Drilling of three horizontal hole pattern Fort McMurray, Alberta

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Annual CIM Petrol. Soc. Tech. Mtg.; ()

OSTI ID:5159914

Pugh, G E

Between Oct. 1980 and Feb. 1981, Texaco Canada Resources Ltd. drilled 3 horizontal holes in soft, shallow, unconsolidated Athabasca tar sands at their Fort McMurray Pilot Plant, Alberta, Can. Objectives of the project were to produce bitumen at very shallow depths with minimum drilling cost, lease cost, and environmental impact. The accomplishment is believed unique in that all 3 wells were drilled from the same drilling pad, each well being spudded in at a vertical angle of 45, and a horizontal attitude was achieved at a true vertical depth from surface of ca 125 m (410 ft). Over 350 m (1,000 ft) of horizontal hole was drilled to complete each well. A new, innovative, hydraulically operated drilling rig was built for this project with a 110,000 kg. (240,000 lb) hoist and 22,700 kg (50,000 lb) push-down capacity. New techniques were developed to drill, enlarge, and underream the horizontal hole up to 368.3 mm (14-1/2 in.) diameter. Mud motors were used to power the bit and the force on the bit was accomplished by pushing down on the drill pipe.

• OSTI ID: 5159914
• Report Number(s): CONF-8206151-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Annual CIM Petrol. Soc. Tech. Mtg.; () Journal Volume: 82-33-68
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040401* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- In Situ Methods
True & Modified
ALBERTA
ATHABASCA DEPOSIT
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CANADA
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
DRILLING
DRILLING RIGS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MATERIALS
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SAND DEPOSITS
OIL SANDS
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
WELL DRILLING