Modeling, Planning Allow Successful Implementation of South Texas U-Turn Lateral

Legacy fields require innovative solutions for developing capitally efficient projects within highly developed acreage blocks. As another tool to improve well economics, a U-turn lateral strategy was implemented in the Eagle Ford Shale. This wellbore trajectory resulted in capturing a 9,200‑ft equivalent lateral length well in a 5,000-ft-wide lease space. This successful U-turn trajectory test has created new economic project opportunities for the company and has increased optionality within challenged lease spaces across the field.

Well Overview

In a single U-turn well, the horizontal wellbore turns 180° to create two parallel laterals in a map-view U shape.