Viper Drill: Ultrashort Radius Drilling Technology for Alleviating Near-Wellbore Permeability Problems, Thompson Creek Field, Wyoming

The results of EORI’s sponsored test of Viper Drill’s ultrashort radius (USR) drilling technology could be a sound investment for Wyoming operators.

Ultrashort radius drilling technology was successfully tested in two wells (an injector and a producer) at Thompson Creek Field in northeastern Wyoming that were experiencing problems due to near-wellbore formation damage.  Both wells exhibited marked improvement in performance after the drilling of four short (<30’ long) USR laterals from each borehole, indicating that this method should be considered in other wells throughout the state that are experiencing similar problems.