Shale Gas Drilling Techniques - Horizontal drilling combined with fracking boosts well productivity. Innovations in multi-stage fracturing are extending the life of shale wells.

Shale gas drilling relies primarily on the combination of vertical pilot holes and horizontal laterals. The well is drilled vertically to a depth below the underground drinking water sources and often slightly into the shale layer, where a durable steel casing is cemented into place. The trajectory then curves into a horizontal wellbore that follows the thin layer of shale for miles. Precision steering using Measurement While Drilling (MWD) technology is critical to keep the drill bit within the "sweet spot" of the reservoir, maximizing the contact area for the subsequent fracturing process.

FAQs on Shale Gas Drilling Techniques
Q1: What is 'horizontal drilling'?
A1: It is the process of drilling a well that turns 90 degrees from the vertical to run horizontally within a target reservoir rock layer, often for a mile or more, to maximize reservoir exposure.

Q2: What is 'pad drilling'?
A2: Pad drilling is the practice of drilling multiple horizontal wells from a single, centralized surface location ('pad'). This significantly reduces the environmental footprint, minimizes trucking and infrastructure costs, and improves operational efficiency.

Q3: How is a horizontal well fractured multiple times?
A3: The horizontal section is divided into "stages." Techniques like "plug-and-perf" involve pumping a plug to isolate a section, then perforating the casing with explosives, and finally injecting the fracture fluid. This is repeated for each stage along the lateral.

More Relate Reports:

India Smart Meters Market

Japan Smart Meters Market

Spain Smart Meters Market

APAC Solar Panel Recycling Market

China Solar Panel Recycling Market