Optimization design of the initial segment of a branch of herringbone horizontal branch wells

With the development of oil exploration and development, herringbone branch wells have been more and more widely used, which makes higher demands for the herringbone design of the branch wells. In the design of the herringbone horizontal branch wells, the form of the initial branch section is related to the column re-entry, accumulation of debris, and the stability of the connection between main hole and the branch. Therefore, it is particularly important to the optimizate the initial segment of a branch in the herringbone horizontal branch well design is particularly important. This paper analyzed the factors impacting the design of the initial branch segment of herringbone horizontal branch wells. By the study on the length of the initial branch segment, different tool face angle, and the build-up rate, the design of the initial segment of the branch is optimized, and the initial design requirements of the branch length and the range of tool face angle are given. The research may give some valuable reference to the herringbone horizontal branch wells design.