Status and Prospect of Multi-Well Pad Drilling Technology in Shale Gas

Multi-well pad drilling can shorten well construction period,reduce drilling cost and substantially improve the utilization rate of resources and equipment.It has obvious technical advantages especially in the development of shale gas,a typical unconventional resources of low abundance and low grade,and has gained popularities in North America.In order to use multi-well pad techniques in China’s shale gas development as soon as possible,this paper introduced the multi-well pad drilling status worldwide,analyzed key factors influencing multi-well pad techniques’ implementation,and systematically summarized the characteristics of multi-well pad drilling.It indicates that the existing techniques,supporting facilities and downhole tools can not completely meet the demand of multi-well pad operation,and well pad operation and evaluation standards have not been defined.Therefore,it was recommended that the whole process of cost control concept should be set up,and the successful experiences in offshore drilling and tight gas reservoir factory development mode should be adapted.Meanwhile,research on specified tools and supporting techniques should be done,and well pad drilling operation standards and post drilling evaluation system should be set up.