Chapter 11 HORIZONTAL DRILLING: WHY IT'S MUCH BETTER TO 'LAY DOWN' THAN TO STAND UP' AND WHAT IS AN '18° AZIMUTH' ANYWAY?

摘要

In the past decade, horizontal drilling has become an increasingly common method of recovering hydrocarbons from geologic formations. Horizontal drilling is one of the most useful and valuable drilling technologies used by oil and gas operators in the development of oil and gas from tight sand and shale plays. As horizontal drilling activities increase, so too do t he scope and complexity of the legal issues associated with the horizontal drilling. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of horizontal drilling. It explains the purpose and mechanics of horizontal drilling, describes applicable regulations relating to or affecting horizontal drilling, reviews emerging legal issues associated with horizontal drilling, and ana-Ivzes the unique challenges that arise as new legal issues relating to horizontal drilling are integrated into long-standing oil and gas law concepts.2