Domestic rotary steerable systems development potential for drilling horizontal wells

Abstract

A complex of special equipment is required for the construction of high-tech wells. The basis of modern time efficient, precise and safe drilling is rotary steerable systems (RSS).
For the past five years, rotary steerable systems have been using in Russia as a technical and technological solution to reduce accidents and to improve the quality of well construction with large vertical deviations of the extended drilling radius. These systems allow drilling to be oriented along the entire length of the well.
Rotary steerable systems allows drilling both perfectly vertical wells with a deviation angle of not more than 0,2°, and horizontal wells more than 2 000 metres long.
Implementation of rotary steerable systems allows building wells with extremely extended reach and conducting wells in 1–2 metres thick reservoirs with precision.
In 2016, OktoGeo LLC carried out pilot well program with APS Technology's 172 mm RSS (with power section) at an oil field in the territory of KhantyMansiysk Autonomous Okrug — Ugra.
All the rotary steerable system positioning programs were completed based on the results of that work and results of drilling 2 205 metres long directional well.