Horizontal drillling has become common practice in today’s unconventional fracture and shale plays.  Advances in drill bit technology, measurement while drilling, and geosteering have allowed operators to more efficiently drill in reservoirs that were once considered too risky or uneconomic to drill. Advances in completion technology have also helped make these high risk plays an economic venture.

 

Geosteering, in particular, is critical in keeping the drill bit in the target zone.  Numerous different methods have been established to geosteer horizontal wells with each one bringing its own set of advantages and limitations.  Each method must balance its value against project economics, which can be difficult as the operator and service provider can view that value differently.   In this type of environment, operators and service providers must take a multi-disciplinary approach to maximize safety, minimize costly errors, and ultimately ensure project success.