 As new and veteran operators attempt to capitalize on the economic productivity of the Cotton Valley reservoir utilizing horizontal drilling techniques, Brammer Engineering is proud to share its history of success and experience as this historic natural gas play continues to develop. Since managing our first Cotton Valley horizontal well in 2007, Brammer Engineering has drilled over 200 Cotton Valley horizontal wells, and we can confidently say we have successfully increased drilling performance while lowering drilling costs. We have provided our full array of services on this type well for multiple clients, so we are well-versed in all phases of developing and producing your Cotton Valley prospect.
A few of the challenges faced in drilling Cotton Valley horizontals include location selection, drilling through intermediate formations that can either be depleted or over-pressured by offset saltwater injection, maintaining build rates through shale stringers, steering through highly abrasive sandstone while avoiding shale stringers, and reducing unnecessary trips for failed tools, worn bits, or washouts. Overcoming these challenges requires teamwork, communication, an open mind willing to try new techniques, and dedication to reducing drilling days and costs.
Optimum location selection allows for effective well spacing with minimal footprint enlargement on a single pad to accommodate multiple wells (including one 9 well pad). We have also frequently utilized "back builds" so that more economically feasible locations can be selected while also increasing lateral length through directional design and overcoming unit boundary restrictions. Thanks to a very professional and efficient land and regulatory staff who were always two steps ahead of us, we were able to utilize spudder rigs to pre-set surface casing which also aids in cost reduction (although a lesser savings advantage in the current market). Through extensive research and offset evaluation we identified potential hazards and applied sound engineering strategies to minimize potential remedial days. Continuous evaluation of BHA performance and design through these shallower zones has consistently produced single bit runs from the drill out of surface to the kick off point (as deep as 10,000' MD) even though the majority of the wells required shallow directional work to maximize lateral length. Monitoring vibration, modifying drill pipe design, and fine tuning drilling practices have reduced unnecessary trips and subsequent days. Bit and directional tool evaluation and selection have consistently enhanced runs through the curve and part of the lateral, currently holding a record 7,532' bit run in the lateral. Changes in hole sizes, casing designs, and reducing friction in the lateral have resulted in better hole stability, increased lateral length (up to 8,400'), and decreased drilling days.
Developing skills and experience to produce these positive drilling results took significant engineering management and planning coupled with excellent wellsite supervision expertise and service industry performance. Understanding the formation characteristics, utilizing lessons learned through shared experience, and implementing new technology have driven Cotton Valley horizontal drilling performance to be increasingly efficient, economical and productive.
Drilling Cotton Valley horizontals has become a key expertise of Brammer Engineering using our committed team of professionals for multiple clients in the Ark-La-Tex. We look forward to continuing to put this expertise to work for our current and future customers.
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