Proven Best Practices: September 2013

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Fishbone SAGD Wells	Kittens	Strong & Silent	Discover Your Superpower

AppIntel indicates a few operators are trying multi-lateral drilling technology in SAGD operations.

Multi-lateral drilling technology is being adapted to thermal recovery. A few operators have proposed multi-lateral injector/producer pairs. They hope steam will be distributed better spatially in this trial.

Some operators call these multi-lateral wells “fishbone wells” because of their slender, curvy, shape.

The regulator approves of the trial hoping that this will increase recovery in some cases where there isn’t room for additional infill wells.

Multi-lateral technology has not yet become a staple in SAGD but many Appintel subscribers are interested in the success of the fishbone trials. AppIntel allows subscribers to watch applications like this through the approval process – getting an email whenever a new SIR or response is uploaded.

Will multi-lateral drilling technology ever be used in conjunction with multi-fracture technology? Such multi-multi wells would be difficult to drill and stimulate but may significantly improve sweep in water and miscible flooding.

~Granger J. Low

Industry activity can be measured by the volume of AER applications submitted. As can be seen by the trend below, operators are still submitting applications for experimental schemes although applications for major new commercial schemes are fewer.

Mark is a completions engineer.

Mark’s bottom-line is always connected with his drilling schedule, but accurately predicting when applications will be approved, when rigs can be booked, and when production can begin always seemed like a tricky gamble. Mark often felt frustrated and helpless in the face of constantly shifting timelines.

Then Mark discovered AppIntel, which gave him monthly ERCB submission and approval details and statistics, allowing him to more efficiently gauge his projects’ timelines.

With newfound clairvoyance, Mark is able to more accurately map out project timelines and keep his wells on schedule.

Ensure You can Drill on Schedule!