First Sub-Horizontal Well Drilled in Severe Conditions of Kruzenshternskoye Field
Authors: Okishev R. , Dobrokhleb P. , Kretsul V. , Zadvornov D. , Grachev O. , Maximov D. 
Published: October 2016

Kruzenshternskoye field is located in the northern part of Yamal Peninsula, despite its resources are considered as conventional, geological uncertainty, severe climate, absence of infrastructure and another regional features creates challenges for operations.

Scope of the project includes analysis the project, driving forces for oilfield development and reasons for technologies evolution into specific "drilling system", comparison of archived results with the plan proposals for future projects.

New drilling technologies integrated into engineered drilling system and close collaboration between project participants resulted in the successful drilling of the first sub-horizontal well in Kruzenshternskoye field.

Lack of experience in drilling such wells in the region, not sufficient structural geological information and other operational requirements presented significant risks and challenges for successful accomplishment of the project.

New approach was developed to effectively tackle technical and operational challenges, the outcome was a newly designed drilling system, which comprises technologies and organizational solutions into special fit for purpose combination. The designed workflow allowed to handle these challenges effectively by integrating geomechanics with efficient drilling practices.

A challenging well was successfully drilled to explore Tanopchin production zone in the Kruzenshternskoye field. Key contributing factors to this success were: Solid preliminary analysis;Understanding of wellbore stability by pre-drill and real-time geomechanical modeling;Comprehensive directional drilling and drilling fluids analysis;Revised well casing design;Application of latest drilling technologies;Creation of multi-discipline team with common goals.

To ensure a high degree of reliability, safety and efficiency, a more integrated and high-tech approach should be essential when planning and executing the well construction of sub-horizontal well in extremely remote location. New drilling technologies integrated into engineered drilling system and close collaboration between project participants resulted in the successful drilling of the first sub-horizontal well in the Kruzenshternskoye field.

Drilling of a complex exploration well from given surface location on land to offshore structure required close cooperation between operator, drilling contractor and service provider.

This paper discusses the upfront assessment and execution process for delivery the first ever sub-horizontal well in the remote locations of far north by a team of industry professionals from Gazprom Geologorazvedka, Schlumberger and Gazprom Burenie.

The success of the Kruzenshternskoye drilling campaign demonstrates only joint teamwork on planning as well on execution phases is crucial to overcome technical, environmental and logistical challenges. Developed engineered drilling solutions can be applied in development of other fields located in the Yamal coastline of Far North.