International Trends for Future Horizontal Drilling

JOSHI, SADA D., and SUSAN L. LACY, Joshi Technologies International, Inc., Tulsa, OK

Since 1985, there has been tremendous growth in horizontal well drilling around the world. This paper summarizes the present trends and results. In addition, it describes the generalized reservoir and geological conditions where horizontal wells have been both economically successful and unsuccessful. Based upon these criteria, the paper estimates possible future activity.

In the United States, horizontal wells have been economically successful in fractured reservoirs such as Bakken Shale and Austin Chalk. Internationally, on the other hand, a majority of the applications are for minimizing gas and water coning problems. In general, horizontal wells have been economically successful in minimizing water coning in sandstone and fractured carbonate reservoirs when oil column thicknesses are greater than 20 ft. Many of these applications are in sandstone formations; a few are in fractured carbonate formations. Horizontal wells have been more successful in reducing water coning than gas coning. Internationally, the use of horizontal wells to minimize water and gas coning will continue to grow.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91004 © 1991 AAPG Annual Convention Dallas, Texas, April 7-10, 1991 (2009)