How Far Can Horizontal Drilling Reach?

Horizontal drilling can be a good option for projects where it may be difficult or impossible to drill straight down. This can allow you to reach destinations that may have been previously unavailable and open up new possibilities for future projects.

Horizontal drilling is a fairly recent development in drilling technology—it’s been popular for only the past 10 years or so. How far can you drill horizontally in Roseville, CA? While new technologies and innovations still continue to advance the industry, estimates right now have placed the longest horizontal wells at six to eight miles long.

How does horizontal drilling work?

Horizontal drilling, sometimes called directional drilling, is a way to drill underground and reach a destination that is not directly beneath the drilling site. This requires not only the proper machinery, but also a well-trained crew of operators.

In the planning stages of a horizontal drilling operation, entry and exit sites are chosen first. Then a route is planned out that avoids any obstacles like pipes or utility lines underground.

Once drilling begins, the drill head is guided using a tracking beacon. A designated tracker on the crew will monitor depth and position during operation. Drilling fluid is used to clean the well as it’s being drilled and is removed with a vacuum excavator. Finally, the well is enlarged using a back reamer.

Why use horizontal drilling?

When it comes to drilling, horizontal drilling can be more efficient than the alternative, especially in oil drilling. While vertical drilling may be less expensive, horizontal drilling can reach destinations away from the drilling site, giving expanded flexibility to a project. Here are some reasons to consider horizontal drilling:

• Install utilities: Traditionally, the installation of utility services like gas, electricity or telecommunications requires a lot of digging above the installation route. In instances where that is not possible, or where it would be cost prohibitive to do so, horizontal drilling may be a good option.
• Difficult destinations: Sometimes the location you’re trying to reach is under a residential area, preserved land or otherwise unapproachable space. Since horizontal drilling can reach destinations up to eight miles away, it can still be possible to drill to those areas without being directly above them.
• Fractured reservoirs: Reservoirs sometimes have pore spaces that take the form of fractures. To allow for the free flow of gas, the exploration must penetrate those fractures. With horizontal drilling, the maximum number of fractures can be intersected, allowing the reservoir to be more productive.
• Wide drainage area: Horizontal drilling can reduce the footprint of gas and oil exploration on an area of land. This is done by using one drilling pad for a broad area. For example, one main well can have multiple branches heading off to target fields.

If you’ve got a project that requires horizontal drilling in Roseville, CA and want to understand the limits of this technology, call Es7 Comm-2 U, Inc. to learn more about how we do our jobs. We look forward to speaking with you!

Categorised in: Horizontal Drilling

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