Horizontal wells enhance development of thin offshore gas reservoirs

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Petroleum Engineer International

OSTI ID:39896

Gidman, B ^[1]; Hammons, L R.B.; Paulk, M D ^[2]

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1. Chevron USA, Lafayette, LA (United States)
2. Baker Hughes INTEQ, Lafayette, LA (United States)

Horizontal wells in clastic rocks can reduce water coning problems and increase production rates as much as six-fold. They are now practical to drill for developing Gulf of Mexico gas reservoirs that may be less than 10 ft thick. In 1991, Chevron USA began exploring the feasibility of developing thin gas reservoirs in western Gulf of Mexico (GOM) fields. A critical element that needed to be addressed was the minimum target thickness that is geologically and operationally practical to drill with current horizontal well technology. Chevron`s first GOM horizontal well spudded in February 1992. The target was 31 ft of net effective gas on water in a massive Pleistocene sand at 1,700 ft TVD. Chevron spudded a second horizontal well in the same field during June 1993. This well was geosteered into a 19-ft gas sand with no immediate water contact at 1,650 ft TVD. The entire 1,000-ft horizontal section was interpreted as gas from the MWD tool response. A spinner survey was not run in this hole. At 19 MMcfd of gas, this well also proved to be a major economic success because of its low cost. After the second completion, Chevron`s next proposed well targeted a gas reservoir with a maximum thickness of only 7 ft.

• OSTI ID: 39896
• Journal Information: Petroleum Engineer International, Journal Name: Petroleum Engineer International Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 67; ISSN 0164-8322; ISSN PEEID4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
DESIGN
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
GULF OF MEXICO
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OFFSHORE SITES
PERFORMANCE