Key Drilling/Completion Technologies and Development Trends in the Efficient Development of Shale Oil

In recent years, shale oil production in the United States has increased dramatically, in large part due to new features and trends in shale oil drilling/completion. In order to provide references and experiences for the efficient E & P of shale oil in China, this paper analyzes the current status of shale oil E & P at home and abroad, and introduces the key drilling/completion technologies used to boost the economical and efficient development of shale oil. The new trends include significant improvements in reservoir sweet spot evaluation and identification, the ability to extend long lateral horizontal well development, increases in high-density staged fracturing, an analytics-led geophysical-geological-reservoir-engineering integration, and engineering optimization using big data analysis. According to the challenges in the economical and efficient development of shale oil, as well as the current status of shale oil E & P in China, this paper also proposes the development directions of key shale oil drilling/completion technologies. This study suggests that the proposal of those key technologies and development directions suitable for domestic shale oil reservoirs is of great significance for the economic and efficient development of shale oil in China, and for national energy security.