Jet Drilling Tool: Cost-Effective Lateral Drilling Technology for Enhanced Oil Recovery

Abstract

Abstract The paper describes a new coiled tubing conveyed drilling technique, were several new well bores are jet-drilled perpendicular from the mother well and into the reservoir formation. This technology is targeted for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) in both existing and new field developments. The objective is to improve the production profile around the mother well, by penetrating the damaged skin zone, and connecting to possible hydrocarbon pockets left behind in the reservoir. The Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA) is configured to jet-drill several slim laterals, all in one coiled tubing (CT) run. This through tubing operation has the potential to create up to ten, 50 m long, and 1–2 in. diameter laterals at the exact desired depth in the mother well. The BHA consists of two main parts; a casing drilling machine and a high-pressure hose and jet-nozzle. The hose is spooled from the BHA as the lateral is drilled into the formation. The main issues presented in the paper are:The new jet tool functional characteristicsThe theoretical aspects of jet drilling; penetration mechanisms and self-induced nozzle pull forceLaboratory experiments (confirmation of theoretical models)The jet drilling effect on improved well production (production simulations). The technology is an attractive substitute or supplement to acid and proppant fracturing, perforating services and conventional sidetrack drilling. Introduction An important issue when stimulating a producing or injection well is to control the exact placement and direction of the treatment. This may represent a challenge in conventional fracturing and acid stimulation methods. Stimulating low productivity zones exposed together with good productivity zones represent in many situations a problem, since the treatment is improperly diverted into the low productivity zones. The stimulation fluid tends to flow into the good zones, which in many cases were not the target for the stimulation. Furthermore, fractures may open pathways along the casing wall, causing zonal isolation problems in the well. A variety of diversion techniques have been developed in the industry today, in order to achieve improved stimulation control. The success of these techniques varies. This paper describes a technology that provides means for improved control of the EOR treatment. The technology provides real time signals, which acquires exact measurements of tool depth and direction. No pre-treatment activities, like pulling tubing (dependent on size), section milling and/or under-reaming is required prior to the jetting operation. The tool will be a valuable supplement or substitute to conventional services like:PerforatingMatrix AcidizingFracturingConventional sidetrack, slim hole drilling. The Jetting Technology Development Project - Definitions and Functional Descriptions The tool is a coiled tubing conveyed electrical bottom hole assembly, designed and developed to create a number of laterals perpendicular to the mother well in one CT run. The laterals remain barefoot and are created by means of the jet-impact generated when pumping fluid at high pressure through the nozzle-head. The energy created when the fluid exits the nozzle-head is also providing the required forward force to pull the high-pressure hose into the lateral.