Directional/complex wells

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

This paper describes a successful U-turn trajectory test in South Texas that has created new economic project opportunities for the company and increased optionality within challenged lease spaces across the field.

3D view of south Texas U-turn well.
Fig. 1—3D view of south Texas U-turn well.

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.

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