Engineers and Operators" by A.K. Daneshy - Focuses specifically on horizontal drilling and the role of lateral length in maximizing production from unconventional reservoirs.
  • "Reservoir Engineering Handbook" by Tarek Ahmed - Offers detailed explanations of reservoir characteristics and how they influence lateral length design and well performance.

Articles

  • "The Impact of Lateral Length on Horizontal Well Performance" by A.K. Daneshy & J.R. Walton - Examines the relationship between lateral length, reservoir characteristics, and well productivity in horizontal wells.
  • "Optimizing Lateral Length in Horizontal Wells: A Case Study" by M.J. Economides & R.G. Hill - Illustrates the application of lateral length optimization in a real-world scenario.
  • "Advancements in Horizontal Drilling Technology: A Review" by D.K. Babu & R.K. Sharma - Discusses advancements in drilling technologies that enable the drilling of longer laterals and their implications for well performance.

Online Resources

  • SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Website: Contains a vast collection of technical papers, presentations, and resources on all aspects of oil and gas production, including lateral drilling and well completion.
  • OnePetro: Offers access to a comprehensive library of technical documents, including articles and research reports on horizontal well drilling and lateral length optimization.
  • Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary: Provides definitions and explanations of key terms related to drilling and well completion, including lateral length, departure length, and horizontal drilling.

Search Tips

  • Use specific keywords: Instead of just searching for "lateral length," try combining it with terms like "horizontal drilling," "well completion," "reservoir," or "production optimization."
  • Include relevant industry terms: Use keywords like "SPE," "OnePetro," "Schlumberger," or "drilling technology" to narrow down your search results.
  • Search for specific case studies: Adding "case study" to your search query will help you find examples of real-world applications of lateral length optimization.
  • Explore online forums and communities: Websites like "Drilling Forum" or "Upstream" host discussions and Q&A sessions related to oil and gas industry practices, where you can find insights from industry professionals.
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