The optimization of slant-well drilling in the Lindbergh field

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Drilling Engineering; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/17529-PA· OSTI ID:7014613

Vrielink, H; Hippman, A ^[1]

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1. Amoco Canada Petroleum Ltd. (CA)

The authors describe the development of slant-well drilling in the Lindbergh heavy-oil field in east-central Alberta. The oil-bearing sands occur in the lower Mannville formations of the Cretaceous period. To date, four pads, each consisting of 15 or 16 wells, have been completed. The experience gained in completing these projects has allowed them to make optimum use of slant-well technology in multiwell pad applications. In the initial stages of slant-well development, drilling times of 5.5 days/well and costs of $315/m ($81$ft) were experienced. Through an optimization process involving pad design, design equipment, casing design, bits and hydraulics, and directional/survey assemblies, significant savings in drilling time and cost were realized. To date, 71 slant wells have been drilled. In the latest project, drilling time averaged approximately 2 days/well and costs were reduced to $177/m ($45/ft). These savings were achieved with an improvement in directional control and overall hole quality. This paper describes the optimization process and the techniques used to realize these savings.

• OSTI ID: 7014613
• Journal Information: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Drilling Engineering; (USA), Journal Name: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Drilling Engineering; (USA) Vol. 4:4; ISSN 0885-9744; ISSN SDENE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
DRILLING
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
OIL FIELDS
OIL WELLS
OPTIMIZATION
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RECOVERY
RESOURCES
STEAM INJECTION
STIMULATION
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS