Radial Drilling Technique for Improving Well Productivity in Petrobel-Egypt

Abstract

Abstract With growing global energy demand and depleting reserves, oil well stimulation has become more important. In all of these reservoirs, formation damage is a headache problem which needs to be treated. One of the proposed techniques is to bypass the damaged zone. Radial drilling can provide a solution with lowest costs than the others. Radial drilling technique utilizes hydraulic energy to create several lateral holes in different directions and levels with several lengths. These lateral holes are made by milling the casing with small bit then by extending these holes laterally using high pressure hydraulic jetting. The current paper presents a very good analysis and an evaluation of the radial drilling techniques that have been made in one of the Egyptian oil field, and presents screening criteria about the optimum parameters for performing these techniques. A number of pilot tests was performed and analyzed in Egypt in Belayim oil field. Radial drilling performed only on three wells in Egypt; the results obtained from these wells are monitored and analyzed. The reservoir depth varies from 2172 meter to 2481 meter. The first well was laterally drilled with 50 m long by seven laterals and the angle between each two is 90 degrees. The second well was laterally drilled with 50 and 90 m long by 6 laterals in two different levels. The third well was radially drilled by 4 laterals of 50 m long. From the production point of view, the first well was improved by more than 12.5% increase in production, and the second shows an improvement by about 47% increase. The third well shows an improvement by about 12.5 % but for short period. Several experiences have been learned and registered from drilling these 17 laterals which will help generally for the future radial drilling operational around the world.