Deep-water and ultra-deep water drilling presents various challenges that demand innovative solutions to ensure successful well placement in the target reservoir. Geological uncertainties in these environments are rather complicated, thus, require meticulous planning across all aspects. This paper explores the complexities of horizontal well placement in deep-water environments through the landing and geosteering of two wells in the Field 1 and Field 2 oil fields, offshore Sabah, Malaysia (Figure 1). Horizontal well drilling has emerged as a strategic approach to optimize reservoir recovery in deep-water settings. However, the success of such endeavors hinges on the ability to navigate through geological uncertainties, such as faulted reservoirs and varying formation characteristics. This study aims to share the strategic planning, technological innovations, and mitigation strategies employed during the drilling of two horizontal wells targeting the same turbidite sand sequence in Field 1 and Field 2 fields.
Through the lens of the Field 1 and Field 2 case studies, we aim to contribute valuable lessons and recommendations for other deep-water players with similar geological uncertainties. By understanding the intricacies of these challenges and the successful approaches employed, stakeholders can enhance their ability to optimize reservoir recovery and achieve efficient well placement in deep-water environments.
