This paper describes strategies and techniques employed to extend the drilling reach in the Gullfaks field, offshore Norway. Field development plans were originally based upon deviated wells drilled to a maximum inclination of 60° and a maximum displacement of 3 km. Emerging horizontal drilling techniques encouraged a reevaluation of these field development plans. These techniques are now being implemented to increase the inclination and extend the reach to 5 km in support of the revised plan. The early success achieved has urged further consideration of extended-reach drilling to as much as 10 km.

Keywords:
inclination, sidetrack, upstream oil & gas, hole section, hole size, torque, hold section, steerable assembly, gullfaks field, assembly
Subjects:
Drilling Operations, Directional drilling
Copyright 1993, SPE/IADC Drilling Conference
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