Directional/complex wells

Multilateral Technology Innovations Help Maximize Field Development

This paper highlights the continuous improvement of multilateral technology used in the Middle East by demonstrating how the application of a multilateral well strategy is a proven and reliable method to reduce time-intensive operations.

Fig. 1—Multilateral technology deployment with respect to TAML levels.
Fig. 1—Multilateral technology deployment with respect to TAML levels.
Source: SPE 219367.

This paper discusses recent multilateral technology developed for operators in the Middle East. It highlights the continuous improvement of multilateral technology by demonstrating how application of multilateral well strategy is a proven and reliable method to reduce time‑intensive operations by eliminating additional vertical wellbore sections and using existing surface infrastructure. Wells originally planned as a single wellbore or a simple dual lateral are now drilled and completed using intelligent flow control and, in some cases, installations with pressure‑controlled junctions.

Introduction

Multilateral installations in the Middle East have seen sustained success for more than 20 years. While early multilateral wells were rudimentary in their construction and capabilities, multilateral systems continue to evolve to meet new challenges faced by operators.

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