Middle East reservoir characterization improved by data from horizontal wells

Conference · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:113381

Nurmi, R; Wiltse, E; Sapru, A

Middle East reservoir development using horizontal wells is no longer restricted to problematic reservoirs. Although the basic geometry of most major fields is generally well known, the detailed variations of individual reservoir zones often are not sufficiently well defined to predict what will be encountered by a horizontal well. Structural variations often result in long intervals of the horizontal wells not being within target reservoir zones. However, geosteering techniques and a closer integration of all data gathered during drilling provide more optimum placement of horizontal and extended reach wells. Quality seismic is still invaluable for planning horizontal wells, however, good geologic analyses, measurements while drilling and intermediate logging are often necessary to make adjustments to the well trajectory during drilling. The strengths and limitations of standard well logs, production tools, and testing equipment made for vertical wells need to be understood when used in the horizontal section so as not to misinterpret the potential of a reservoir zone. Even how geoscientists think about the reservoir is changing because of the ``lateral thinking`` being experienced during studies of standard horizontal well applications. Thus, new applications continue to increase for this relatively new petroleum industry technique.

• OSTI ID: 113381
• Report Number(s): CONF-950310--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
GEOLOGIC MODELS
MIDDLE EAST
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
RESERVOIR ROCK