In 1997, Xijiang 24-3-A 14 extended reach well (ERW) was drilled from Xijiang 24-3 platform. This well set a world record for a horizontal displacement of 8,062.7m at a measured depth of 9,238 m. it was needed to develop a satellite field about 8km from the existing platform. Due to the size of the field and number of the stacked sands, an S-shaped ERW was designed and drilled with an 80 tangent to the crest of the first reservoir sand. All the reservoir sands within the closure were intersected by dropping to a 54 inclination at total depth.
In addition to difficulties such as target tolerance, torque and drag, wellbore stability, normally expected in extended reach wells, several other obstacles were noted on Xijiang ERW. The critical problems included the unique operations in this area, relatively undersize of the rig and platform, near exploratory nature of the well.
This paper will discuss the drilling and completion of the ERW and how each of the critical problems was addressed and resolved.
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