M I N I N G O I L & G A S A LT E R N A T I V E E N E R G Y

Volume 5 Issue 10

Risk vs Reward
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MINING OPPORTUNITIES
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Global Exploration Review

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Sherwood Copper opens Minto Mine

Geologist Greg Hawkins interview
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OIL & GAS

Radial Drilling Technology optimizes oil and gas wells

by Grace Visconti

Radial Drilling Services Inc. (RDS), which is a registered Texas Corporation for the design, manufacture, installation and provision of services related to radial drilling technology in North America and worldwide, was founded by acting President Henk Jelsma in November 2004. Carl Landers invented the radial drilling technology process and registered the patent in 1995 (Patent No. 5413184). RDS obtained a license to the technology, improved the original technology and added additional patented technologies. A wholly owned subsidiary of Radial Drilling Services was set up in Calgary, Alberta Canada as RadCan Energy Services in 2006. The operations are currently fully licensed in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Colombia. Radial Drilling Technology involves a method and apparatus for horizontal milling through the walls of a vertically extending well casing at a 90 angle to provide horizontally jetted radials into the earths strata for a substantial distance radially from the vertically extending well casing. It provides an extended perforation, or creates an ultra short radius horizontal application. The technology uses a combination of coil tubing operations, high pressure jet drilling and analytical reservoir evaluation. Originally designed for stripper wells in the US, the technology was enhanced by the RDS group in Houston and California with special focus on reliability and repeatability. Additional applications include gyro-directed acid placement, new well production optimization (in lieu of perforating), salt production
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and CO2 sequestering methods, steam injection, radial huff and puff, water disposal, injection for pressure maintenance and enhancement of water well production. Additionally, the technology is applicable to salt dome gas storage projects, water well improvement and mineral leaching processes. The process basically involves utilizing downhole mechanics and hydraulics to pull a high pressure jet hose horizontally up to 100 metres into the producing formation. Overburden combined with matrix porosity acts as a dynamic balance to the pressures exerted by the surface system resulting in a blast effect which pulverizes the formation ahead of the jet nozzle. Reverse jets provide thrust as well as a cleaning effect for the horizontal lateral. The difference between conventional drilling and radial drilling technology is that, during the primary application, it can get past the near well-bore well damage, allowing the drill to access the virgin part of the formation. Under the present technology, the system can operate reliably and repeatedly to 2,500 metres total depth. However, a recent well has been completed in March 2006 to a total depth of 3,500 metres. Lateral distances of 100 metres are standard. Four laterals are generally installed at the same depth, placed 90 apart. Additional levels can be jetted upon request. Depending on target depth, the process takes generally 2-4 days for four laterals. A key factor for the successful application of the technology is well

selection where the client provides information relating to formation type, vertical and horizontal permeability, casing design, and production history. An assessment then is made to proceed with the drilling based on this data. The radial drilling process can radically affect the entire value chain of production for any company. Benefits of this process exceed what conventional drilling offers due to its efficiency and economic nature. The main reasons to use radial drilling technology are: less wells drilled therefore increased well spacing, less surface equipment used, and less environmental impact. Also, the extended drainage radius obtained by this application results in additional recoverable reserves per well drilled. I would say most of our work is in marginal field reclamation, states Charlie Guilbeau, RDS Director of North American Operations. Well go in and do radial jetting in those wells in order to stimulate the marginal wells. End of the day incremental production is substantial and this added value in production is the key to our success as a company. In Canada alone, we have jetted carbonate reservoirs including acid wash, sandstones, heavy oil plays in Saskatchewan, and are currently involved in a coal bed methane project. Presently, only one unit is operational in Canada. Three mobile units for winterized conditions able to operate in temperatures of -35C are planned for 2008. All mobile units consist of downhole and surface equipment. Units contain all pressure,
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measuring, hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical systems required for operations. They also house the coil tubing reel and fluid pumping equipment. The unit is totally self contained and independent of outside power. The advantage of RDS and RadCan systems is that they are compact and portable. The units are truck mounted for easy road transport and infield movement. A senior operator and two operators manage the units per 12-hour shifts while four operators are required for a 24-hour schedule. The Canadian subsidiary RadCan has serviced 26 wells to date while RDS has serviced many more globally. The installations have been primarily in reservoirs containing sedimentary rocks ranging from slid carbonates to shale stringer laced sand formations. RadCan is quickly establishing a track record for themselves with clients such as EnerPlus, Encana, Nexen and TriAxon. We are building units as fast as we can because we are having trouble with supply and demand, especially in Canada. I want to have three units working in Canada by the end of 2008, explains Guilbeau. By then, Canada will be their second biggest market. There is oil, insists Guilbeau nothing is drying up as far as I know. Exploration for shale oil is next on the agenda in these four states: Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Montana. Barrels of recoverable shale oil are in the trillions and RadCans radial jetting technology is at the forefront of this exploration. By rehabilitating and optimizing oil and gas wells using this modified coiled tubing technology, radial drilling technology offers another choice to companies that have prematurely closed down wells or classified their fields as marginal and it doesnt end there. Were already working on new technologies to enhance the process, assures Guilbeau. Weve already refined a lot of the downhole mechanics as far as bits, jetting and jet nozzles. Were going to refine it further sometime next year so we should have prototypes out during that time. Radial Drilling Services Inc. and RadCan remain progressive and consistent in refining radial drilling technology for the oil and gas industry. Its benefits and results continue to challenge the peak oil theory through the rehabilitation and optimization of premature closures and marginal wells, along with their exploration of the lucrative shale oil play in their own backyard. n Grace Visconti B.A., A.O.C.A., R.G.D. is a freelance writer and Registered Graphic Designer (Toronto ON Canada Chapter) who presently resides in Calgary AB Canada. She can be reached at info@eagleheartdynamic.com.
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November 2007