Transformation of current technology is under way as Saudi Aramco aims to make producer wells reach more extensively than ever into oil bearing formations through Extreme Reservoir Contact (ERC) wells. This technology entails a quantum leap forward in multilateral drilling, according to a report carried by Saudi Aramco's web-site. Multilateral wells, already in use across the Kingdom, tie-in several lateral branches to a vertical or horizontal main well, significantly increasing well productivity and hydrocarbon recovery. At present, the number of laterals per well is limited to four or five due to the mechanical control lines each lateral feed requires. Soon, thanks to advances made by the EXPEC Advanced Research Center (ARC), that number could increase tenfold and much higher. “We envision 50 to 100 laterals per well to efficiently drain the reservoir and maximize economic recovery,” said Muhammad M. Saggaf, manager of EXPEC ARC. “The main challenges we face are communication and power supply,” he added. --MORE
