Complex reservoirs in the Junín block of the Orinoco oil belt of eastern Venezuela offer challenges in achieving higher production rates and maximizing extraheavy-oil recovery. Most of the wells in this block were drilled in relatively homogeneous sands with good thickness; however, large extraheavy-oil reserves are trapped in a more geologically and operationally complex deltaic reservoir sand. This paper describes the combined application of multilateral and geosteering technologies to one of these wells and details the results of the application.
Introduction
To drill in one of the most complex deposits in the Junín block, technological solutions have been provided to position the horizontal path in the best location within the reservoir through the use of geosteering azimuthal deep-resistivity (ADR) tools to ensure the entire horizontal section is located in a highly productive area, combined with technological solutions to increase the drainage area with a drainage system designed for advanced multilaterals, thereby doubling the drainage area and maximizing well production.
Typical Horizontal Wells in the Junín Block
Description of the Field and Main Challenges. The area is quite complex structurally at younger levels (Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene), but the structural evidence of intense faulting in older units is also important (Fig. 1 above). The area includes the crystalline basement and sedimentary units of the Cambrian and Cretaceous.
