Cost-Effective Recompletions of Fruitland Formation Coalbed Methane Gas Wells are Achieved With PDC Technology-Based One-Trip Sidetracking and Lateral-Drilling Technique

摘要

Sidetracking mills designed with PDC insert cutting structuresrnwere able to effectively mill a casing window and drill thernrequired lateral in one trip. This new application of advancedrnPDC technology in Fruitland Formation coalbed methane gasrnwells provides cost and timesaving benefits. This progressiverneffort by the operator to improve efficiency and to optimizernthe recompletion procedures for San Juan Basin wells isrnfurthering exploitation of hydrocarbon reservoirs.rnThis paper discusses how mills designed with PDC insertsrnswiftly cut steel and drill formation to produce a lateral wellrnbore from the mother bore. The technique reduces the numberrnof trips, equipment, costs, and time required to recomplete thernwell. The operator is able to minimize loss of production on arndowned well by getting the well back on-line sooner.rnThree case histories are presented that illustrate how thisrnnew technology and technique were first applied in the SanrnJuan Basin and further developed through their utilization tornrecomplete coalbed methane gas wells.