First bilateral horizontal wells constructed at Gazprom Neft’s Novoportovskoye field
The successful application of new technology in constructing multilateral wells has allowed Gazpromneft-Yamal (a Gazprom Neft subsidiary, currently developing the Novoportovskoye field) to increase reservoir recovery at Novoportovskoye, as well as significantly increasing efficiency in field development.
The drilling technology used involves each horizontal shaft of the well being strengthened by a metal pipe (a so-called “tail pipe”), in order to prevent rock sloughing and the loss of the drilled shaft during the course of its operation. The design concept of the well was developed by experts from the Gazprom Neft Joint Scientific and Research Centre, who also provided round-the-clock drilling support, together with specialists from Gazpromneft-Yamal.
The length of each shaft of the first bilateral well to be built at the Novoportovskoye field runs to 1,000 metres, with the initial flow rate set at more than 400 tonnes of oil per day. The Novoportovskoye field currently has five similar wells in operation, with each new well, moreover, being drilled significantly faster than the preceding one — significantly reducing costs. Gazprom Neft specialists have, as a result, been able to achieve record company speeds in drilling multilateral wells — at 1,000 metres in 5.87 days — comparable to the best results achieved in drilling monobore horizontal wells.
Vadim Yakovlev, First Deputy CEO, Gazprom Neft, commented: “The implementation of new drilling technologies forms part of Gazprom Neft’s ‘Technology Strategy’, systemising the company’s search for innovative solutions in creating start-points for the company’s long-term development. Initiatives in high-technology drilling and improvements in oil recovery implemented throughout our fields are already allowing Gazprom Neft to bring reserves previously not considered viable into profitable development.”
Tags: drilling, innovation, production, technology, production technology