Optimal and Fast Drilling Technologies for Stereoscopic Development of the Fuling Shale Gas Field

In order to further improve the recovery of the Fuling Shale Gas Field, stereoscopic development technologies, i.e. infill drilling in lower layers, appraising middle layers, and developing upper layers, were first studied and practiced. However, many problems were encountered during drilling, such as pressure system changing, serious fracturing interference, difficult anti-collision and obstacle bypassing, and the challenge of precise steering control and rate of penetration(ROP) increase. Therefore, researches on the engineering design of stereoscopic well group development, ROP increase, trajectory control based on logging while drilling(LWD), low-cost and high-performance shale drilling fluids, and long-term sealing and cementing technologies for shale gas wells were carried out, and the optimal and fast drilling technologies for stereoscopic development of the Fuling Shale Gas Field was developed, which was successfully applied in 185 wells in the field. Compared with previous wells, the ROP was increased by 25.5%, and the drilling duration was reduced by 27.8%. The optimal and fast drilling technologies for the stereoscopic development of the Fuling Shale Gas Field can serve as reference and instruction to the exploration and development of shale in other blocks in China.