Enhanced wellbore design and methods

A wellbore completion comprises a borehole extending into a subterranean formation, a first portion of the borehole disposed within at least one production zone of the subterranean formation, and one or more completion zones within the first portion of the wellbore. The first portion maintains a high dog-leg severity throughout the first portion, and the one or more completions are configured to allow for fluid communication between an interior of the borehole and the subterranean formation.

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Wellbores can be drilled into subterranean formations to provide access to various reservoirs such as hydrocarbon resources (e.g., gas, oil, etc.), water, and other underground resources. In various types of drilling, wellbores can be created through directional drilling techniques that extend down to a reservoir and then have extended length lateral wells that attempt to pass through the production zone of the reservoir. However, such completions can be expensive while providing limited access to reserves within a reservoir.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a method for forming a wellbore comprises drilling a wellbore into at least one production zone in a subterranean formation, maintaining a high dog-leg severity within a first portion of the wellbore, and completing the wellbore within the first portion. The first portion is in the at least one production zone.

In an embodiment, a wellbore completion comprises a borehole extending into a subterranean formation, a first portion of the borehole disposed within at least one production zone of the subterranean formation, and one or more completion zones within the first portion of the wellbore. The first portion maintains a high dog-leg severity throughout the first portion, and the one or more completions are configured to allow for fluid communication between an interior of the borehole and the subterranean formation.

In an embodiment, a method for forming a wellbore comprises drilling a wellbore into a subterranean formation having a multi-layered reservoir, maintaining a high dog-leg severity within a first portion of the wellbore, and completing the first portion of the wellbore within at least one producing layer of the plurality of producing layers. The multi-layered reservoir comprises a plurality of producing layers and at least one non-producing layer disposed between two or more producing layers or the plurality of producing layers. The first portion passes through the plurality of producing layers.

In an embodiment, a wellbore completion comprises a borehole extending into a subterranean formation comprising a multi-layered formation, a first portion of the borehole disposed through the multi-layered formation, and one or more completions within the first portion of the wellbore. The multi-layered reservoir comprises a plurality of producing layers and at least one non-producing layer disposed between two or more producing layers or the plurality of producing layers. The first portion maintains a high dog-leg severity throughout the first portion, and the first portion passes through the plurality of producing layers. The one or more completions are configured to allow for fluid communication between an interior of the borehole and the subterranean formation in at least one producing layer of the plurality of producing layers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings and description that follow, like parts are typically marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

Unless otherwise specified, any use of any form of the terms “connect,” “engage,” “couple,” “attach,” or any other term describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the elements and may also include indirect interaction between the elements described. In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . ”. Reference to up or down will be made for purposes of description with “up,” “upper,” “upward,” or “above” meaning toward the surface of the wellbore and with “down,” “lower,” “downward,” or “below” meaning toward the terminal end of the well, regardless of the wellbore orientation. The various characteristics mentioned above, as well as other features and characteristics described in more detail below, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art with the aid of this disclosure upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiments, and by referring to the accompanying drawings.

Current methods of drilling, completing, and draining a reservoir can use extended length lateral wells with accompanying completions. These current production techniques involving extended length lateral wells can result in excessive cost.

In the methods and systems described herein, shorter lateral portions that can generate more porosity and effective fracturing can be used. The ability to use shorter wellbore sections can result in a significant reduction in cost while maintaining high production and effective draining of the reservoir.

Specifically, the present description is directed to the use of enhanced wellbore shapes and drilling processes to create the enhanced porosity and fracturing potential. This method allows for a shorter lateral length having an enhanced shape, and with this well shape and drilling process creates enhanced porosity, fracturing and completions. The wellbores can use an Enhanced-J and/or Enhanced-U shape to more effectively stimulate and drain the overall oil and gas reservoir, as described in more detail herein.

Within the described wellbore shape, a substantially continual, purposeful high Dog Leg Severity (DLS) can be used to generate near wellbore porosity and pathways for effective additional fracturing, leading to higher production with a shorter overall well length and fewer perforations and completion stages. As used herein, the DLS is defined as a measure of the amount of change in the inclination and/or direction of a borehole and is expressed in degrees per 100 feet of well bore length. The ability to use shorter production interval lengths saves costs, allows the wells to be drilled with smaller rigs, completed with fewer completion stages, and uses less sand/proppant, water, chemicals, and time.

In various embodiments as described herein, methods according to the present disclosure can include drilling a wellbore such that the wellbore enters the reservoir with a high DLS and maintains that high DLS through an entire ‘Enhanced J’ or ‘Enhanced U’ well shape, or any additional shape utilizing these techniques. The specifics of the wellbore and drilling will vary depending on the specific attributes of the reservoir and formation or formations being accessed with the wellbore. Once drilled, the wellbore can be completed within one or more production zones. For example, the wellbore can be perforated and hydraulically fractured within the high DLS sections. The near wellbore fractures created by the drilling with the high DLS may enhance the completion processes. Further, a wellbore having a shortened length and shape may allow for fewer completion stages, leading to cost savings in all aspects of the well and processes.

Drilling through an oil or gas reservoir with a high DLS creates enhanced porosity and fracturing along the wellbore. This enhanced fracturing not only improves localized production, but further acts as a zone conducive to additional effective completion fracturing with associated higher production. The above attributes result in a well that is shorter than an extended lateral, as well as requiring fewer completion stages, both of which mean lower costs. In addition, these techniques allow for more effective and complete reservoir drainage.

Reservoir attributes and boundaries factor into the drilling of the wellbore having the DLS, while not creating excessively deviated wellbores. The reservoir will further help to define both the overall height and length of an effective well. The drilling rig used to form the wellbore should be capable of maintaining high DLS through the entire reservoir, while also holding sufficient WOB (weight on bit) in order to complete a full ‘Enhanced J’ or ‘Enhanced U’ well shape. Utilizing bits capable of both high DLS and enhanced near-wellbore fracturing could offer improved results. While most wells target one specific reservoir, the unique shape of the ‘Enhanced U’ well could, within constraints, effectively target multiple vertical reservoirs across a large aerial extent with a single well.

The present systems and methods can also provide a more effective coverage of an entire reservoir. Many extended length lateral wells may impact the reservoir in a limited sense along their path, even when great lateral lengths are present. However, this arrangement may also leave large portions of the reservoir virtually untouched. The use of the shorter wellbore described herein may impact the full reservoir in multiple orientations. Acreage and existing well spacing constraints often keep extended length laterals from even being possible as they simply do not fit within the confines of the reservoir boundaries. In contrast, wells using these new techniques most often will fit, and can be highly effective in all drilling locations.

While the primary use of these drilling and completion techniques may be for hydrocarbon (e.g., oil and gas) production, the techniques could also be used in targeting any product where similar drilling and completions are utilized, for example water wells or water disposal wells.

Referring toFIG. 1, an example is shown of a wellbore operating environment having a wellbore formed as described herein. As depicted, the operating environment comprises a workover and/or drilling rig106that is positioned on the earth's surface104and extends over and around a wellbore114that penetrates a subterranean formation102for the purpose of recovering hydrocarbons. In some contexts, the wellbore114passing through the subterranean formation102can also be referred to as a borehole. The wellbore114may be drilled into the subterranean formation102using the drilling and completion techniques as described herein. The wellbore114extends substantially vertically away from the earth's surface104over a vertical wellbore portion116and deviates from vertical relative to the earth's surface104over a deviated wellbore portion136, as described in more detail herein. The deviation is shown exaggerated inFIG. 1for purposes of illustration. In some embodiments, the wellbore114may have one or more portions that are substantially horizontal. The wellbore may be a new wellbore, an existing wellbore, a sidetracked wellbore, a multi-lateral wellbore, and other types of wellbores. Further, the wellbore may be used for both producing wells and injection wells.

A wellbore tubular string120may be lowered into the subterranean formation102for a variety of drilling, completion, workover, treatment, and/or production processes throughout the life of the wellbore. The embodiment shown inFIG. 1illustrates the wellbore tubular string120in the form of a completion assembly string disposed in the wellbore114. It should be understood that the wellbore tubular120is equally applicable to any type of wellbore tubulars being inserted into a wellbore including as non-limiting examples drill pipe, casing, liners, jointed tubing, and/or coiled tubing. Further, the wellbore tubular string120may operate in any of the wellbore orientations (e.g., vertical, deviated, horizontal, and/or curved) and/or types described herein. In an embodiment, the wellbore may comprise wellbore casing, which may be cemented into place in the wellbore114.

In an embodiment, the wellbore tubular string120may comprise a completion assembly string comprising one or more wellbore tubular types and one or more downhole tools (e.g., zonal isolation devices, screens, valves, etc.). The one or more downhole tools may take various forms.

The workover and/or drilling rig106may comprise a derrick108with a rig floor110through which the wellbore tubular string120extends downward from the drilling rig106into the wellbore114. The workover and/or drilling rig106may comprise a motor driven winch and other associated equipment for conveying the wellbore tubular string120into the wellbore114to position the wellbore tubular string120at a selected depth.

While the operating environment depicted inFIG. 1refers to a stationary workover and/or drilling rig106for conveying the wellbore tubular string120within a land-based wellbore114, in alternative embodiments, mobile workover rigs, wellbore servicing units (such as coiled tubing units), and the like may be used to convey the wellbore tubular string120within the wellbore114. It should be understood that a wellbore tubular string120may alternatively be used in other operational environments, such as within an offshore wellbore operational environment.

The wellbore114can be completed within a desired reservoir210using a variety of techniques. As noted with respect toFIG. 1, the wellbore114can have a casing or other completion assembly (e.g., a gravel pack, liner, etc.) placed into the wellbore. In some embodiments, the wellbore can be completed using casing that is cemented in place or otherwise using a liner of various types. When the wellbore114is completed using casing as the wellbore tubular120, a generally tubular casing string120can be positioned within wellbore114and secured using a cement sheath122that is placed in the annulus between the casing string120and the wellbore wall in accordance with any conventional technique.

Once the casing string120is set in the wellbore114, the casing string120can be perforated and/or the formation can be hydraulically fractured. Perforating generally involves igniting a plurality of perforating charges coupled by a detonation cord. When detonated, the perforating charges can blast through a perforating charge carrier (e.g., through a scallop or thinned area in the carrier) and create a perforation130that extends or penetrates through the casing string120and cement122into the reservoir210. Fluids within the reservoir210can then communicate through the perforations into the interior of the casing string120.

The wellbore114can be hydraulically fractured as part of or after perforating the casing string120. Fracturing generally begins by placing a completion assembly within the wellbore. The completion assembly can comprise one or more isolation plugs or packers, tubing strings and isolation valves or sleeves. The completion assembly can be used to isolate a portion of the wellbore that is to be hydraulically fractured while providing fluid communication with the surface for purposes of providing pressure and fluid useful in fracturing the formation. Any suitable tools can be used to configure the well and the completion assembly for the hydraulic fracturing including tubing conveyed tools, wireline deployed tools, coiled tubing deployed tools, and/or hydraulically conveyed tools.

Once positioned in the wellbore, the completion assembly can be adjacent to and isolate the zone to be hydraulically fractured. Hydraulic fracturing fluid can be pumped down a tubing string forming part of the completion assembly into the annulus between tubing string and the casing string120within the zone isolated by the completion assembly. The fracturing fluid may be any fluid deemed to have the proppant carrying properties as dictated by the reservoir210of interest and completion method employed. Suitable carrier fluids include gels, for example hydroxyethylcellulose or crosslinked polymers. Water can be sufficient for certain applications, such as a high rate water pack in which the primary emphasis is packing perforations and the annulus without fracturing the formation. Pressure on the fracturing fluid can be increased to a pressure that is significantly greater than the formation pressure such that the formation is subjected to a pressure condition that is in excess of the formation fracture gradient, thereby fracturing the formation. The high pressure fluid present in the annulus can be injected into the formation or zone through the perforations130at a high rate and pressure. The fluid used in the hydraulic fracturing operation can carry proppant, which can deposit in the fractures created in the formation and serve as a pathway through which formation fluids can travel into the perforations130and the wellbore114.

Once perforated, the completion assembly can be moved to a new location to hydraulically fracture the next zone or portion of the wellbore. In this manner, a series of hydraulic fracturing operations can be carried out to hydraulically fracture a desired portion of the wellbore. Once the hydraulic fracturing operations are complete, the fracturing assembly can be removed from the wellbore, and a production assembly can be placed in the wellbore114. The production assembly can comprise one or more tubular strings, plugs, packers, screens, or the like that can serve to collect and channel any fluids passing into the wellbore through the perforations to the surface.

While described above as being completed with casing, a liner, gravel pack, or other completion technique, the wellbore can also include one or more open hole sections. As used herein, open hole completions can include true open-hole completions, slotted-or perforated-liner completions, liner completions with external casing packers, and the like. The wellbore can then be hydraulically fractured using various techniques such as fracturing using a jetting tool to fracture an open hole section. Suitable methods are available (e.g., such as the use of the SurgiFrac process available from Halliburton Energy Services of Houston, Tex.). These methods allow the wellbore to be fractured as described herein regardless of the type of wellbore completion process. Thus, the techniques and wellbore configurations described herein can be used in a variety of wellbore completions and arrangements.

FIG. 2illustrates a schematic view of a wellbore having a portion of the wellbore having a high DLS. As shown inFIG. 2, the “heel” portion202of the wellbore can be defined as any portion of the wellbore that is within the reservoir(s)210, but is not a part of the horizontal or near-horizontal wellbore path. In some embodiments, multiple heel portions can exist and may come both before and/or after the landing zone of a well. The “landing” portion204or “landing zone” is defined as the zone where a well bore reaches a horizontal or near-horizontal path.

As shown inFIG. 2, the wellbore may comprise a heel portion202having a high DLS along with a landing portion204. This design can be referred to as an enhanced J wellbore in some contexts as the wellbore generally resembles a J. As shown inFIG. 2, the wellbore can have a high DLS throughout the heel portion202, and in some embodiments, throughout the landing portion204along with any downhole heel portions. While not intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the use of a high DLS for the wellbore portion within the reservoir210can cause the bit used to drill the wellbore to dig or bite into the wellbore sides, thereby generating localized fracturing and porosity. The resulting zone around the wellbore114may then be more conducive to the origination of additional effective fracturing during a completion process. As a result, the wellbore having the high DLS throughout the heel portion202and/or the landing portion204can be completed within the zone having the high DLS to provide an improved wellbore. Such a wellbore may provide a fracturing pattern coverage that extends laterally out within the reservoir as well as potentially to the upper and lower layers of a given reservoir. This may help to access the hydrocarbons or other fluids within the targeted reservoir or reservoir layer.

The specific DLS used for a wellbore will vary based on certain properties of the wellbore and the formation. For example, the range of angles of the DLS selected for the wellbore114may be determined based on an overall thickness of the targeted reservoir, the overall length of the wellbore being drilled, the reservoir rock qualities, the specific reservoir or reservoirs being targeted, and the like. In some embodiments, the wellbore114can have a DLS of at least about 8 degrees, at least about 10 degrees, at least about 12 degrees, at least about 14 degrees, or at least about 16 degrees. In some embodiments, the wellbore114can have a DLS at the technical high DLS drilling capabilities, where the increased DLS angle may provide better localized fracturing and porosity as well as resulting in an enhanced wellbore. In some embodiments, the wellbore114can have a DLS of about 18 degrees or less, about 20 degrees or less, or about 22 degrees or less. The DLS of the wellbore114can be in a range between any of the lower values and any of the upper values described herein. In some embodiments, the DLS angle can vary over the length of the wellbore114within the reservoir210while remaining within the ranges described herein.

The use of the DLS with the wellbore114may result in a relatively short wellbore within the reservoir210. In some embodiments, the length of the wellbore114starting from an entrance into the first reservoir boundary may be less than about 4,000 ft., less than about 3,500 ft., less than about 3,000 ft., less than about 2,500 ft., or less than about 2,000 ft. This may be less than a traditional horizontal or inclined lateral wellbore passing outwards through a reservoir layer that can extend a mile or more. The resulting wellbore can have a horizontal or lateral spacing212within the reservoir210extending from a point at which the wellbore114enters the reservoir to a termination point220and/or a point at which the wellbore exits the reservoir210of less than about 3,000 ft., less than about 2,500 ft., less than about 2,000 ft., or less than about 1,500 ft. While the horizontal or lateral spacing212may be relatively short, the resulting wellbore114can have enhanced properties that provide access to an increased area and reserves around the wellbore114.

The wellbore can be drilled using any appropriate drilling technique suitable for creating the DLS through the heel portion202, and optionally, into the landing portion204. Various considerations such as the ability to maintain the DLS throughout the heel portion202and the landing portion204, the ability to maintain weight on the bit (WOB), and the ability to complete the wellbore (e.g., placing casing through the high DLS portions, etc.) may be factored into the drilling program for the wellbore. Overall, the wellbore as described herein may be relatively short compared to similar completions using long lateral wellbore portions. As a result, the various drilling considerations such as maintaining adequate WOB may be based on the overall length of the enhanced wellbore. Once drilled, the wellbore can be completed within the portions of the wellbore having the high DLS such as the heel portion202, and optionally, the landing portion204using various techniques, as described in more detail herein.

FIG. 3illustrates another schematic view of a wellbore having a portion of the wellbore having a high DLS. The wellbore114ofFIG. 3is similar to the wellbore114ofFIG. 2, and similar elements are shown with the same reference numbers. As shown inFIG. 3, the wellbore114has a heel portion202followed by a downhole landing portion204. A second heel portion302is further disposed downhole from the landing portion204. This configuration can be referred to as an enhanced U design in some contexts.

In an embodiment, the first heel portion202, the landing portion204, and the second heel portion302can have a high DLS, which can be substantially continuous between all three portions202,204,302. The angle of the DLS within the heel portion202, the landing portion204, and/or the heel portion302can be between about 8 and about 16 degrees, or between about 10 and about 15 degrees. The wellbore can have a length and/or horizontal or lateral spacing212within the reservoir as described with respect to the wellbore114ofFIG. 2. Once drilled, the wellbore114can be completed within the portions of the wellbore having the high DLS such as the heel portion202, the landing portion204, and/or the second heel portion302using various techniques, as described in more detail herein.

In some embodiments, the wellbore114can be defined by a plurality of downhole coordinates. The coordinates can be used in the drilling process as targets to define the relative DLS of the wellbore114. For example, an enhanced J wellbore configuration can be defined by two or more coordinates (e.g., x-y-z coordinates, any other coordinates, etc.) such as an entrance point into the reservoir210and a landing point. The points and/or coordinates can also describe a relative angle or orientation of the wellbore at the respective coordinate(s). Similarly, an enhanced U wellbore configuration can be defined by two or more coordinates such as an entrance point, a landing point, and a termination point. The points and/or coordinates can describe a relative angle or orientation, and/or the wellbore114can represent a best fit wellbore to the coordinates. The resulting plurality of coordinates can then be used to define the path of the wellbore114as well as the DLS angle or angular range over the length of the portion of the wellbore114subject to the completion processes.

The wellbore114can be completed using a variety of techniques including perforating and hydraulic fracturing as described herein.FIG. 4illustrates a schematic representation of a hydraulically fractured wellbore having a high DLS. The ability to fracture the wellbore within the high DLS portion allows for effective completions that have the potential to result in high production at a reduced cost relative to longer length lateral completions.

As shown inFIG. 4, the resulting fractures, for example initiated through the perforations130, may extend in multiple orientations including laterally, and vertically. The lateral extent of the fractures can pass outside the area between the portions of the enhanced wellbore configuration. The vertical extent of the fractures may extent to the upper and lower boundaries of a given reservoir zone. Further, the fractures that result from completing the wellbore within the high DLS portion may intersect or overlap and cross between the heel portion202, the landing portion204, and/or the second heel portion302. This form of complex overlapping of fractures between multiple and separate completion points along the wellbore114may form an intersecting web of fractures that can result in a highly porous and effective completion within and around the wellbore114. The resulting fracture structure may be based on the use of the high DLS wellbore such that the drilling technique and resulting wellbore configuration may help to create a near-wellbore fracturing that promotes extended fracturing within the formation.

The wellbore configurations described above can also be used across multiple production zones within a subterranean formation.FIG. 5shows a schematic representation of a multi-layered or multi-zone reservoir502. The reservoir502can have a plurality of producing layers504along with one or more non-producing layers506. As shown inFIG. 5, the producing layers504can be interlayered with the non-producing layers506to produce a striated or layered configuration. While multiple layers are shown for purposes of illustration, the multi-layered reservoir502may have two or more producing layers504and one or more non-producing layers506between the two or more producing layers504. While the layers504,506are shown as being horizontal, it should be evident to one skilled in the art that such layers can take on a number of orientations within the subterranean formation, and each multilayer reservoir can have multiple layers504,506while having unique configurations. While the wellbore114is shown entering vertically or substantially vertically inFIG. 5, the orientation of the wellbore entering a reservoir can be adjusted to allow the wellbore114to traverse the multi-layered reservoir502at a desired orientation with the high DLS angles.

As shown inFIG. 5, the wellbore114can be the same or similar to the wellbores described with respect toFIG. 2andFIG. 3in which the wellbore can have a high DLS within the heel portion202, the landing portion204, and/or the second heel portion302. The wellbore114can be an enhanced J or enhanced U that crosses the plurality of producing layers504. The wellbore114can be the same or similar and share any of the characteristics described herein with respect to the wellbore114ofFIGS. 1-4.

The wellbore114can pass through the plurality of producing layers504and have a high DLS within the reservoir502as it passes through the producing layers504. The wellbore can then be completed as described herein, including being completed within the plurality of producing layers504where the wellbore114has the high DLS. As shown inFIG. 5, the wellbore can enter a first or upper producing layer504and have one or more sets of perforations and/or hydraulic fractures within the first producing layer504. As the wellbore114passes through the non-producing layer506, the wellbore may not be completed within this layer506. As a result, the wellbore may be selectively completed along its length in one or more producing layers504while maintaining the high DLS along its length.

The wellbore114ofFIG. 5can be completed across one or more producing layers504during each completion stage. For example, selective placement of a perforating string can be used to perforate the casing set in the wellbore across the one or more producing layers while avoiding the non-producing layers. A completion string can then isolate perforations across two or more producing layers504to effectively hydraulically fracture within a plurality of producing layers504in a single fracturing procedure, as described in more detail herein. The process can be completed across the desired completion length of the wellbore114to effectively complete the wellbore across the plurality of producing layers504.

As shown inFIG. 5, the wellbore114may traverse one or more layers504,506a plurality of times. The enhanced U wellbore shown inFIG. 5passes through the upper most producing layer504before passing to the lower layers. The continued high DLS then brings the wellbore back through the upper most producing layer504to a second point in the second heel section302. A number of the producing layers504can then be traversed by the wellbore114at least twice at spatial separate locations or points. This allows the wellbore to be completed within a producing layer at two different points that are separated from each other. This may allow for more complete fracturing across the producing interval that can be further enhanced by the use of the high DLS wellbore114.

The fracturing of the formation as described with respect toFIG. 4can occur within each producing layer504of the multi-layer reservoir502. The non-producing layers506may serve as barriers to production and/or fracturing such that the fracturing within a producing layer504may be contained within that producing layer504. Thus, the fracturing of the layers from the wellbore having the high DLS can result in an effectively fractured formation that extends around, laterally across, and vertically within the limits of the producing layer504.

In some embodiments, the wellbore114can pass through a producing layer504a plurality of times. In these embodiments, the wellbore114can be completed at multiple, spaced apart points across the producing layer504(as opposed to simply multiple adjacent points along the length of the wellbore114). This spacing of the completion points may allow for the portion of the producing layer that is effectively fractured to be extend between the two completion points as well as behind and round the area between the two completion points, as described herein. The resulting completions within one or more of the producing layers504may provide for an increased production from each producing layer504as compared to completing the wellbore114from a single point within such producing layer504.

FIG. 5illustrates a layered configuration having zones that can be identified as separable. In some reservoirs, the formation can contain mixed multi-zone layers comprising thin and poorly defined layers or various types of rock and formations such as shales, tight sands, coals, limestone, etc. In this type of formation, the layers may be represented by relatively thin layers that may not be uniform on a vertical or horizontal scale. However, the wellbore114can pass through the mixed layers as shown inFIG. 5, and the producing layers504identified in the same manner described herein to provide for an improved completion that can access a plurality of desired layers or zones.

The ability to complete a multi-layered reservoir502in a plurality of the producing layers504may have a number of advantages relative to a traditional lateral completion. In general, a single lateral completion would pass through and target a single producing layer. The remaining layers may not be accessed effectively due to the nature of the non-producing layers forming an effective block to fluid communication as well as a barrier to fracturing. By completing the wellbore114as an enhanced J or enhanced U configuration, a plurality of the producing layers504can be completed and accessed even in the presence of intervening non-producing layers506.

The wellbore configurations and completion techniques described herein can provide for the effective coverage across the lateral extent of a wellbore. Due to the ability to effectively access the reservoir as well as having a relatively shorter length, the resulting wellbore patterns and field layouts may be unique.FIG. 6Ashows a schematic plan view of a formation602having a plurality of lateral wellbores614extending across the formation602. The wellbores can be drilled from a common drilling pad, and would generally extend from one side of the formation602to the other side. In the wellbore614, a plurality of perforations130and completion points would be distributed across the formation602. Due to various considerations such as pressure loss, depth of the wellbore, and the like, the effective extent of the hydraulic fractures along the wellbore614may generally decrease. The fracturing pattern extent is shown as the outline604, which can be seen inFIG. 6Ato decrease from the top of the wellbore614towards the end of the wellbore614. Multiple wellbores614are then used to attempt to cover the formation602. It can be seen inFIG. 6A, that some areas remain inaccessible, and on a vertical scale, additional portions of the formation (e.g., producing layers above and below a completed layer) can be inaccessible using long lateral completion techniques.

FIG. 6Billustrates a schematic plan view of a formation602have a plurality of wellbores114configured as described herein with high DLS wellbore114. As shown the wellbores114may be shorter than long lateral wellbores and can extend into the formation602. Based on the enhanced fracturing patterns as described herein, the extent of the effectively fractured zones may be greater and generally more uniform than those of the lateral wellbore fractures, where the fracture zones from the wellbores114are shown with the outlines654inFIG. 6B. The fracture patterns demonstrate that more of the area of the formation602can be covered using the wellbores114as described herein than using long lateral wellbores. Moreover, the wellbores as described herein can also provide increased access to vertical producing layers within the formation as compared a lateral wellbore passing through a single producing layer. The increased extent of the fractured area around the wellbores114having the high DLS may also allow the number of wellbores used to access the reserves in a reservoir to potentially be decreased while maintaining a similar level of recovery.

The decreased size and length of the wellbores114allows these wellbores to be used for infill and edge well placements, where longer length laterals would not fit or would not be economic. The placement of these wellbores114allows the enhanced wellbores to be used with longer laterals in various patterns as well as to capture various vertically separated producing layers within a reservoir. In some embodiments, a reservoir may comprise one or more of the enhanced wellbore configurations as described herein in addition to one or more other wellbores having lateral or other configurations.

The wellbores described herein allow for a number of advantages over other techniques for accessing reserves within a reservoir. Initially, the wellbores as described herein may allow for access to similar or increased levels of production at a decreased cost. For example, the same or an increased level of production can be obtained at a cost of less than about 90%, less than about 80%, or less than about 70% of current costs. The cost savings can be obtained in part due to the decreased length of the wellbores along with few completion stages. This further allows for a reduction in the drilling pad size, the rig size, the casing size and amount of casing, the amount of proppant, the amount of fracturing fluids used, and the like.

The benefits of the wellbores as described here can be used in most, if not all, types of reservoirs to access the reserves. The wellbores can be used across single reservoir zones, layered or stacked reservoir zones, and/or stacked intermittent or mixed layered reservoir zones. Further, the wellbores have the ability to access multiple producing layers within a reservoir as compared to the ability of long lateral wellbores to primarily only access a single producing layer. The increased access to the reserves also allows for more of the reserves from a reservoir to be accessed. This can improve the economics of the wellbores for a given reservoir or field.

Having described numerous devices, systems, and method herein, various embodiments can include, but are not limited to:

In a first embodiment, a method for forming a wellbore comprises: drilling a wellbore into at least one production zone in a subterranean formation; maintaining a high dog-leg severity within a first portion of the wellbore, wherein the first portion is in the at least one production zone; and completing the wellbore within the first portion.

A second embodiment can include the method of the first embodiment, wherein a first end of the first portion of the wellbore begins at an entrance point of the wellbore into the at least one production zone, and wherein a second end of the first portion of the wellbore has a vertical angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to a vertical angle of the first end of the first portion of the wellbore.

A third embodiment can include the method of the first or second embodiment, wherein the high dog-leg severity has an angle of between about 8 and about 16 degrees per 100 feet of wellbore length.

A fourth embodiment can include the method of any of the first to third embodiments, wherein completing the wellbore within the first portion comprises: setting casing within the first portion; and perforating the casing within the first portion.

A fifth embodiment can include the method of any of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein completing the wellbore within the first portion comprises: hydraulically fracturing the subterranean formation within the at least one production zone from within the first portion.

A sixth embodiment can include the method of the fifth embodiment, further comprising: forming fractures in the subterranean formation both vertically and horizontally in response to hydraulically fracturing the subterranean formation within the at least one production zone from within the first portion

A seventh embodiment can include the method of the sixth embodiment, wherein the fractures in the subterranean formation intersect between two or more fracturing points along a length of the wellbore.

An eighth embodiment can include the method of any of the first to seventh embodiments, wherein the first portion of the wellbore comprises a heel portion and a landing portion adjacent the heel portion.

A ninth embodiment can include the method of the eighth embodiment, wherein the first portion of the wellbore further comprises a second heel portion adjacent the landing portion.

A tenth embodiment can include the method of the ninth embodiment, wherein the high dog-leg severity is substantially maintained through the heel portion, the landing portion, and the second heel portion.

An eleventh embodiment can include the method of any of the first to tenth embodiments, further comprising: forming localized fracturing around the wellbore in the first portion in response to drilling the wellbore while maintaining the high dog-leg severity within the first portion of the wellbore.

A twelfth embodiment can include the method of any of the first to eleventh embodiments, wherein the first portion has a total length of about 4,000 feet or less.

In a thirteenth embodiment, a wellbore completion comprises: a borehole extending into a subterranean formation; a first portion of the borehole disposed within at least one production zone of the subterranean formation, wherein the first portion maintains a high dog-leg severity throughout the first portion; one or more completion zones within the first portion of the wellbore, wherein the one or more completions are configured to allow for fluid communication between an interior of the borehole and the subterranean formation.

A fourteenth embodiment can include the wellbore completion of the thirteenth embodiment, wherein a first end of the first portion of the wellbore begins at an entrance point of the wellbore into the at least one production zone, and wherein a second end of the first portion of the wellbore has a vertical angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to a vertical angle of the first end of the first portion of the wellbore.

A fifteenth embodiment can include the wellbore completion of the thirteenth or fourteenth embodiment, further comprising: near wellbore fractures surrounding the wellbore adjacent the first portion.

A sixteenth embodiment can include the wellbore completion of any of the thirteenth to fifteenth embodiments, wherein the high dog-leg severity has an angle of between about 8 and about 16 degrees per 100 feet of borehole length

A seventeenth embodiment can include the wellbore completion of any of the thirteenth to sixteenth embodiments, further comprising: casing disposed within the borehole within the first portion; and one or more perforations disposed in the casing within the first portion.

An eighteenth embodiment can include the wellbore completion of the seventeenth embodiment, further comprising: hydraulic fractures within the subterranean formation extending from the one or more perforations.

A nineteenth embodiment can include the wellbore completion of the eighteenth embodiment, wherein the one or more perforations comprise a plurality of perforations, and wherein the hydraulic fractures intersect between at least two of the plurality of perforations.

A twentieth embodiment can include the wellbore completion of any of the thirteenth to nineteenth embodiments, wherein the first portion of the borehole comprises a heel portion and a landing portion adjacent the heel portion.

A twenty first embodiment can include the wellbore completion of the twentieth embodiment, wherein the first portion of the wellbore further comprises a second heel portion adjacent the landing portion.

A twenty second embodiment can include the wellbore completion of the twenty first embodiment, wherein the high dog-leg severity is substantially maintained through the heel portion, the landing portion, and the second heel portion.

A twenty third embodiment can include the wellbore completion of any of the thirteenth to twenty second embodiments, wherein the first portion has a total length of about 4,000 feet or less.

In a twenty fourth embodiment, a method for forming a wellbore comprises: drilling a wellbore into a subterranean formation having a multi-layered reservoir, wherein the multi-layered reservoir comprises a plurality of producing layers and at least one non-producing layer disposed between two or more producing layers or the plurality of producing layers; maintaining a high dog-leg severity within a first portion of the wellbore, wherein the first portion passes through the plurality of producing layers; and completing the first portion of the wellbore within at least one producing layer of the plurality of producing layers.

A twenty fifth embodiment can include the method of the twenty fourth embodiment, wherein the high dog-leg severity has an angle of between about 8 and about 16 degrees per 100 feet of wellbore length.

A twenty sixth embodiment can include the method of the twenty fourth or twenty fifth embodiment, wherein completing the wellbore within the first portion comprises: setting casing within the first portion; and perforating the casing within the first portion.

A twenty seventh embodiment can include the method of any of the twenty fourth to twenty sixth embodiments, wherein the wellbore passes through a first producing layer of the plurality of producing layers at a first point and a second point.

A twenty eighth embodiment can include the method of the twenty seventh embodiment, wherein completing the wellbore within the first portion comprises: hydraulically fracturing the first producing layer from the first point and the second point to producing a plurality of hydraulic fractures in the first producing layer.

A twenty ninth embodiment can include the method of the twenty eighth embodiment, wherein the plurality of hydraulic fractures in the first producing layer intersect between the first point and the second point.

In a thirtieth embodiment, a wellbore completion comprises: a borehole extending into a subterranean formation comprising a multi-layered formation, wherein the multi-layered reservoir comprises a plurality of producing layers and at least one non-producing layer disposed between two or more producing layers or the plurality of producing layers; a first portion of the borehole disposed through the multi-layered formation, wherein the first portion maintains a high dog-leg severity throughout the first portion, and wherein the first portion passes through the plurality of producing layers; and one or more completions within the first portion of the wellbore, wherein the one or more completions are configured to allow for fluid communication between an interior of the borehole and the subterranean formation in at least one producing layer of the plurality of producing layers.

A thirty first embodiment can include the wellbore completion of the thirtieth embodiment, wherein the high dog-leg severity has an angle of between about 8 and about 16 degrees per 100 feet of wellbore length.

A thirty second embodiment can include the wellbore completion of the thirtieth or thirty first embodiment, further comprising: casing disposed within the borehole within the first portion; and one or more perforations disposed in the casing within the first portion.

A thirty third embodiment can include the wellbore completion of any of the thirtieth to thirty second embodiments, wherein the wellbore passes through a first producing layer of the plurality of producing layers at a first point and a second point.

A thirty fourth embodiment can include the wellbore completion of the thirty third embodiment, further comprising: hydraulic fractures in the first producing layer extending from the first point and the second point.

A thirty fifth embodiment can include the wellbore completion of the thirty fourth embodiment, wherein the plurality of hydraulic fractures in the first producing layer intersect between the first point and the second point.

Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and having should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, and comprised substantially of. Use of the term “optionally,” “may,” “might,” “possibly,” and the like with respect to any element of an embodiment means that the element is not required, or alternatively, the element is required, both alternatives being within the scope of the embodiment(s). Also, references to examples are merely provided for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to be exclusive.