About EASTSIB
The RNG Company successfully implements the drilling of horizontal wells using the “fishbone” method. This technology implies the drilling of multibarrelled (or multilateral) wells with a special trajectory, in which multiple branches extend from one horizontal wellbore in different directions. This forms a structure resembling a fish skeleton.
The peculiarity of the technology lies in the fact that the direction of horizontal wells significantly increases the coverage of oil-saturated sections of the formation compared to a traditional horizontal well. Also, the fishbone requires less drilling works than the construction of a horizontal well. This means that this modern technology allows to increase the flow rate of hydrocarbons from the productive section of the well. This is especially important for RNG, which relies on efficient and conscientious subsoil use.
This has a great importance for the oil production in Eastern Siberia due to the peculiarities of the geological structure of the fields. The length of a horizontal well along the borehole here can reach more than 4 km.
Currently, RNG has completed the construction of six multilateral horizontal wells using this method with a construction of three to eight horizontal wells. The total sinking is 33,322 running meters.
“Some areas of the Eastern blocks of the Srednebotuobinskoye oil and gas condensate field have a number of features that make it difficult to efficiently drill horizontal wells. To obtain maximum oil recovery from the formation, it is necessary to drill a sufficiently long horizontal well. This problem was solved by the construction of multilateral wells with side branches, the so-called fishbones. In this case, the insufficient length of the horizontal section is compensated by the sidetracking of the formation. This technology makes it possible to control the flow rate of the fluid due to the installation of open / close couplings opposite each wellbore. The initial production rates of fishbones are higher than those of a conventional well, and the reservoir productivity grows over time.
We have drilled six wells using this technology, and with each new fishbone we are gaining indispensable experience in the complex geological conditions presented,” notes Yuri Yakimov, Deputy CEO and Head of the RNG Well Drilling Department.
Thus, the use of the fishbone technology leads to many positive effects. First, it allows the company to achieve production intensification.
Secondly, the introduction of the technology has shown economic efficiency due to a decrease in the volume of drilling operations and a reduction in the well stock. The cost of the wells construction and maintenance services for ECPs (electric centrifugal pumps) is also reduced.
RNG JSC assessed not only the economic effect of reducing the number of wells while at the time of increasing reservoir productivity. Rational use of subsoil is of fundamental importance for a conscientious company striving to contribute to the socio-economic development of the region of its operation.
These are the reasons why RNG relies on modern solutions.
Leading service companies help RNG to implement projects for drilling such wells. Among them: Baker Hughes, Schlumberger, Halliburton, National Oilwell Varco and Scientific Drilling. They have significant experience in directional drilling with logging and geosteering, as well as gyroscopic measurements and engineering bit support with the provision of their own equipment. Russian specialists from international oil service companies involved in projects of the RNG group make a significant contribution to the development of the oil and gas sector in Eastern Siberia and the industry as a whole.
