Technical study on horizontal coalbed methane wells in high dip strata in the Urumqi Mining Area

Abstract:

The Zhunnan Coalfield Mining Area in Urumqi is the key area of coalbed methane exploration in Xinjiang Region. Compared with conventional cluster wells, horizontal wells have been used more and more in coalbed methane exploration due to its benefits of low cost and good yield-increasing effect. However, the Urumqi Mining Area has the characteristics of high dip and complex structured target coal seams. So it is necessary to optimize and adapt the horizontal well drilling technology to the local geological characteristics. In light of the horizontal well construction characteristics, research has been conducted on wellbore instability mechanism, low harm drilling fluid systems, and the optimization design of wellbore structure; and field tests were carried out with good effects.