Application of horizontal wells at Prudhoe Bay

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:7199223

Sherrard, D W; Brice, B W; MacDonald, D G

Horizontal wells have been shown to increase productivity, reduce coning tendencies and increase recovery. Given the potential applications in the Prudhoe Bay Field, a project has been ongoing for the past 18 months to evaluate benefits and drill and test three trial wells. This paper reviews production and reservoir engineering aspects of the trial program. It includes the objectives of the test program, a discussion of the screening and ranking of prospective well locations, the planning and drilling of three wells, the forecasting of production rates and additional recoveries, and the testing and analysis of actual well performance. The three wells have been successfully drilled and completed, with each well costing less than its predecessor. The two wells tested to date have exhibited productivities three to four times that of a conventionally completed comparison well, and further productivity increases are thought to be possible.

• Research Organization: Standard Alaska Production Co.
• OSTI ID: 7199223
• Report Number(s): CONF-861080-
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
ARCTIC OCEAN
BAYS
BEAUFORT SEA
CAPITALIZED COST
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COST
DATA ANALYSIS
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
DRILLING
ENGINEERING
EXPERIMENT PLANNING
FLOW RATE
FORECASTING
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
INCLINATION
MANAGEMENT
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NATURAL GAS FIELDS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL FIELDS
OIL WELLS
PERFORMANCE
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PLANNING
PRODUCTION
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
PRUDHOE BAY
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
RESOURCES
SEAS
SITE SELECTION
SURFACE WATERS
TESTING
WELL COMPLETION
WELLS