Experimental study on applying the vertical well rig to drill SAGD wells with small vertical depth

Steam assisted gravity drainage technology (SAGD) is one of the most important methods to produce super heavy oils. And in order to reduce the production cost, the oblique rig is replaced with the vertical well rig to drill SAGD wells with small vertical depth. The difficulties of applying the vertical well rig to drill SAGD wells with small vertical depth were analyzed from the aspects of sharing-wellhead casing program, kicking off in the shallow formations, hole trajectory control, drilling fluid property and hole extension, and running string. Then the corresponding key technologies and solutions were put forward. And actual drilling test was carried out at Xinjiang Drilling Test Base of China Oilfield Services Limited. It is indicated that replacing the oblique rig with the vertical well rig to drill SAGD wells with small vertical depth is feasible and effective. This method provides the technical support for the drilling of SAGD well groups with the target layer of small vertical depth and the operation of similar wells.