Yurkharovskoye Extended Reach Drilling Campaign Resulted in the Successful Completion of Record Multilateral Well
Authors: Glebov Evgeny , Shokarev Ivan , Gulov Artur , Zhludov Alexey , Dymov Sergey , Dobrokhleb Pavel , Kretsul Vyacheslav , Zadvornov Dmitry , Kondarev Vitaly , Fedotov Andrey 
Published: October 2015

As part of the field development plan Novatek, Russia's largest independent natural gas producer, recently planned an extended reach drilling (ERD) campaign at the Yurkharovskoye field, in the northern part of Western Siberia, Russia. The focus of this campaign is the development of an offshore part of the field from onshore locations using ERD techniques and implementation of new systematic approach - specific combinations of the drilling technologies, engineering and organizational solutions.

Developed a new drilling program based on engineered drilling system (EDS) approach. Geomechanical model was created to address main challenges related to wellbore stability. Key drilling and measurement technologies, including multipole sonic-while-drilling, high-speed telemetry, multifunction logging-while-drilling technologies in combination with rotary steerable technology, polycrystalline diamond compact bits and oil-based drilling fluid were used to deliver superior drilling performance and control drilling regimes in real time. Another specific of this project was multilateral completion at TAML (Technology Advancement for Multi-Laterals) level 3 junction and the deepest casing exit from 178-mm string alone with the first in mainland Russia run of LWD tools for the direct formation pressure measurement while drilling.

Four extended reach wells were drilled in this Yurkharovskoye ERD campaign with outstanding results in performance. Use of most advanced and superior technologies allowed setting several records for entire mainland Russia and to successfully drill and complete the longest ERD and longest multilateral ERD wells. A new approach in interaction between all participants in the project and engineered technological solutions as part of integrated drilling system was successfully implemented on all wells acknowledging its effectiveness in improving project performance and elimination of undesired incidents. Geomechanical model updated in real time was crucial in defining safe operational drilling parameters and regimes, together with precise drilling-fluid management, enabled rapid response to actual well conditions (i.e., fracture gradients, wellbore stability, hole cleaning and high torque) while drilling. Use of special casing milling system allowed performing whipstock orienting and casing exit in one run with full-size window at high inclination and long departure from surface. Well construction and production objectives were successfully archived and led to changes to the field development plan including planning new ERD wells for shallower pay zones on the field.

This paper will describe how multidisciplinary well design and construction team addressed drilling challenges in variety of extended reach horizontal wells in Yurkharovskoye oilfield. Achieved results of new approach for complex technical projects will be presented; lessons learned and plans for future field development will be described.