Extended Reach Wells for Enhanced Heat Production

Abstract

Complex reservoir settings encountered in various European, tectonised and multilayered, either in continental rift or sedimentary basin environments have drawn attention towards novel well architectures aimed at sustaining high productive capacities and long thermal life.
The problematic becomes more sensitive in lower than expected permeability environments which require that relevant well design strategies be substituted to the long prevailing, presumably market dictated, conventional drilling/completion practice and innovative well architectures promoted instead.
The present paper illustrates the foregoing through selected case studies exemplifying the gains achieved by subhorizontal, radial drain and multiple completion well concepts.
Risk management and mitigation issues, alongside cost impacts, are also discussed.