Application of "Well Factory" Drilling Technology in the Fuling Shale Gas Field

Sinopec’s Fuling shale gas field is located in a complex mountainous environment and the pre-drilling and drilling operations are difficult and costly due to well site logistical limitations.Based on the concepts of the "well factory" process used in shale gas development abroad, and considering the terrain and the geologic and development characteristics of shale gas reservoirs in the Fuling Area, investigations into the deployment of "well factory" well patterns, well trajectory design, modification of fast-moving rigs, design of the well factory drilling process, and the design of batch operation schemewere carried out. Byresearching "well factory" technology suitable for shale gas drilling in Fuling Area was formed. Its application in Pad JY30 and JY28 showed that this technology could help increase rig operation efficiency, shorten the well construction cycle, improve the comprehensive utilization rate of resources, and reduce fluid waste discharge in Fuling Area.In addition, platform construction, drilling, completion, fracturing, well testing and production initiation were completed in the same calendar year for a typical four-well pad in the Fuling Area. All these results can provide reference for the development of other similar shale gas fields in China.