Directional/complex wells

U-Shaped Re-Entry Drilling Revitalizes Depleted Reservoirs Offshore Congo

Against the background of a low-oil-price environment, a redevelopment project was launched to give a second life to a shallow, depleted, mature offshore Congo oil field with viscous oil (22 °API) in a cost‑effective manner.

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Against the background of a low-oil-price environment, a redevelopment project was launched to give a second life to a shallow, depleted, mature offshore Congo oil field with viscous oil (22 °API) in a cost‑effective manner. The solution selected was to drill U-shaped side tracks (inclination at total depth=115°) from the original boreholes on an existing platform at a water depth of 60 m. The objective was to create a second drainage area. The project team used innovative, low-cost techniques to overcome many challenges.

Geological Context and Objectives

Under 27 platforms (four to five wellheads each), an accumulation of heavy, viscous oil is trapped in three reservoir layers.

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