Application of Horizontal Wells to a Tight-

Gas Sandstone Reservoir: A Case History

R.C.P. GuyoH, SPE, and J.P. Allen, Ranger Oil (U.K.) Ltd.
Summary
The Anglia gas field is located in the southern sector of the U.K. Con-
tinental Shelf (UKCS) in Blocks 48/18b and 48/19b. The reservoir is
contained within the Pennian Rotliegendes sandstone and is of small
to medium size by U.K. southern North Sea standards. The field is di-
vided into an east and west area with the gas initially in place distrib-
uted equally. Appraisal-drilling results indicated that the eastern por-
tion of the field exhibited good productivity, whereas wells drilled
into the western area produced at subeconomic rates. Development
studies showed that to make the field development economically vi-
able, well rates would have to be increased in the poorer western re-
gion. Conventional stimulation techniques were explored, particular-
ly hydraulic fracturing; however, these proved unsuccessful owing to
the proximity of the water leg. Attention, consequently, focused on
the then emerging technique of horizontal drilling as a means of in-
creasing well productivity. Development of a geologic model identi-
fied that the reservoir could be zoned into six reservoir units and that
to maximize productivity, placement of the well into the predomi-
nantly aeolian zones was necessary. Reservoir simulation studies
showed that a minimum 70-ft stand-off from the gas/water contact
(OWC) was required to maximize ultimate recovery. This paper de-
scribes the analysis methods used and the results of applying horizon-
tal wells in the field development and shows how, at a small cost pre-
mium, the method enabled a marginal field to be developed
successfully.
Introduction
The AngJia field was discovered in 1972 with Well 48/18b-1 , but the
follow-up appraisal well drilled on the flanks of the structure was
dry. The perceived field size and depressed gas prices delayed fur-
ther appraisal activity for 12 years until 1984. During the period
1984-89, seven additional appraisal wells were drilled, including a
3D-seismic survey, which essentially defined the current structural
interpretation. This interpretation indicated that the gas-in-place
was split equally between an eastern and western area.
Four of the appraisal wells were drilled in the west of the field, and
their average stabilized deliverability, including the discovery well,
was estimated to be 3 MMscflD/well compared with the three east-
ern wells, which had an estimated 21 MMscflD/well. It was there-
fore clear that to meet an economic threshold gas rate and to improve
recovery from the western sector, where 50% of the potential re-
serves resided, well productivity would need to be substantially im-
proved in the western sector.
During the appraisal-drilling phase, conventional stimulation
methods were used in an attempt to improve productivity. These
methods primarily centered on the technique of hydraulic fracture
stimulation. A total of five hydraulic fracture treatments, using a va-
riety of designs, were conducted. The results, however, indicated
that fracture propagation into the water could not be avoided.
Horizontal drilling was identified as a potentially cost-effective
method of improving well productivity. Extensive work into under-
standing the reservoir from both a micro- and macroscopic view-
point showed the potential to improve productivity up to commer-
ciallevels and that a full-field development using horizontal wells
was economically viable. This paper describes how the well design
was optimized through detailed reservoir description and drilling
methods. The paper continues by describing the successful imple-
Copyright 1996 Society of Petroleum Engineers
Original SPE manuscript received for review April 28. 1996. Paper peer approved May 13,
1996. Paper (SPE 35640) first presented at the 1996 Gas Technology Symposium, Calgary.
April 28-May 1.
SPE Reservoir Engineering, August 1996
mentation of horizontal wells and the influence the application of
horizontal wells has had on full-field development.
Background to Reservoir
The Anglia gas field is contained within the Permian Rotliegendes
sandstone covering approximately 6,600 acres with a gross average
thickness of some 200 ft above OWe's at 8,790 ft in the west and
8,750 ft in the east, which completely underlie their respective sides
of the field. The reservoir is a fault-bounded anticline, close to the
northwest-southeast trending Dowsing fault zone (Fig. 1). The over-
lying Zechstein evaporites form the upper seal, and the reservoir is
sourced from the underlying Carboniferous. Porosity varies between
7% and 13%, averaging 10.5%, with connate water saturation be-
tween 30 and 40%. Bulk reservoir permeability, at in-situ conditions,
is rarely more than 2 md and typically is in the range of 0.1 to 1.0 md.
The gas composition consists of approximately 96 mol% methane at
an initial reservoir pressure of 4,000 psia.
Reservoir Zonation and Rock Quality
The reservoir predominantly consists of aeolian sandstones and was
subdivided into six layers. These were defined primarily on the basis
offacies type. Zone I consisted of a highly dolomitic cemented dune
sand, regionally known as the "Weissliegend," which exhibited per-
meabilities consistently below 0.01 md. Zones 2, 4, and 6 were of
poor quality interdunelfluvial deposits with permeabilities in the
range 0.0 I to 0.5 md. Zones 3 and 5 were predominantly aeolian dune
sands exhibiting the best reservoir properties, with permeability in the
region of I md, and thus formed the primary producing intervals.
Laterally, rock quality was considered to be a function of average
gross thickness above the OWC, 300 ft in the east and 170 ft in the west,
combined with any diagenetic effects. Multivariate statistical analysis
suggested that in the eastern area secondary porosity fonned primarily
from dolomite leaching, while the western area suffered penneability
impainnent as a result of illite fonnation, although it was appreciated
that this was unlikely to form a complete geological model.
In the main productive dune sand facies, sedimentological and pet-
rographic core studies indicated that a classic aeolian depositional
structure was present. Typical crossbedding was observed with well-
defined planar or trough-bedded strata in which adjacent laminae
showed sharp grain-size differences and significant permeability
variation as evidenced by minipermeameter data (Figs. 2 and 3). The
better penneability layers are generally 2 to 5 mm thick, with the poor
penneability laminae 1 to 2 mm thick. These laminae showed an up-
wardly increasing inclination from 20 to 35. The foreset sandstone
sandwiched between horizontally laminated bottom-set beds com-
monly attains thickness of30 to 50 ft, although this does not represent
the original dune height that may have been in excess of 300 ft.
Pressure data from unstimulated well tests showed evidence of
permeability anisotropy, with apparent near-wellbore high perme-
ability decreasing away from the wellbore. Pressure analysis was
consistent with the pressure transient reaching the bottom-set beds
over the full foreset bed thickness. A comparison of late-time
test-derived permeability with core horizontal permeability and cal-
culated bulk reservoir permeability indicated a significantly im-
proved match with the latter.
Bulk reservoir permeability was calculated by using a relation-
ship derived by Weber
l
and is shown in Fig. 4. It accounts for the
effect of the dip of the crossbedding on permeability both parallel
and normal to strike of the dune slip-face. In this relationship, kH
measured is the arithmetic mean horizontal brine permeability over
net sands as calculated from core data and kv measured is the geo-
metric mean vertical brine permeability over the gross sand interval.
203

I PLATFORM
5 miles
-
Fig. 1-Anglia field, regional setting.
Core analysis had shown that the use of brine permeability data im-
proved reservoir characterization compared with conventional air
permeability data. In the Weber relationship an average dip angle of
30 achieved a good fit. These observations suggested that the pro-
ductivity of a horizontal well would have an increased element of
control from the higher horizontal core permeability in comparison
with a vertical well whose productivity would be influenced more
by the lower bulk reservoir permeability as evidenced by the pres-
sure transient response.
Appraisal-Drilling Results
Appraisal drilling consisted of eight conventionally drilled wells.
including the discovery well and one that was side-tracked. Five of
these wells were drilled into the western portion of the field. Table
1 compares the initial well-test results of all field wells. These re-
sults clearly show the much lower productivity of the wells drilled
PERMEABILITY (md)
0.1 10
10.266
(


j:J"

.,..
"'-
I..

'"
....

"""
10.267
""'I

100
I 41 md
..-

I 39md
Fig. 3-Anglia field, Well 48/19b-12 minipermeameter data.
204
Fig. 2-Anglia field, transverse dune sedimentation (after Weber
and Robinson).
in the west of the field. In particular, Well 48/18b-6 produced no
flow and even the Sidetrack We1l6z, drilled 2,000 ft to the northwest
produced at a very low rate. These data suggested that the western
area contained significant areas of low-permeability reservoir and
that the opportunity to intersect good reservoir in the western area
would be limited using conventional techniques.
Conventional Stimulation Results
Hydraulic fracture stimulation treatments were carried out on five
wells, of which four were located in the western region. These treat-
ments used a range of fluid volumes; pump rates; and proppant con-
centrations, type, and grade. Table 2 summarizes the treatments used.
The first job conducted was on Well 48/18b-3, which produced
at the highest rate of any conventional well in the western region.
Accordingly, the job size was quite conservative, particularly since
the treatment zone was relatively close to the GWC. The post-stimu-
lation results showed no increase in productivity, suggesting that to
be successful larger size treatments would be required.
A fracture treatment on Well 48/l9b-8 was conducted next; it
gained from the previous well's experience by using a larger, more
aggressive fracture design. The need for a larger job was empha-
sized by the poor unstimulated performance. Operationally, the job
was successful and post-stimulation rates were substantially im-
DUNE BASE
DUNE TOP
DUNE BASE
Cos' (X SlO'a

kHB = /R
pl
Rps
Fig. 4-Anglia field, bulk reservoir horizontal permeability,
SPE Reservoir Engineering. August 1996
48/18b 48/19b 48/19c
481 18b3
481181>-10
- .. ' ~ ,
-
-.'"''
~ Z , .0-
481 19b-6
48/lab-6
-
--
.c8119bt2
481 18b2
4B/18c
Fig. 5-Anglia field, dips in aeolian units in Zone 3.
proved, as shown in Table 2. The gas rate showed a significant im-
provement, both in terms of rate and pressure. However, 1,450
BWPD was also produced, which would create a significant water-
handling problem on future production facilities. Conceptual facili-
ties design had identified that a simple wellhead platform, with only
test separation would be required to meet export specification; thus,
large water volumes could not be tolerated without changing the ba-
sic minimal facility concept.
Following these results, it was evident that prevention of fracture
propagation into the water leg was paramount. Accordingly, work
was undertaken to review the mechanics of fracture propagation.
Particular importance was placed on the identification of minimum
horizontal stress. Core and log data were reviewed in an attcmpt to
build a stress profile. This study showed that while a significant bar-
rier to fracture propagation existed at the top of the reservoir in the
form of the caprock (the overlying "Kupferschiefer" and Zechstein
evaporites), a significant barrier did not exist below, as the underly-
ing Carboniferous was below the field GWc.
Well 48/l8b-6 was drilled next but encountered an extremely
tight interval and failed to flow on test. A hydraulic fracture treat-
ment was designed that incorporated the experience gained from the
TABLE 1-APPRAISAL WELL-TEST RESULTS
Rate THP
Sector Well Date (MMscf/D) (psia)
West 48/18b-1 Feb. 1972 6.0 1,057
West 48/18b-3 Nov. 1984 6.9 2,040
West 48/18b-8 Jan. 1987 3.7 250
West 48/18b-6 Oct. 1987 No flow -
West 48/18b-6z Jan. 1988 1.6 479
East 48/19b-7 Oct. 1985 18.8 1,977
East 48/19b-10 Feb. 1988 23.6 2,169
East 48/19b-12 Feb. 1989 12.0 1,193
preceding work by trying to maximize fracture dimensions while
minimizing the propensity to propagate downwards. To meet these
criteria, a small but aggressively constructed job was implemented
where fluid volume was minimized and sand concentration maxi-
mized. However, the job screened out during pumping with only
half the treatment complete. Post -treatment performance showed a
slight improvement but was insufficient to meet commercial rates.
The well was subsequently side tracked, and while unstimulated
productivity improved compared with the original well, the level
was still below an economic threshold. Consequently, another frac-
ture job was performed that used only a slightly larger proppant vol-
ume but with twice the size of fluid volume. Postfracture perfor-
mance revealed an improvement; however, this was again
associated with large water volumes, clearly showing the fracture
had once again propagated into the water leg.
A further stimulation treatment was performed on Well 48/l9b-12
following the failure of an acid job to remove skin damage (caused
by earlier well operations). The fracture treatment was successful in
returning the well to predamaged productivity, without incurring wa-
ter production problems; however, the improvement was insufficient
to suggest that the method could be applied fieldwide.
These data strongly suggested that a fracture treatment successful
in meeting the criteria for producti vity improvement and that stayed
within the gas zone would be extremely elusive and unable to form
a basis on which to commit to field development.
Well Planning and Reservoir Considerations
The foregoing results made it apparent that alternative means of im-
proving well productivity were required. Accordingly a detailed
study of available information was undertaken, resulting in detailed
feasibility planning for a horizontal well beginning in 1988.
2
Review of the geological model identified that optimum productivity
would be gained by maximizing the horizontal displacement within the
aeolian dominated Zones 3 and 5. Clearly, to achieve this, good struc-
tural control would be required. However, while the top structure was
reasonably well defined by a 3D seismic survey, lateral variation in
zonal thickness could only be predicted with confidence near known
data points (i.e., existing wells). Although geosteering could help well
orientation, complete confidence could not be put into this technique
because of the lack of petrophysical contrast between layers.
Review of western region well data showed that Zones 3 and 5
were best developed in the areas of Wells 48/l8b-l and 48/l8b-3.
These two areas had the added benefit of being in the structurally
highest position in the western area. This offered the greatest oppor-
tunity for the maximum standoff from the GWC in Zones 3 and 5,
while minimizing any eccentricity effects. Work described in Ref.
2 had shown that centralization of the well within the vertical section
of the reservoir had a positive effect on ultimate recovery.
Consideration was next given to well orientation and two criteria
were important in this regard: orientation of the well tn maximize
long-term productivity and the well's surface location.
Reservoir dipmeter data (Fig. 5) had shown that the foreset bed strike
was essentially north-south, requiring an optimal east-west orientation
for the well. Additionally, because the well was intended to be sus-
pended for future production, its surface location needed to be placed
in a position from which development wells could be drilled. Develop-
ment studies had shown a common surface location was required to
TABLE 2-HVDRAULIC FRACTURE TREATMENT SUMMARIES
Rate
Maximum Proppant Postfracture
Fluid Volume Proppant Weight Concentration Test Rate
Well (gal) (bbl/min) (Ibm) Proppant Type (Ibm/gal) (MMscflO at psia)
48/18b-3 100,000 23 50,000 20/40 sand 4 4.0 at 1,945
48/18b-8 190,000 25 312,000 20/40 sand 8.4 22.0 at 1,190
+ 16/20 interprop +1,450 BWPD
48/18b-8 44,000 15 114,000 20/40 sand 10 0.16 at 41
+ 16/20 interprop
48/18b-8z 99,000 20 140,000 20/40 sand 5 4.6 at 176
+ 20/40 interprop +500 BWPD
SPE Reservoir Engineering, August 1996 205
Fig. 6-Anglia field, surface and bottomhole well locations.
minimize development cost. This indicated that if the well was to be
drilled with a constant azimuth (required to minimize potential drilling
problems), a surface location positioned centrally between Wells
48/18b-l and 48118b-3 was optimum, as shown in Fig. 6.
Well 48/18b-3 was selected as the preferred target because it of-
fered the best well data, in particular, a fully cored interval and thus
improved identification of Zones 3 and 5. It also provided the best
opportunity for comparison between conventional and horizontal
well results and thus the ability to apply these results fieldwide.
A cross section along the prognosed well path is shown in Fig. 7.
Core data from Well 48118b-3 indicated that optimum well design
would be to intersect the maximum horizontal displacement within
Zone 5, ensuring that a minimum 70-ft standoff from the OWC was
maintained. Seismic mapping identified minor faulting along the well
path, which increased the opportunity to intersect Zone 5. Potential
water movement up these minor faults was considered unlikely.
On the basis of this cross section and perceived drilling limits, a
2,500-ft horizontal section was planned. To justify the drilling of the
well, an approximation to the planned well was modeled with a 3D
rectilinear reservoir simulation model using core data from the Well
48118b-3. Permeability was modeled both normal and parallel to
foreset bedding strike. A target rate of 30 MMscflD against a tubing-
head pressure (THP) of 450 psia was set with either a 3-MMscflD
or IS-year cutoff point. Sensitivity to vertical permeability was
modeled using kv = 0.1 md and kv = 0.0 I md. The effects of grid-
block geometry were checked to ensure that errors caused by grid
dimensions were not introduced.
The results of the model predictions are shown in Figs. 8 and 9 and
show the considerable benefit of horizontal wells and the significance
of well orientation, particularly for the low-vertical-permeability
case, which shows the horizontal well parallel to strike having poorer
performance than the vertical well. These results were scaled up to
represent the full-field performance for the western area and showed
that eight vertical unstimulated wells would be required to maintain
plateau rate, at an average well cost of$8 million/well compared with
Kv = 0.1 Kh
4.0
0.0
0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 14.0
YEARS
Fig. 8-AngJia field, horizontal well model study.
206
WNW
0000
2500ft HORIZONTAl. SECTION AT B72OfI ..
48118b-3

CJ 1-ligh pellT1eabiity sands at base of Zone 3 and top of Zone 5
ESE
...., ....
eo..
PTnorMIdlily
l(aIr(lrlOl
, 'GO
0.1 10 I(X)O
Fig. 7-AngJia field, prognosed cross section along Well
48/18b-9.
three horizontal wells at an estimated $10 million/well. This analysis
clearly demonstrated the economic viability of horizontal wells.
Well Design
The well down to the base of the l2'/ 4-in. hole was designed like any
standard deviated well in the UKCS Southern basin. The uncertain-
ty of length and composition of the evaporite section in the Zech-
stein group (a typical UKCS Southern basin geological section is
shown in Fig. 10) made it impossible to predict build rates accurate-
ly in this interval. It was therefore decided to build angle in the anhy-
drite/dolomite sequence at the base of the Zechstein group and in the
Rotliegendes where build rate could be controlled more accurately.
Therefore, it was decided that 95fs-in. casing would be set in the
Werraanhydrite at a well deviation of approximately 40 and final
build would be achieved in the 8Vz-in. hole section.
The proposed buildup started at 6,975 ft rotary table total vertical
depth (TVD) and finished at the start of the horizontal section at
8,855 ft, with programmed build rates of up to 4.5/100 ft in the
12V4-in. hole and up to 7/100 ft in the 8
'
/2-in. section.
A fulllogging-while-drilling program was planned to be run, pro-
viding real-time neutron, density, resitivity, gamma ray. weight on
bit (WOH), torque. direction, and inclination at the toolface
throughout the build section of the 8 'iz-in. hole and horizontal sec-
tion. The planned horizontal displacement was 2,500 ft with a
15-ft tolerance window in the vertical plane. The prognosed verti-
cal drilling plot is shown in Fig. 11.
The well was completed with a 5Vz-in. predrilled, uncemented
liner, crossed over to a 7-in. liner with tieback packer and polished
bore receptacle seal assembly set in the 95/8-in. casing. External cas-
ing packers would provide annulus isolation between the formation
and 9
5
/g-in. casing shoe. The competency of the formation was con-
sidered sufficient not to warrant sand screens.
Kv = 0.D1 Kh
28.0
- - - Vertical w ~
24.0
Horizontalweil,
Nonnallo Laminae strike
0
20.0
. HorizonlalwelI,
u..
()
Parailellolaminaestrike
rfJ
16.0
:;
:;
12.0
B.O
4.0 - .:
,
0.0
0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 14.0
YEARS
Fig. 9-AngJia field, horizontal well study model.
SPE Reservoir Engineering, August 1996
PERIOD
EARLY CRETACEOUS
CROMER KNOLL GROUP
LATE JURASSIC
HUMBER GROUP
MIDDLE JURASSIC WEST SOUE GROUP
FORMATION (FM)
SPEtTON CLAYFM:
SPILSBY SANDSTONE FM.
KIMMERIDGE CLAY FM.
LITHOLOGY
. ............ .
. . . . . . . , . . . , . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1-__
UIf
_
PI
'E_I!:n.l_J.S'_G1\_<lU_l<_--+ ___________ -l---:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-
MIDDLE LIAS GROUP
EARLY JURASSIC
f---------\-----------..r-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-
LOWER LIAS GROUP
(RHAETIC)
MIDLATE TRIASSIC
HAISBOROUGH GROUP
EARLY TRIASSIC BACTON GROUP'
LATE PERMIAN
ZECHSTEIN
EARLY PERMIAN ROTLIEGENDES GROUP
CARBONIFEROUS (WE STPHALlAN)
WINTERTON FORMATION
TRITON ANHYDRITIC FM
DUDEON
SALIFEROUS
FORMATION
DOWSING DOLOMITIC FM.
BUNTER SANDSTONE FM.
BUNTER SHALE FM.
Z4
Z3
SEE NOTE
BELOW
Z2
Zl
LEMAN SANDSTONE FM.
BARREN RED MEASURES
--------
Sandstone
Claystone/Siltstone
Anhydrite
1:-:-:-::-:-:-::::1
F----------1
Z4 Grenzanhydnt Z2 Deckanhydrit
Dolomite
Halite/Polyhalite
IZZZI
t I i It!
III I I III
Z3
Aller Halite
Pegmatitanhydrit
Roter Salnon
Leine Halite
Hauptanhydrit
Platlendolomit
Grauer Salzton
Stassfurt Halite
Basalanhydrit
Hauptdolomit
Z1 Werraanhydrit
Zechsteinkalk
Kupferschiefer
All or part of Bacton Grouptaulted out in Graben area which overlies the e n m ~ pation at the AngIia Field
Fig. 10-Anglia field, generalized stratigraphic column.
Well 48/18b-9 Results
The vertical section of the well was drilled without significant prob-
lems, however build rate proved difficult in the 12'/4-in. section.
This was the result of a much thicker Halite section causing a con-
siderable reactive torque and reducing WOB. Build rates of only
1.6/100 ft were achieved. Although changes to the bottomhole as-
sembly were made to enable more 81fz-in. section to make up hole
angle, the 9
5
/
8
-in. casing was run higher in the Werraanhydrite than
originally planned.
Drilling proceeded into the reservoir; however, it became in-
creasingly difficult to deliver WOB and build angle. The measure-
ment-while-drilling (MWD) sensors were removed, with the excep-
tion of the gamma ray, in an attempt to improve flow rate and
drillstring flexibility to facilitate sliding of the drill string in the ori-
ented mode. This proved unsuccessful, and a more aggressive build
assembly, incorporating an eccentric housing motor, was run. Ac-
cordingly, build rates increased to 11 1100 ft and the horizontal
plane was reached within 3 ft TVD of the target and 200 ft closer to
the surface location than planned.
SPE Reservoir Engineering, August 1996
The first 1,048 ft of horizontal hole was drilled with one bit at an av-
erage rate of penetration of 25 ftlhr. The next 814 ft proved very abra-
sive and required six bits. The last 1,036 ft was drilled with a single bit
but required a bottomhole-assembly change to stop a tendency to drop
angle. Drilling continued until it was prognosed that the well had drilled
out of the most permeable sections. A total of 2,940 ft of horizontal sec-
tion was drilled, which was a UKCS record at that time.
3
The actual vertical drilling plot for the lower section is shown in
Fig. 12, and the cross section along the well path is shown in Fig.
13. This diagram shows the success that was achieved in maximiz-
ing the well's intersection in Zone 5.
The well trajectory indicates an element of geosteering was ac-
complished by correlating the MWD gamma ray with the geological
zonation. Final TD logging was accomplished with drillpipe-con-
veyed logging tools. The well was drilled with a standard 70/30 oil-
based mud, and no hole cleaning or torque or drag problems were
encountered when drilling or tripping. A policy ofbackreaming and
washing while pulling out of hole minimized any hole fill or cuttings
buildup problems. Drilling operations including setting TD liner
207
6000
7000
g
.c
a
21
iii
j
..
::I
8000
{=
9000
KOP = kickoff point
BUR = build up rate
DIR = Directional bearing
6380 Top Zechstein Group MD = 6380.00
64BO l T13 'I: Casing MD = 8480
6975
063
KOP BUR = 2.5/1ooft MD = 6975
3.13
5.63
7373
8.13
7376
10.01 BUR = 0.03/10Oft MD = 7375
10.04 Top Plattendolomit MD = 7378
10.07
7800
8135
\.75
8400
388.21_36.1:5439.54 Hold 39.51 Degs MD = 8477
8438 420.04-- 44.68 BUR = 7.00l100ft MD = 8527
8588 581.97-- S}.68 Hold 55.0 Degs MD = 8748
8662
654 BUR = 7.00/1 ooOft MD = 8878
8761 877.71
3.50
S.42 Hold
8855 1280.33 9508
1000 1500
Vertical Section DIR = 282.65
Fig. 11-Anglia field, prognosed vertical plot for Well 48/18b-9.
were prognosed to take 56 days compared with an actual 60 days.
A problem was encountered with the setting of the external casing
packers, and these were left uninflated.
The well was tested for a total of 7 days and produced at a rate of
35 MMscflD at a THP of 2,400 psia, the highest recorded of all Anglia
wells. This compares extremely favorably with the nearby Well
48118b-3, which tested at 7.0 MMscflD at 2,500 psia THP and repre-
sents an approximate five-fold increase in productivity. It is estimated
that the incremental cost for this well compared with a vertical equiv-
alent was between 30% and 40%.
Field Development
On the basis of this success, a major change to the development plan
was made and commitment to full-field development undertaken.
The development plan was altered because of the recognition that
the western region could now be developed with three horizontal
wells and not the eight conventional wells initially envisaged. The
facility design was reviewed and the conclusion drawn that a more
cost-effective development would be by means of subsea tieback to
the platform installed in the eastern area, as opposed to two plat-
forms. Additional benefit would be gained by developing the west
in a phased manner to maintain plateau production and thereby
minimize the initial capital expenditure.
The development drilling campaign in the eastern area was also
changed, whereby, instead of simply recompleting Appraisal Well
48119b-12, the well was sidetracked horizontally. The well was com-
pleted with 3,588 ft of horizontal displacement. The philosophy used
in the planning and execution of the well was similar to Well
48118b-9. In this instance, the requirement to drill the well in an east-
west orientation was dropped owing to the relative locations of the
platform and bottomhole location. Fortunately, dipmeter data for the
well suggested the well would be less sensitive to orientation.
The original well produced 12 MMscflD at a THP of 1,400 psia
on test compared with 35 MMscflD at 2,700 psia THP for the side-
tracked horizontal well, confirming the successful application of the
technique to the Anglia field. The field came on production in Dec.
1991 from five wells drilled in the eastern portion of the field, fol-
208
24S
7000
'"
1.61
"66
Ul
2.23
g
18000
07'
""
:;
j

12120
9000-
1000 2000 :lOOO 4000
Vertkel Section CIR a 282.85
Fig. 12-Anglia field, actual vertical plot for Well 48/28b-9 (lower
hold section).
lowing development approval in Oct. 1990. This included the side-
tracked horizontal well of Well 48119b-12, subsequently renamed
Well A3z ,which proved to be the most prolific in the field.
The western sector of the field was brought into production in
Nov. 1993 following the recompletion of Horizontal Well 48118b-9,
renamed Well B 1. This was supplemented in the western area by
another horizontal well, Well 48/J8b-B2, which was drilled and
completed in Nov. 1994. This well was drilled from the same surface
location as Well 48118b-9 using the same methodology as before,
but toward Discovery Well 48/18b-I , thus maintaining the east -west
orientation. It was completed with 3,500 ft of horizontal displace-
ment, with the inclusion of sand screens in the final completion.
These were included because sand production had been observed
from some of the existing wells, although not from any of the hori-
zontal wells. The field is currently producing from seven wells of
which three are horizontal wells.
Future development wells are being reviewed as horizontal
completions, and the use of multilaterals is under serious consider-
ation as a way to optimize the continuing field development further.
Conclusions
In addition to the primary outcome of moving a marginal field de-
velopment into a significant economic success by the application of
horizontal wells a number of other conclusions can be drawn.
1. Horizontal wells can be drilled into the Rotliegendes formation
without significant problems.
2. The technique has been successful in improving productivity
by a factor of five, particularly in the tighter western sector.
3. The success of the method has enabled the field development
plan to be optimized, providing further economic gains.
4. A detailed reservoir description, which used the skills of an in-
tegrated, multidisciplinary team, was instrumental in the success.
5. The success of hydraulic fracturing is compromised when ap-
plied close to a water leg and where a significant barrier to fracture
propagation is absent.
Nomenclature
kH = horizontal permeability, L2, md
kHB = bulk reservoir horizontal permeability, L2, md
kHmeas = measured horizontal permeability, L2, md
kPL = permeability parallel to laminae, L2, md
kps = permeability perpendicular to strike, L2, md
kv = vertical permeability, L2, md
kVmeas = measured vertical permeability, L2, md
a = dip angle of laminae, degrees
SPE Reservoir Engineering, August 1996
DEPTH
FEET
(lVDSS)
8400
8500
8600
8700
8800
8900
9000
48/18b3
iO
P
AOT\...IE.GENDES
1
FAULT
POSSIBLE
MINOR FAULT
(from seismic)
48/18b9
DEPTH
FEET
(TVDSS)
8400
_ __ --Jr-_____ f-'---_18500
8800
8900
9000
Fig. 13-Anglla field, actual cross sectin along Well 48/18b-9.
Acknowledgments
We thank the management of Ranger Oil (U.K.) Ltd. and its partners
Amerada Hess Ltd. and Santos Europe Ltd. for permission to pub-
lish this paper. The techniques and conclusions expressed are those
of the authors only. In addition the assistance provided by Ranger
Oil (U.K.) Ltd.'s Production Business Unit is also appreciated.
References
I. Weber, K.J.: "Computation oflnitial Well Productivities in Aeolian Sand
stone on the Basis of a Geological Model," Soc. of Economic Palaeontolo
gists & Mineralogists (1987).
2. Mills, D.K.N.: "The Feasibility of Horizontal Wells in the Development
of a Southern North Sea Gas Field," MS thesis, Imperial College, U. of
London (I988).
3. Reynolds D.A. and Seymour K.P.: "Horizontal Drilling in the Anglia Gas
Field," paper presented at the 1990 Fourth Annual Offshore Drilling
Technology Conference, Aberdeen.
SI Metric Conversion Factors
bbl x 1.589 873
ft x 3.048*
ft
3
x 2.831 685
gal x 3.785412
in. x 2.54*
SPE Reservoir Engineering, August 1996
E-OI =m
3
E-Ol =m
E-02 =m
3
E-03 =m
3
E+OO =cm
Ibm x 4.535 924
md x 9.869 233
mile x 1.609 344*
psi x 6.894757
Conversion factor is exact.
E-OI =kg
E-04 =.um2
E+OO =km
E+OO =kPa
SPERE
Russell C.P. Guyatt is engineering manager in the Technical Ser-
vices Group of Ranger 011 U.K. Ltd. based in Guildford, Surrey. He
joined Ranger in 1984 and has worked in a variety of reservoir
and operations engineering roles, including that of Anglia field
asset manager. Previously, he was with British Gas for 4 years. He
holds a BS degree in mining engineering from Leeds U. John P.
Allen is a senior reservoir engineer with Ranger based in Guild
ford, Surrey. He joined the company in 1987 following 5 years
with Shell IntI. U.K. and has worked in various areas, including
testing engineering, petrophysics, field appraisal, and develop-
ment. He holds a BS degree in mathematic from Leeds U.
Guyatt Allen
209