Development of Probabilistic-Statistical Models for Predicting the the Trajectory of Horizontal Wells in a Reservoir

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Abstract

At present, when planning horizontal wells, there are a number of uncertainties associated with the accuracy of the forecast of reservoir propagation along the wellbore of a horizontal section, which largely determines the feasibility of drilling horizontal wells. The problem is particularly relevant in the context of the constant deterioration of the structure of residual oil reserves. Ultimately, the technical and economic success of drilling depends on the accuracy of this forecast. Forecasting the distribution of reservoirs along the length of a horizontal section, based only on geological modeling, does not always allow to reliably determine this value. Improving the accuracy of the forecast of trajectory in the reservoir is possible through the use of additional geological information characterizing the presence of a reservoir in the horizontal wellbore. To solve this problem, it is most appropriate to use probabilistic statistical methods. In this paper, it is proposed to use the probability of the presence of a reservoir in a horizontal wellbore (Pres), which is defined as the ratio of the penetration along the reservoir (Lres, m) to the total length of the horizontal wellbore (Lhor, m). Geological indicators that determine the presence of a reservoir in a horizontal wellbore are the coefficients of sandiness (Ks), dissection (Kdis) and effective oil-saturated formation thickness (HEff). Based on actual data, multivariate statistical models for predicting the values of Lres. were constructed. The models were developed based on data from 471 horizontal wells drilled in the Volga-Ural and Timan-Pechora oil and gas provinces. This approach makes it possible to more accurately predict the value of Pres, which can be used in planning production drilling of horizontal wells and reduces the risks of drilling inefficient wells, improves the quality of design solutions, and, consequently, increases the technical and economic indicators of the asset.

Keywords

horizontal wellmulti-level probability modelprobability of reservoir presencecontact with reservoirsandiness coefficientsdissectioneffective oil-saturated formation thickness

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Published
24 October 2025
Issue date
24 October 2025
Issue
Vol. 25, No. 3 (2025)
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