FRENCH, MIKE R., Texaco E&P, Bellaire, TX

ABSTRACT: Drilling Extended Reach Horizontal Wells in the Gulf of Mexico

As of October 1992, Texaco has drilled six horizontal wells in the Gulf of Mexico. These have been to four gas reservoirs and two oil reservoirs. The primary application of the gas wells has been to improve the ultimate recovery by minimizing/eliminating water coning. The primary application of the oil wells has been to improve the ultimate recovery

by minimizing gas and water coning and improving the sweep efficiency. The success of these projects can be attributed to the effective use of multi-disciplined teams during the planning and implementation of the drilling programs. These teams have been comprised of geophysicists, geologists, reservoir, production, and drilling engineers. This paper is presented from the perspective of the drilling engineer. While drilling these wells, operational decisions must be made on the rig based upon real time data such as LWD information and hole conditions. The importance of on-site technical personnel is stressed. This includes a drilling engineer, geologist, and often a geophysicist. Careful pre-well planning and formulation of contingency plans in advance simplify the operational decision that must be made. Key to the pre-well planning is the use of all available subsurface data.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90987©1993 AAPG Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 25-28, 1993.