French drill horizontal drainhole using MWD

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1982 · Drilling Contract.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6324489

The technique of horizontal drilling was furthered recently following a 2-well program conducted by the French Major, Elf Aquitaine in cooperation with the Institut Francais Du Petrole (IFP) in the onshore Lacq field in SW France. More than 1000 ft of horizontal drainhole was drilled in the pay zone. Angle and azimuth were continuously monitored by new measurement while drilling systems. One of the results has been the recognition that there is a close link between horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Elf and IFP engineers report that the 2 techniques may well be complementary. Although deviated wells are now a well-known and used method of drilling for oil, the crucial angle of 70% has been difficult to breach. Special techniques were needed to control well path with an angle of up to 90% and to penetrate the reservoir. Other problems included the maintenance of the horizontal orientation in the reservoir over the greatest possible distance between the cap rock on the top, and the water level on the bottom. Well logging, casing setting, cementing, and perforation in selective areas also present problems. Elf Aquitaine and the IFP proposed solutions to these in laboratory tests before embarking on the Lacq 90 and Lacq 91 test holes in May through June 1980 and February to March 1981.

• OSTI ID: 6324489
• Journal Information: Drilling Contract.; (United States), Vol. 38:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
MWD SYSTEMS
OIL WELLS
WELL DRILLING
CEMENTING
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FRANCE
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
PETROLEUM
WELL CASINGS
WELL COMPLETION
WELL LOGGING
COMMINUTION
DRILLING
ENERGY SOURCES
EUROPE
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUELS
RECOVERY
WELLS
WESTERN EUROPE
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production