This video describes a new capability whereby RockWorks16 can be used to automatically determine the path for a horizontal well that starts out as a vertical borehole at a designated location and then curves (based on a user-defined radius of curvature) into a pay-zone as defined by two grid models. The path will then automatically route itself along the mid-line of the two surfaces until reaching a user-defined point.
Caveat: This program assumes that hole starts out vertically.
The YouTube playlists have proven to be somewhat cumbersome, so we have created a hyper-linked master index that makes it easier to find content. Check it out …
RockWare YouTube Video Index URL: http://www.rockware.com/rockworks/revisions/rockware_videos.htm
Wattenberg Field, Colorado
The Denver Post recently reported that Anadarko estimates between 500 million and 1.5 billion barrels of oil remain in the Wattenberg field in the Denver-Julesburg Basin in Colorado, thanks to the success of their horizontal drilling and fracing completion techniques in the Niobrara formation. Their first 11 wells started out with an average production of 800 BOPD.
Anadarko plans 1200 more wells in the Niobrara with TD’s below 6000′.
The Denver Post recently had a pretty well-balanced article about fracking. The article explains that the problems occur if the surface casing is not cemented properly, and the fracking procedure includes pressuring up the borehole to make sure the cement holds.
Often the problems are caused by surface spills and older wells that do not have cement jobs up to current day standards.