The Process Of Horizonal Drilling
Many methods of drilling exist today for different applications. Horizonal drilling is one of the technological marvels in this industry. This method is classified under directional drilling methods and is used in a number of applications where other methods cannot produce the desired results. In this process, the well is horizontally turned to move horizontally at some depth into the ground.
The turning of the well horizontally is necessary so as to gain access to energy reservoirs that are themselves extending horizontally. A common application of this method is in extracting gas from Marcellus Shale Formation. The well starts vertically up to some depth beneath the surface before it is turned to go horizontally. The resultant well assumes the shape of a letter J, but an exaggerated one.
An examination of horizontal and vertical wells reveals that the former method is capable of reaching a wider area of rock and the natural gas trapped there within. Thus, companies that employ this method are capable of gaining access to more energy resources using a smaller number of horizontal wells as opposed to if vertical wells are used. This makes this method very suitable in a number of situations.
Companies choose to employ horizontal wells over other wells for a number of reasons. First, this method helps to increase the section length through a reservoir. This necessitates for drilling wells that are at an angle to intended reservoirs. The second reason why this method may be preferred is when other methods are not viable. For instance, when an oilfield is occurring beneath a town.
Accessing oilfields beneath a town requires wells to be drilled at some point far from the town where drilling is feasible. The well starts to be drilled horizontally before it begins to go horizontally toward the oil reservoir. This process is also of great importance where land disturbance has to be minimal and the costs of excavation kept low. Therefore, a single spot is chosen where all wells are drilled and then fanned out in order to access the oilfields located in various places.
A central location eliminates the need to have to use different equipment at multiple locations. Equipment can be shared to be used among various wells. Transport costs are also kept low while a lower level of manpower is required for the job. Environmental disturbance is also confined to a single spot. Minimizing environmental disturbance and pollution is one of the major goals in this industry.
This method has a few shortcomings of its own. First, initially, the process of drilling horizontal wells was very slow compared to that of drilling vertical wells. The process was made slower because regular stops had to be made in order to make some lengthy surveys. The rate of penetration was also considerably very low. However, with the invention of better tools and modern downhole motors, the process has improved significantly.
Another shortcoming originates from cost. It is generally more expensive to drill horizontal wells than their vertical counterparts. The process is made more challenging because drilling has to be done at an angle. Lastly, another problem comes from controlling the influx of sand. This has however been dealt with through better planning and invention of better technology.
The turning of the well horizontally is necessary so as to gain access to energy reservoirs that are themselves extending horizontally. A common application of this method is in extracting gas from Marcellus Shale Formation. The well starts vertically up to some depth beneath the surface before it is turned to go horizontally. The resultant well assumes the shape of a letter J, but an exaggerated one.
An examination of horizontal and vertical wells reveals that the former method is capable of reaching a wider area of rock and the natural gas trapped there within. Thus, companies that employ this method are capable of gaining access to more energy resources using a smaller number of horizontal wells as opposed to if vertical wells are used. This makes this method very suitable in a number of situations.
Companies choose to employ horizontal wells over other wells for a number of reasons. First, this method helps to increase the section length through a reservoir. This necessitates for drilling wells that are at an angle to intended reservoirs. The second reason why this method may be preferred is when other methods are not viable. For instance, when an oilfield is occurring beneath a town.
Accessing oilfields beneath a town requires wells to be drilled at some point far from the town where drilling is feasible. The well starts to be drilled horizontally before it begins to go horizontally toward the oil reservoir. This process is also of great importance where land disturbance has to be minimal and the costs of excavation kept low. Therefore, a single spot is chosen where all wells are drilled and then fanned out in order to access the oilfields located in various places.
A central location eliminates the need to have to use different equipment at multiple locations. Equipment can be shared to be used among various wells. Transport costs are also kept low while a lower level of manpower is required for the job. Environmental disturbance is also confined to a single spot. Minimizing environmental disturbance and pollution is one of the major goals in this industry.
This method has a few shortcomings of its own. First, initially, the process of drilling horizontal wells was very slow compared to that of drilling vertical wells. The process was made slower because regular stops had to be made in order to make some lengthy surveys. The rate of penetration was also considerably very low. However, with the invention of better tools and modern downhole motors, the process has improved significantly.
Another shortcoming originates from cost. It is generally more expensive to drill horizontal wells than their vertical counterparts. The process is made more challenging because drilling has to be done at an angle. Lastly, another problem comes from controlling the influx of sand. This has however been dealt with through better planning and invention of better technology.
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