Multiple Lateral Junctions to Access Unconventional Reservoirs
Approved for funding in ERA’s Natural Gas Challenge funding call in 2020, Modern Wellbore Solutions deployed their Multilateral Junction Tool Assembly that reduces emissions by enabling lateral junctions rather than requiring separate wells. By completion in 2023 the project demonstrated full-scale deployment of the tool allowing Oil & Gas operators to access unconventional reservoirs via multi-branched wells at a lower cost.
Modern Wellbore Solutions has developed a Multilateral Junction Tool Assembly (MJTA) for Oil and Gas producers to drill and operate multilateral wells in unconventional assets. The tool enables multiple laterals to be drilled from a single vertical fracking well, enhancing reservoir access at a lower cost, allowing more efficient drainage of reservoirs, and reducing environmental impact and costs. This technology can be applied to new and existing wellbores and reduces the number of required vertical wells, thereby lowering emissions from diesel-powered drill rigs and fugitive emissions over time. The tool requires less time and equipment to construct and less artificial lift and maintenance per well, which aims to reduce CapEx and operating costs.
Multilateral Junction Tool Pilot Resulted in Cost Savings
During the project, the technology was developed to be more field-ready, reliable, and effectively reduced drill time and associated fugitive emissions with a single wellhead for multilegged cased well. Due to minimal data collection project greenhouse gas emission reductions were lower than expected, however the tool offers direct cost savings with each junction installation. The project determined 20-30% CapEx reduction for the drilling and completion activities, and operating costs reduction of over 10% during production of the wellbore. Development of new partnerships during the project, discovered the tool’s benefit in different reservoir formations. Additionally, the project helped create a one-of-a-kind test bench in Alberta for prototype tools to develop Modern and other companies’ technology to commercialization.
What’s next?
The project saw 3 field installations leading to near-commercial technology. The last pilot of the project was very successful for Modern’s partner and are in talks to run another tool later in 2024. Modern is seeking other companies to run the tool and working on improvements to make the tool reliable in deep high-pressure formations.