From Obstacles to Opportunities: Unlocking the Power of Customized Multilateral Solutions

Abstract The continuous advancement of multilateral completion technology has significantly transformed the oil and gas sector. It has enabled access to reservoirs, resulting in a substantial influence on production capacity. However, the challenges faced when drilling a multilateral well need to be understood and addressed. This paper will outline such challenges and provide insights into how these were overcome to achieve the desired goals. The efficacy of the Multilateral selective lateral access window has been demonstrated over the past few decades. It has allowed successful identification of reservoir problems and implementation of necessary measures based on obtained data. However, drilling the multilateral and deploying the technology in a challenging formation required extensive planning. The technology required a TAML-4 junction in a formation that encountered heavy losses. This necessitated further planning, such as adjusting the length of the liner and performing off-bottom cementing. All whilst ensuring the lower completion, featuring inflow control devices (ICDs), could be run unhindered. TAML level 4 junctions require precise planning, orientation, and access. The integrity of the formation is at risk if the liner is not set in the predetermined depth and pumping the cement is not performed precisely. Therefore, the formation where the window will be cut must be consolidated and free of losses. However, if the formation needs to be drilled in an unconsolidated formation with losses expected to be faced while drilling, some engineering solutions must be implemented to ensure the integrity of the formation is not compromised. Identifying the loss zones and the ability to cure or avoid them are key to the success of the operation. Furthermore, the design and procedures can be customized to ensure success. Ultimately, the features of the junction cannot be compromised, and the junction must be of high quality to facilitate further well operations over the life of the well. This paper will focus on the recent developments in multilateral completion technology, with a special emphasis on the capability to customize the solutions to achieve the objectives of the well.