Directional Drilling of Geothermal Wells

Abstract

Directional drilling of geothermal wells has recently become more prevalent and popular. There are some significant advantages, including increased potential for encountering permeability and therefore production; greater flexibility in selecting well pad locations relative to the well target; and it introduces the possibility of drilling a number of wells from a single well pad.

The directional drilling technology available today from the oil industry provide an array of highly sophisticated equipment, instrumentation and techniques. However, the geothermal environment is generally too aggressive to allow the use of much of it. The most successful directional wells are those with the most simple programme.

Directional drilling provides an option to drill a number of wells from one pad providing significant cost savings. The wellhead layout on a multi-well pad is predominantly dictated by the dimensions of the drilling rig.