ANALYZING A MULTILATERAL-WELL FAILURE IN THE EAST WILMINGTON FIELD OFCALIFORNIA

As the industry pursues optimum cost drilling techniques, more focus i s being applied to multilateral (ML) technology. The presently availab le literature invariably focuses on the cost and efficiency benefits o f drilling ML wells. What is missing in the media, however, are the be nefits associated with publication of the negative aspects or costly f ailures of higher-technology, multiple-lateral projects that require a mechanical tieback, cement, or a pressure seal at the junction of the laterals (i.e., Class 3-, 4-, or 5-type wells, respectively). This pa per presents a case study of a Class 4 ML well attempted by THUMS Long Beach Co. in the East Wilmington field of California.