Multilateral Wells A. D. Hill and D. Zhu, Texas A&M University M. J. Economides, University o Houston !. !

ntroduction " #ur$oses and A$$lications o Multilateral Wells This chapter will be descriptive in nature and will illustrate the many uses of multilateral wells. The chapter will also be used to introduce the commonly used terminology for describing multilateral wells. A. History of multilateral wells B. Purpose of multilateral wells 1. drilling/completion cost reduction 2. saving well slots/locations 3. enhanced reservoir drainage 3. Applications of Multilateral ells 1. naturally fractured reservoirs 2. multiple reservoir targets 3. thin oil or gas !ones ". platform slot limitations #. enhanced recovery techni$ues %. !!. Modern %ormation &haracteri'ation and Ex$loitation (trate)ies *ith &om$lex Well Architecture A. &ni$ue formation characteristics for comple' well architectures B. Multilateral( multi)*ranched( and multi)level wells for reservoir e'ploitation +. ,n-ection/Production strategies for enhanced reservoir recovery .. /eismic attri*utes in defining geologic units !!!. Drillin) Multilaterals Also primarily descriptive in nature. The focus will be on drilling aspects that are unique to mulitilaterals, e.g. milling windows, not on directional drilling. A. /ide)trac0ing 1. hipstoc0/milling windows 2. lateral tra-ectories B. Hori!ontal drilling 1. coiled tu*ing drilling 2. slim)hole drilling +. 1e)entries .. ell control with multiple laterals open !+. Multilateral &om$letions The types of junction completions is first described, with examples of each. Then the completion of the individual laterals will be treated. We will introduce quantitative models of completion performance here. A. 2unction completion techni$ues 3 4AM5 levels

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5ateral completions 3 openhole( slotted liner( cased)cemented( gravel pac0 +ementing hori!ontal laterals Perforating hori!ontal laterals +ompletion performance 1. hori!ontal lateral completion models 2. s0in factors for laterals 3 formation damage( partial penetration( and perforation effects

+. Multilateral Well #er ormance #rediction This chapter is the heart of the book. We will develop three distinct methods for predicting the performance of multilateral wells analytical inflow models, point source methods, and reservoir simulation techniques. !ur goal is for the reader to be able to implement these techniques from the material presented here. The unique problems resulting from the commingling of multiple laterals will be shown, and the common methods of combining reservoir and wellbore effects presented. A. 1eservoir ,nflow Performance 1. Analytical models of hori!ontal well*ore inflow 2. Point/5ine source methods 3. 1eservoir simulation approach ". 7as reservoir performance B. ell*ore flow *ehavior 1. p in laterals 2. Main well*ore pressure profile +. Multilateral well delivera*ility 1. +oupling of reservoir and well*ore flow *ehavior 2. ellhead performance prediction 3. .etermining crossflow conditions +!. Multilateral Well #er ormance Exam$les Another key chapter, here we will present results obtained with the models developed in the previous chapter and also present filed examples. The reader that wants to learn about multilateral well behavior without knowing the details of the models would concentrate on this chapter. A. +rossflow *ehavior B. ,nterference among laterals 1. reservoir interference 2. well*ore effects +. 6ffects of pressure drops in laterals .. 4u*ing or casing limited production +!!. Enhanced Multilateral Well #er ormance This chapter will be about well interventions in multilaterals, focusing on the unique aspects, such as access problems. A. Performance diagnosis 1. well testing 2. production logging B. +oiled tu*ing operations

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ell stimulation 1. fracturing hori!ontal laterals 2. matri' stimulation 3 fluid placement ater control

+!!!. Advanced ,(mart- Wells This chapter will anchor the book with a treatment of the most advanced well completions being planned today. We will describe the permanent measurement systems being deployed in smart wells, and the downhole control features currently being planned and tested. The book will end with a section on optimi"ing well and reservoir performance with realtime downhole process control the well of the near future. A. .ownhole monitoring 1. temperature 2. pressure 3. flow rate ". fi*er optic measurements B. .ownhole control 1. /liding sleeves 2. .ownhole cho0es +. .ownhole separation 3 simultaneous production and in-ection .. 8ptimi!ation of multilateral well performance !.. &om$lex or Multi$le Well Ex$loitation Economics A. B. +. 6conomics of comple' wells versus multiple well e'ploitation 1is0 analysis in comple' well capital investment 8il versus gas well economics