Feasibility of Horizontal Well Technology to Injection Well Systems

Brian M. Rogers

Developments in the field of horizontal well technology continue to expand into new energy and industrial markets. In the petroleum industry this has not only increased the potential to extract recoverable reserves, but has opened the door to new products and services available for the completion and evaluation of hydrocarbon reserves from horizontal wells. The application of horizontal well technology in environmental remediation has proven effective in the extraction of contaminants from ground water. This paper evaluates the feasibility of horizontal well technology as applied to Underground Injection Control (UIC) designated Class I and II injection wells.

The feasibility of horizontal well technology to Class I and II injection wells will focus on three areas of interest:

-- The design, drilling, and completion of a horizontal well within the Construction and Completion Guidelines specified in 40 CFR 146.

-- The suitability and application of methods available for the remediation and testing of a horizontal injection well.

-- The application of formation evaluation techniques applied to horizontal injection wells in accordance with 40 CFR 146 Testing Requirements.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91020©1995 AAPG Annual Convention, Houston, Texas, May 5-8, 1995