Variations in Multilateral Well Design and Execution in the Prudhoe Bay Unit

Abstract

Abstract Declining volumetric rates characterize hydrocarbon production from the Prudhoe Bay Unit (PBU) of Alaska's North Slope. Economics of declining production forces Prudhoe Bay operators to seek ever-decreasing well bore construction costs. Multilaterals are designed to reduce well costs on a "per barrel" basis, as multiple producing branches access greater reservoir volume or more than one reservoir. This paper describes various multilateral well configurations currently in use in the PBU. Descriptions are substantiated by multiple multilateral well case histories. Included are geologic and targeting considerations, operational details, and details of specialized hardware used in drilling new and sidetrack multilateral wells at PBU. Oil production data are also presented. Open junction multilateral technology is shown to be viable and applicable at PBU. Multilaterals have been executed successfully, and well production performance has been excellent. PBU asset business interests are shown to be well served by application of multilateral technology. P. 807