Table of Contents
Horizontal drilling is the process of drilling a well from the surface to a subsurface location just above the target oil or gas reservoir called the “kickoff point”, then deviating the well bore from the vertical plane around a curve to intersect the reservoir at the “entry point” with a near-horizontal inclination,.
What is the difference between directional and horizontal drilling?
A more complex way of directional drilling utilizes a bend near the bit, as well as a downhole steerable mud motor. Horizontal drilling is any wellbore that exceeds 80 degrees, and it can even include more than a 90-degree angle (drilling upward).
What is horizontal drilling and why is it used?
Horizontal drilling is a commonly used technology because drilling at an angle other than vertically can stimulate reservoirs and obtain information that cannot be done by drilling vertically. Horizontal drilling can increase the contact between the reservoir and the wellbore.
What is horizontal directional drilling method?
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a construction technique whereby a tunnel is drilled under a waterway or other designated area, and a pipeline or other utility is pulled through the drilled underground tunnel. The drilling mud also helps coat the walls of the tunnel and remove drill cuttings.
How far can you drill horizontally?
As operators and the drilling and service contractors have devised, tested, and refined their procedures, and as improved equipment has been designed and implemented, routinely achievable horizontal displacements rapidly climbed from 400 to over 8,000 feet.
How much does horizontal drilling cost?
3.1 Construction Cost Service/Product Price-Low Unit Directional Boring – Rural $6.00 Foot Directional Boring – Urban $8.00 Foot Directional Boring – Rock $42.50 Foot Conduit (2” HDPE) $0.75 Foot.
Why is horizontal drilling better?
Drilling horizontally, parallel to the geologic layers in tight formations, allows producers to access more of the oil- and natural gas-bearing rock than drilling vertically. The lateral length of horizontal wells has also increased, allowing for more exposure to oil- and natural gas-producing rock from a single well.
What are the benefits of horizontal drilling?
The advantages of using horizontal drilling include: Durability, as the pipes are very strong. Quicker installation with less disruption to landscaping. Lower installation cost with a smaller crew. Flexibility, as the system can be installed nearly anywhere.
What is horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing?
Horizontal drilling allows more of the wellbore to remain in contact with the producing formation, increasing the amount of oil or natural gas that can be recovered. Hydraulic fracturing is a completion technique, meaning it is performed after the oil or natural gas well has been drilled.
How long does it take to drill horizontal well?
Depending on the depth of drilling required and the type of drilling method used, a standard oil well can commonly advance from drilling to the beginning of production for an oil company within one to three months.
How long do horizontal wells produce?
After completion, a well can produce for as long as 20 to 40 years–providing energy and long-term revenue to governments and mineral owners and sustaining local jobs.
How long has horizontal drilling been around?
The modern history of horizontal drilling dates back around 100 years. The first patent for a horizontal drilling technique was issued in 1891. The main application was for dental work but the applicant noted the same techniques could be used for heavy-duty engineering.
What is horizontal hole?
Horizontal drilling is a process of directing a bit to drill along a horizontal path oriented approximately 85 to 95° from a vertical direction, whereas multilateral drilling is a process of drilling lateral holes from a main trunk such as horizontal, vertical, or directional (Fig. 13).
What are the different types of horizontal directional drilling?
Horizontal directional drilling machines are divided into three categories large-diameter HDD (maxi-HDD), medium-diameter HDD (midi-HDD), and small-diameter HDD (mini-HDD). There is no significant difference in the operation of these systems.
How accurate is horizontal directional drilling?
The accuracy of the tool is 0.01° in pitch and 0.04° in azimuth. At the same time the tool is not affected by magnetic fields from for example railways and cables.
How deep can directional drilling go?
These technologies are capable of reaching 10,000–15,000 ft (3000–4500 m) and may reach 25,000 ft (7500 m) when used under favorable conditions.
How far can directional drilling go?
With directional drilling, one rig alone may be able to work up to five or ten square miles (compared to having a dozen or more vertical rigs).
How much does directional boring cost?
The average cost of a directional boring machine runs $80K-$250K or more! That doesn’t include the trailers, electronics, mud (water) tanks, mixers and vehicles to transport the equipment.
How much does Jack and bore cost?
For jack and bore, the cost is $3 to $4 per inch of pipe diameter per linear foot if line and grade are not critical. The cost is $4 to $6 per inch of pipe diameter per linear foot if line and grade are critical (Iseley and Gokhale, 1997).
How much does a boring cost?
52,000. Total cost for 200 feet borewell with all equipment. Borewell Digging Cost (A) + Total Equipement Cost (B): 23, 000 + 52,000 = Rs.
Is horizontal drilling unconventional?
Horizontal/Unconventional Drilling. Horizontal, or unconventional drilling is based off of directional drilling technology where the lower part of the wellbore parallels the oil zone. With this type of directional drilling, oil and gas wells can be drilled at various angles underground.
Is horizontal drilling better for the environment?
Although both auger and horizontal drilling are considered to be high-emissions activities, comparing the two operations with the SiteWise application confirms that air emissions can be reduced during well construction by using HDD.
