The Key Technology Analysis of Horizontal Well Drilling for Shale Gas

The exploration of shale gas was a huge systematical project.The technology of horizontal wells was one of the key technologies for shale gas exploration.Starting from the characteristic analysis of shale gas reservoirs,the benefits of horizontal wells in the shale gas development were analyzed,including better use of natural fractures of shale gases and application of post-fracture stimulation,cost-effective advantages.The key technologies for optimizing azimuth of horizontal wells,well structural design,trajectory control,drilling fluid system,drilling and completion technology and drilling bit selection were studied.Comparison shows that horizontal well should be the best choice for China's shale gas development.Due to the special characteristics of shale gas,each shale reservoir is unique;It is indicated that a set of suitable horizontal well technologies should be developed based on the domestic reservoir characteristics.Some suggestions are put forward to solve the possible problems and challenge of drilling engineering for horizontal well of China's shale gas development.