Directional drilling is defined as the practice of controlling the direction and deviation of a wellbore to a predetermined underground target or location. This section describes why directional drilling is required, the sort of well paths that are used, and the tools and methods employed to drill those wells.

Applications of directional drilling
Listed are some of the major applications of directional drilling:

Multiple wells from a single location

Field developments, particularly offshore and in the Arctic, involve drilling an optimum number of wells from a single platform or artificial island. Directional drilling has helped by greatly reducing the costs and environmental impact of this application.

Inaccessible surface locations

A well is directionally drilled to reach a producing zone that is otherwise inaccessible with normal vertical-drilling practices. The location of a producing formation dictates the remote rig location and directional-well profile. Applications like this are where “extended-reach” wells are most commonly drilled.

Multiple target zones

A very cost-effective way of delivering high production rates involves intersecting multiple targets with a single wellbore. There are certain cases in which the attitudes (bed dips) of the producing formations are such that the most economical approach is a directional well for a multiple completion. This is also applicable to multiple production zones adjacent to a fault plane or beneath a salt dome.

Sidetrack

This technique may be employed either to drill around obstructions or to reposition the bottom of the wellbore for geological reasons. Drilling around obstructions, such as a lost string of pipe, is usually accomplished with a blind sidetrack. Oriented sidetrack is required if a certain direction is critical in locating an anticipated producing formation.

Fault drilling

It is often difficult to drill a vertical well through a steeply inclined fault plane to reach an underlying hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Instead, the wellbore may be deflected perpendicular or parallel to the fault for better production. In unstable areas, a wellbore drilled through a fault zone could be at risk because of the possibility of slippage or movement along the fault. Formation pressures along fault planes may also affect hole conditions.

Salt-dome exploration

Producing formations can be found under the hard, overhanging cap of salt domes. Drilling a vertical well through a salt dome increases the possibility of drilling problems, such as washouts, lost circulation, and corrosion.

Relief-well drilling

An uncontrolled (wild) well is intersected near its source. Mud and water are then pumped into the relief well to kill the wild one. Directional control is extremely exacting for this type of application.

River-crossing applications

Directional drilling is employed extensively for placing pipelines that cross beneath rivers, and has even been used by telecommunication companies to install fiber-optic cables.

Apogee Phoenix Limited blends our dedicated teams of directional drillers, coordinators, planners and engineers with sophisticated software, advanced monitoring and diagnostic systems, well planning and directional tools. We offer our customers the most complete and in-depth directional drilling services in the industry.

We have the experience to accomplish a wide variety of directional projects. We aggressively manage the project from start to finish - from securing the proper equipment and selecting an experienced directional driller to providing the customer with 24-hour support until completion.

A unique feature of our Directional Drilling Services delivery is our 2D RSS service. This is a low cost alternative to 3D Rotary Steerable Systems (3D RSS). By employing high torque-low speed motors coupled with Hydrastab adjustable gauge stabilizers, we offer similar performance but cheaper alternative to conventional 3D RSS. This system will prove technically more efficient in loose Niger Delta formations where 3D RSS systems do not meet expectations.

 

We also drills wells for clients on consultancy basis. This service is applicable to service companies who do not have enough directional drillers (or those with inadequate experience) to handle their wells. Manned by the first generation of Nigerian Directional Drillers, Segofs Energy brings extensive Niger Delta experience to Directional Drilling practice. Our Mud Motors which are designed to provide dependable service under the toughest drilling conditions are available in a variety of power and flow configurations to provide you with superior results.

Having the proper tools and equipment to accomplish the job in a quick, efficient and safe manner is paramount to Segofs Energy. We offer our clients a large selection of products and tools, each assembled and packaged to meet and exceed the unique needs of the directional drilling requirements for the project.