Society of Petroleum Engineers

SPE 26334

Recovery of Attic Oil Through Horizontal Drilling

E.J. Martins and N.J. Larez, Maraven S.A., and W.G. Lesso Jr., Anadrill Schlumberger
SPE Members

Copyright 1993, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Inc.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 68th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Petroleum Engineers held in Houston, Texas, 3-6 October 1993.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper,
as presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect
any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Papers presented at SPE meetings are subject to pUblication review by Editorial Committees of the Society
of Petroleum Engineers. Permission to copy is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words. Illustrations may not be copied. The abstract should contain conspicuous acknowledgment
of where and by whom the paper is presented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O. Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836, U.S.A. Telex, 163245 SPEUT.

Abstract recovery of most of the remaining reserves in a cost

The production of moderate-sized oil reservoirs, wedged
up against major faults, frequently leaves residual
hydrocarbons towards the top of the trapping mechanism
involved. The beds are usually dipping at a high angle.
Recovery of this attic oil in geologically complex reservoirs
with conventional vertical or directional wells is, in general,
not cost effective because of the reduced vertical column
of oil in place and the ease of water coning. This situation
exists in several Bloque I, Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela
reservoirs that have produced oil over the past 40 years.
A horizontal drainhole was planned, drilled and produced
in one of these attic sections parallel to a large fault to
recover a higher percentage of the remaining reserves.
The location was identified using 30 seismic and confirmed
with reservoir modeling and historical data. In addition, a
pilot was drilled near the heel of the well to confirm the
sand location. The first attempt to land a horizontal
drainhole missed the sand due to the complexity of the
geologic structure. A timely assessment of geologic and
geometric data yielded a new model of the sand location.
This, coupled with geo-steering techniques, allowed a
second drainhole to successfully follow the sand in oil for
more than 1100 ft. The well was completed with 7" casing
having a slotted section along the drainhole. Initial tests
showed 2400 BOPO. This was an eight-fold increase as
compared to several vertical wells in the same reservoir.
The project was an overall success. Costs and time spent
in drilling and completion were within expectations. This
paper will show that coordination of the project through an
Integrated team consisting of the operator's and the
various contractor's personnel was key in producing this
result. Based on the first six month's production
performance, the well has paid for itself, and it will allow
effective manner. The experience gained on this well is
serving as the basis for other horizontal projects in Lake
Maracaibo and other parts of Venezuela.
Introduction
Various trapping mechanisms have allowed migrating oil to
accumulate Into reservoirs where size would be defined by
the extent of the trap and porous rock below it. These
reservoirs, upon discovery and production, yield
hydrocarbons and pressure in a pattern depending on the
location of the wells and their perforations. The result after
many years of production is an influx of water consolidating
hydrocarbons towards the top of the trap and thus causing
small pockets of oil to be isolated from each other. This is
attic oil. This, coupled with an uneven oil-water contact,
makes further exploitation difficult. The reduced vertical
height of pay, lower reservoir pressures, and greater
relative permeability of water to oil result in new wells,
which attempt to tap these hydrocarbons, not findin9 much
to produce or watering out quickly upon production. A
large percentage of oil in place is then left as being
uneconomic to recover.
This scenario has developed in Bloque I, Lake Maracaibo,
Venezuela. A series of massive faults has allowed oil to
accumulate. Production from the 1950's to the present day
have reduced reservoir pressures and brought the oj(-
water contact up. A fault, named the Icotea, has a
vertical displacement exceeding 2,000 ft with several
smaller faults nearby. Large amounts of oil have been
produced. In one region, VLA-8, 42 million barrels have
been produced from 118 million estimated barrels of
reserves in place. Figure 1 shows the location of the

201
References and illustrations at end of paper.
2 RECOVERING ATTIC OIL THROUGH HORIZONTAL DRILLING
region and wells drilled. Virgin reservoir pressures of 3200
psi have fallen to 1800 psi in some parts of the area.
Production has come from three sand groups, the C-5, C-
6, and C-7. Figure 2 shows recent three month average
production of several wells in the region. Most wells have
watered out and have been shut in. Production modeling
confirmed that significant oil remains near the fault.
Recently drilled wells broke to water either immediately
upon being put on production or within two months.
A new production approach was needed. In early 1992 a
project was started to model and review the economics of
using a horizontal drainhole to capture a significant
percentage of the remaining reserves while delaying water
breakthrough as long as possible. The idea was to rely on
a lower drawdown pressure during production to avoid
water coning. The drainhole would have to be precisely
placed in the sand close to the fault, in a non-watered-out
section, and as far above the water as possible. All of
this was complicated by the sand dip varying from 30 to 45
degrees caused by the proximity of the fault. The
procedures used to plan, execute, evaluate, complete
and produce this project are the subject of this paper.
The Geological Model
The attic in the VLA-8 region is comprised of a strongly
faulted area sealed on the west by the major structural
features of the Maracaibo basin. This is the Icotea fault
which runs generally on a north-south pattern. The
reservoir is limited by an oil-water contact estimated at
7118 ft SS as the sand dips down towards the east. The
region is separated from other regions on the north and
south by normal faults (figure 3). This structure has been
interpreted as a high dip faulted monocline striking
northeast to southwest. The productive sands in this area
are C-6 and C-7. Each have been divided into three
intervals -- Superior, Medium and Lower respectively. The
C-7 reservoir in particular is made up of massive sand
packages with thicknesses varying between 60 and 200 ft,
which represents a complex fluvial delta model.
The C-7 is formed by seven sedimentary units which are
part of a series of channels and meandering bars generally
oriented north-south throughout the field. This reservoir
has produced with a high water cut for more than 30 years
which has increased sharply in recent years. The large
water production is due to a very active water drive and
historically high drawdown pressures to which the wells
have been subjected. Further exploitation of these sands
with vertical wells drilled in the crest of the structure would
have the same limitation and would not guarantee
significant recovery.
The fact is that large amounts of oil remain, and these can
not be produced by normal means. Thus, the field is an
ideal candidate for horizontal drainhole exploitation.
Well Design
A review of seismic data showed the complexity of the
field and begged the question for additional information on
202
seE 26334
the exact location of the C-7 reservoir. Seismic lines have
been merged into a database for the area. New lines
were interpolated with 3D processing along the azimuth of
the fault and perpendicular to it. ihis enabled project
planners to get a feel for the stratigraphy. The
perpendicular lines were viewed about every 500 feet
along the fault line and intended drainhole azimuth. One of
these plots is shown in figure 4.
Three different pilot hole options were considered (figure
5). A 55 degree pilot near the heel of three proposed
horizontal paths was selected as a compromise of location
and cost. This further reflects the complex nature of the.
stratigraphy and uncertainties in the actual location of the
Icotea fault along the path and irregularities in the oil water
contact. The resolution of these issues was the prime
objective of the pilot. From a drilling standpoint,
directional experience gained from a higher angle pilot
would help in horizontal operations, since no directional
wells had been drilled in this field.
The well path trajectory would be geo-steered with an
MWD system. The formation would be evaluated in real-
time while drilling using a gamma ray and 2 mHz dual
resistivity tool. Density and neutron porosity data would
be recorded in downhole memory for later retrieval.
Precision directional control in both the pilot and drainhole
would be achieved using an adjustable bent housing
steerable system. Figure 6 shows the basic BHA and drill
string design to be used in the high angle sections. Due
to depleated formation pressures, a low density PHPA
mud system was selected to provide improved cuttings
transport in high angle sections.
The drilling log data program would be supplemented by
conventional wireline logs designed to gain critical
information concerning high angle drilling. Among standard
formation evaluation logs, a rock mechanics sonic evaluation
would be made to determine formation mechanical
stability. This is a prerequisite for horizontal operations.
The plan called for 9 5/8" casing to be set at the beginning
of a safety tangent section to allow flexibility in decisions
concerning the final trajectory. Maintaining flexibility in the
plan was a key strategy of the project. Further flexibility
was planned so that the drainhole could be completed
with either a fully cemented and perforated liner or simply
with a slotted liner.
Cross-Discipline Coordination
A multi-discipline group was formed to coordinate
operations, analyze information coming from the well, and
properly execute modifications to the plan. The team was
made up of specialists from geology, engineering and
field operations groups of the operator and personnel
from the various service companies. The team would meet
on a scheduled daily basis and be available 24 hrs a day
during critical operations. A mission control center was
established as a focal point for the variety of data
acquired. There geologic and directional plots could be
merged and reviewed with newly incoming data by' the
team. Variations in stratigraphy required flexibility in
SEE 26334 E MARTINS. N. LAREZ and W. LESSO. JR.
directional targeting. The group had to come to a
consensus on actions to be taken while drilling. Mission
control was linked to the rig, which was about 20 miles
away by phone, fax and data transmission. Fax with
discussions by voice proved to be the most effective.
Pilot Operations
One conclusion of the pre-drilling planning was that there
was considerable uncertainty surrounding the location and
quality of the C-7 sands. The objective of the pilot was to
determine the course for the drainhole. The pilot, including
the vertical section, first build, and tangent section through
the C-7 series was drilled in 13 days. The first build was
planned for 6 de~rees/1 00 ft. This would be similar to
curve rates used In the high angle section. One purpose
of this was to test directional drilling tools and techniques.
Several different bits were also tested. These included
IADC 437 and 519 roller cone bits and two soft formation
PDC bits. While these bits were not exactly matched to
the formation for maximum rate of penetration, they would
provide two workable alternatives in high-angle drilling.
Thus, after drillinQ the pilot hole, it was learned that a 1.5
degree bent hOUSing motor would deliver 7-9 degrees/100
ft of build. Also, the PDC bits would be difficult to steer
but could deliver good rates of penetration when rotated.
Steel bearing roller cone bits were effective in avoiding
bearing failure due to rotary drilling with the bent housing.
Problems were noted with maintaining bit gauge and bit
tooth gauge which adversely affected steering.
The pilot penetrated two promising sections of the C-7.
The shallower one, the C-7 Superior, was an excellent
show. The sand was 144 ft thick consisting of 62 ft of oil on
top of 82 ft of water. A volumetric interpretation of the
sand is shown in figure 7. This corresponded to a true
vertical thickness of 41 ft of oil and 54 ft of water. Rock
mechanical properties computed from sonic 10Q data
indicated that the sand would be stable for a hOrizontal
wellbore to be drilled through.
Suitable well bore stability is represented in the form of a
safe mud weight window. 1 The lower boundary is the
minimum mud weight to prevent sloughing, while the
upper limit is the maximum mud weight before losses.
The window narrows as wellbore angle increases. At 90
degrees, a window must exist in order to realistically
expect to drill. The analysis for the C-7 Superior is also
shown in figure 7. The window is shown for wellbore
inclinations of 50 and 90 degrees. The safe window width
is about 15 ppg in the oil leg of the sand and slightly less
in the water section. Reduction of the window due to
increasing inclination is minimal. The decision was made to
proceed with a drainhole. The pilot was plugged back,
9 5/8" casing was set, and new targets selected.
Dralnhole Operations
Updating Models and Steering Decisions
The project team correlated the pilot log data with nearby
wells, specifically VLA-929, 462 and 417. The correlation
indicated that the C-7 Superior was dipping up about 5
203
3
degrees from the pilot; it flattened out, and eventually
started dipping down. A 6 degree/100 ft build to 95
degrees was planned with an intersection of the sand
target point at 6380 ft (tvd). This was 996 ft along the
project azimuth of 16 degrees. Various markers along the
way down to C-7 Superior were selected that could be
found with either the LWD gamma ray or resistivity
sensors. The idea was to verify the approach to horizontal
with these anomalies and adjust the trajectory accordingly.
The final build to horizontal began. Early correlations came
in slightly shallow, indicating a higher dip than expected.
The trend continued until the point where the C-7 was now
projected to be more than 50 ft shallower. The wellbore
would penetrate through the sand into the water leg which
would render the drainhole useless. This, in fact,
happened. The team had to develop a tactic to deal with
this local geologic anomaly. The wellbore was turned up in
an attempt to find the bottom of the oil leg of the sand.
Inclination reached 100 degrees. The bottom was found,
and the hole was plugged back. Data indicated that the
formation dip was the expected five degrees. A fault was
suspected but was not supported by seismic or other
data. The team began an in-depth review of drilling and
formation data. Resolution was not forthcoming.
A possible solution came from the effects of azimuthal
changes and the high transverse dips relative to the well
path. As azimuth varied, the path moved towards or away
from the fault. A move towards the fault, which occurred in
the just completed operation, resulted in penetration
lower in the sand package. This was due to the beds
dipping up towards the fault at an estimated 35 degrees.
Figure 8 IS the horizontal plot of the well path trajectories.
It shows that the azimuth changes were relatively small, but
the effect was significant on the sand location. Other minor
variations in dip caused the picture to become quite
complex. A model was worked out that could be used on
a second attempt. This evaluation took place in the five
days needed to plug back the first drainhole and sidetrack
for the start of the second. It was here that cohesive
teamwork among geologists, engineers and directional
drillers paid off.
As in the first wellbore, early correlations would be used
to determine the position of the well path with respect to
the formations. These correlations again indicated high
formation dips. Computations were made to correct for
the azimuthal changes, and a pattern was locked onto. This
indicated that the landing would be successful. The path
entered the top of the sand at 6750 ft with an inclination of
87.6 degrees. This finished the first phase of the
navigation. The second phase would be to steer within
the sand, staying as far away from the oil-water contact as
possible.
The pilot hole log across the sand would be the key map
for navigating the drainhole. The gamma ray and resistivity
measurements from the LWD tool would be the indicators.
This data from the pilot log is shown in figure 9. Small
changes in sandlshaliness are labeled as markers "a" thru
"k". The team would attempt to determine elevation in the
sand from these markers as the drainhole progressed.
4 RECOVERING ATTIC OIL THROUGH HORIZONTAL DRILLING
A five degree up-dip was expected so penetration
through the first few markers was anticipated based on the
entry angle mentioned above. As the path went into the
sand, angle was built up to 96.6 degrees. Markers "a" thru
"f" were penetrated with a turn-around section in "f"
indicating that the path was going up into He". The labeled
log for the drainhole is also shown in figure 9. This was not
a clear cut interpretation. The further away from the pilot
that the drainhole went, the more suspect the analysis
became. Towards the end of the drainhole with several
hundred feet of oil sand, it was decided to steer
aggressively upwards. The idea was that it would be
better to drill out into the shale above rather than into the
water below. Inclination was maintained between 95 and
96 degrees. A correlation was made that indicated travel
up thru members "d", "c", "b" and "a" and finally out of the
sand and into the shale above. This interpretation was
made using the LWO data in real-time. The path was
steered down and back into the sand. Another form of
correlation data was used effectively at this point.
Sedimentology facies within the sand were correlated
which also indicated that the path was nearing the top of
the sand. This exit and subsequent reentry served a very
useful purpose in verifying the effectiveness of these two
navi~ation techniques. The drainhole trajectories are shown
in figure 10. The drainhole reached its planned
displacement with 1112 ft of net pay sand.
Completion and Production Decisions
Final correlations indicated that the closest approach of the
drainhole to the water leg of the C-7 Superior was 18 ft.
This distance allowed the completion design to center
around using slotted casing in the productive zone. There
were two problems that had to be dealt with. First, the
open hole below the 9 5/8" shoe which contained gas
sections, had to be hydraulically sealed from oil
production. Second, there were concerns that the slotted
section might not be able to slide to TO. The slotted
section needed to be centralized to avoid plugging a large
proportion of the slots.
To effect solutions to these two problems, it was decided
to set 7" casing to surface, rather than as a liner with its
associated liner hanger,. Casing would provide pushing
power to get to TO. It would also provide excellent
Isolation from the gas. Slotted 7" pipe with 96 0.02" by
1.75" slots per foot would be placed In the bottom 1300 ft
of the hole. The casing string was run in the hole without
incident. It remained to isolate cement flow from the
slotted pipe and to direct it up the annulus between the 7"
and 9 5/8" casings. An inflatable external casing packer
(ECP) was placed above the slotted section along with a
port collar. Cement was then pumped, without affecting
the slotted section, 1500 ft above the 9 5/8" shoe. This
provided the hydraulic seal needed.
The low reservoir pressure (1200 psi) required artificial lift
for production. 3 1/2" tubing was run with two gas lift
mandrels at 3838 ft and 5838 ft. A sketch of the completion
design is shown in figure 11. The well was now ready for
production.
204
SPE 26334
Production Results
The well was brought in initially with a 318" choke. This was
opened to 1/2", 3/4" and 1" over the course of 16 days.
The final test resulted in 2456 BOPO. Figure 12 shows the
production test profile. Water production was less than 2
percent. It was decided to produce the well on a 5/8"
choke. The well has averaged 1400 BOPO for the five
months time up to the wnting of this paper. Water
production has risen to 4%. The production history is
shown in figure 13. The well has paid for itself and is a .
commercial success.
Conclusions
Horizontal drilling in sand/shale sequences where there is a
production problem such as water coning is most
successful when the drainhole is geo-steered. In other
words, targets of opportunity as spotted from real-time
drilling logs must be taken advantage of. The C-7
Superior sand was the explicit target, not a geometric
point defined by a TVO, Northing and Easting. The
trajectory was adjusted to follow it. The operator's
procedures have to allow rapid approval of changing
target locations. The service companies have to be able
to respond with BHA's and drilling procedures to hit a
moving target.
A team representing the various disciplines needed to
execute this project was formed. This resulted in timely
decisions on subjects from trajectory modifications and
drilling operations to the completion design.
The high transverse dip, 35 degrees up towards the Icotea
fault, resulted in azimuth controf being critical. This was not
accounted for in the original plan and it resulted in the
abandonment of the first drainhole. The team was
effective in resolving this problem and designing a
successful recovery.
Future Plans
There are a large number of fields similar to VLA-8 in a
mature area such as Lake Maracaibo. This new capability
has led to the generation of new prospects by the three
Venezuelan operating companies both In the Lake and on
land. Several of these prospects will have been drilled
by the time this paper is published.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to note that they were only
members of a larger team and recognize those who
contributed to the success of this project. This project
involved a different style of working for many people and
their extra efforts should be applauded. We also would
like to thank the management of Maraven and
Schlumberger for encouraging such a project and
permission to publish the results.
SPE 26334 E. MARTINS, N. LAREZ and W. LESSQ. JR. 5

References
1. Bruce,S., MA Mechanical Stability LogM, SPElIADC
19942, SPElIADC Drilling Conference, February 1990.

Figure 1
Location of the VLA-8 Region in Bloque 1 of Lake Maracaibo. Venezuela
Showing the Location of the Horizontal Project and Nearby Wells.

205
 1500

1000

~
~ 500 oil

o
VLA VLA VLA VLA
VLA VLA VLA VLA 1035
137 417 462 545 546 459 798 HZ
o
.",.,.,.;'
................
'.".,.,-",
500 ,........." ,.......
I.,.,.,.,
I'0"0"'"
..,.".,.,-
.........,
>.".,.".,
'
t:;-:;::;.,,:;.'
'
I\) ...............
..'.,.,.,.,
".,.,." '
o ..............'
..............
m '.,.,.,.,
...........,..
1000 ,.".,.,.,
'.... ,." .... '
'.",.,.,.",
........,......
'.,.,.,.,
.................
,.".".,.,
t:;":;.":;":;~
...........
,.,.,."., ,..
water
~ .................
I.,.,.,."
....,.....-
,"!':'!:.:!:.!-
o
ifi 1500
a:I

2000

2500 (fluid productions based on average of most recently

avaliable three months data)
Figure 3
A Model of the Geologic Structure for the VLA-8 Region of
Bloque 1 in Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela.
Figure 2
Average Production from Nearby VLA-8 Region wells. including the
VLA-1035 Horizontal Well.
 VERTICAL PLAN Maraven. S.A.
Proyecto Horizontal C-7
PLANE OF PROPOSAL VLA1035
16.0 0 Bloque 1

2000
HORIZONTAL PLAN
4000

2500
3500

3000 6470 (tvd)

TO
3000
2500

2000
Q)
~-
3500 ~ 1500
.<::
~ t::
0 1000
.<:: Z
Ci. 4000
CD
0 500

~ 0
~I
N
I ~?
.~-,~

?"f"
... ..
.~ ~ 1~~~1 .~~ ~~~ ~W~;:I
._-...~- if, ...
_, t, , __
CD
>
CD
4500 0 500 1000
East (feet)
1500 2000

2
f-

5000

5SOO

6000

6500
I
Pilot Pilot
1 3
7000 1--0
500 500 1000 1500 2000
2500 3000 3500

Displacement (feet)

Figure 4
A West to East Seismic Line Interpolated from 3D Data Crossing Figure 5
the VLA-1 035 Well Profile. The Drainhole is Oriented into the Trajectory Plot of the Various Pilot Options Considered
Page. Components of the Icotea Fault System are Shown. Note
the High Dip Angle of the Target C-7 Where the Well was Drilled.
SPE 26334 E. MARTINS, N, LAREZ and W, LESSQ, JR. 9

2'25
BOSOft
2000 TO Orainhola 2

1875 Plan Una

1750

'825

,sao

'375

1250
Figure 8
Horizontal Trajectory Plot for VLA-1035 of Planned
i' 1125 vs, Actual Well Paths. Note the Relatively SIi9ht Changes
~
in Azimuth that had Major Effects on PosItion In the Sand.
'000
.&:
1::
0 875
Z
750
~ Up-dip
625 direction
35
sao

375

250

'25

III Sholo

o SandyShoio

Drainhole D-
+-
Figure 9

The Pilot and Drainhole Trajectory Sketches with

Labeled Markers. "a" through "k" In the pilot and
"a" through "f" in the drainhole.

Pilot

209
11- RECOVERING ATTIC Oil THROUGH HORIZONTAL DRILLING seE 26334

5400
5400ft KOP

~ 5700

~
-
.I::
a.
~6000
cti
u
8050ft
:e Orainhole 2 TO
Q)
> 6300
Q)
::::l
7276ft 8044ft
~ Orainhole 1 TO
Planned TO

6600

6900
7493ft Pilot TO

7200
300 o 300 600 900 1200
1500 1800 2100
11-23-1992
2400
Displacement (feet)

Figure 10
Vertical Trajectory Plot of Planned vs Actual Well Paths,
Showing Variations in Orainhole Elevations.

13 31S" at 2504'

,._..J----l'---- 31/2" tubing

Gas Lift
Mandrels
3838' and
5838'
9 SIS" at 6062'

Hydraulic
Retrievable
Packer

7"
casing to
TO at 8050'

Figure 11
Sketch of the Completion Design for VLA-1 035.
210
SEE 26334 E MARTINS, N, LAREZ and W, LESSO, JR 11

2500

2000

~
~ 1500
:::::.
.0
e
:=
o
1000
u:
500

o..L...--------+--~f_----__+_----~
3/8" 1/2" 3/4" 1"
Choke Size

Figure 12
Production Test Profile for VLA-1 035,

1600

1400

1200 oil
>-
~ 1000
...
Q)
C- 800
"tJ
'5
u: 600
-J
co 400
co
200
water
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Days Since Initial Production (Dec 92 to May 93)

Figure 13
Recent Production for VLA-1 035,

211