Normally, oil fields develop, once the exploratory phase and reservoir delineation are concluded, is performed based on a geometric arrangement that involves the spacing of wells according to their drainage radius and therefore avoid drain areas overlap.
The Rubiales field in the eastern plains of Colombia is characterized by high stratification and sand thicknesses of economic interest that are on average below 10 feet and are mostly drained horizontally on having only 3-4 feet Net Pay although in specific cases, have been drilled thicknesses less than 2 feet, always coexisting with the water and having to manage it for doing this field economically profitable. Generally speaking, could be considered a reservoir of low structural complexity.
However compiled drilling experience in thin beds has shown problems questioning lateral continuity of sand bodies in the original length of the paths well designed, affecting the forecasted production commitment, raising operational risk having to make changes on well paths during drilling and finishing doing “pilot holes” being already in horizontal sections to resizing the stratigraphy and the placement of sand bodies and lateral continuity involved.
This job is a compilation of some experiences obtained at Rubiales field having seismic data as support and powerful tool for minimizing risk of total or partial navigation target loss in heavy oil thin beds reservoirs.
