Well type and pattern optimization technology for large scale tight sand gas, Sulige gas field, NW China

Abstract Sulige gas field is a typical tight sand gas field in China. Well type and pattern optimization is the key technology to improve single well estimated reserves and recovery factor and to achieve effective field development. In view of the large area, low abundance and high heterogeneity of Sulige gas field, a series of techniques have been developed including hierarchical description for the reservoir architecture of large composite sand bodies and well spacing optimization, well pattern optimization, design and optimization for horizontal trajectory and deliverability evaluation for different types of gas wells. These technologies provide most important technical supports for the increases of class I and II wells proportion to 75%–80% with recovery factor enhanced by more than 35% and for the industrial application of horizontal drilling. To further improve individual well production and recovery factor, attempts and pilot tests in various well types including side tracking of deficient wells, multilateral horizontal wells, and directional wells, and horizontal well pattern and combined well pattern of various well types should be carried out throughout the development.