Method and system for producing a reservoir through a boundary layer

Abstract

A method for producing a reservoir includes drilling a well into a boundary layer that is hydraulically connected to the reservoir. Reservoir fluid migration from the reservoir to the boundary layer is accelerated and the reservoir fluid is produced through the well.

1 . A method for producing a reservoir, comprising: 
 drilling a well into a boundary layer of the reservoir for the purpose of producing reservoir fluid from the reservoir, the boundary layer hydraulically connected to the reservoir;    accelerating migration of reservoir fluid from the reservoir to the boundary layer; and    producing through the well reservoir fluid.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the well comprises a cavity well having a cavity formed in the boundary layer.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the well terminates in the boundary layer.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein migrating reservoir fluid from the reservoir to the boundary layer comprises migrating water and gas from the reservoir to the boundary layer, further comprising pumping water to the surface through a pump having an inlet in the boundary layer.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir comprises an unconventional reservoir.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the reservoir comprises a coal formation.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the reservoir fluid comprises gas.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the boundary layer comprises a fractured layer.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the boundary layer comprises a sandstone.  
   
   
       10 . A system for producing a reservoir, comprising: 
 a subsurface reservoir;    a boundary layer hydraulically connected to the reservoir;    a plurality of wells extending from a surface into the boundary layer, the boundary layer comprising a non-hydrocarbon layer; and    a pumping system disposed in each well;    a pressure sink generated at each well; and    wherein reservoir fluid migrates from the reservoir to the boundary layer in response to at least the pressure sink.    
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the reservoir comprises an unconventional reservoir.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the unconventional reservoir comprises a coal seam.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the boundary layer comprises a fractured layer.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the boundary layer comprises a sandstone.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the pumping system comprises a progressive cavity pump.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the pumping system comprises a downhole motor.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the pumping system comprises a rod pump.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the wells comprise vertical wells.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the wells comprise cavity wells.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the wells terminate in the boundary layer.  
   
   
       21 . A method for producing coal bed methane (CBM) through a boundary layer, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of wells extending from a surface into a boundary layer of a coal formation;    the boundary layer hydraulically connected to the coal layer;    removing fluids collected in the wells to cause accelerated migration of CBM from the coal layer to the boundary layer; and    producing the CBM through the wells.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the boundary layer comprises a fractured formation.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the boundary layer comprises a fractured sandstone.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising removing the water collected in the well by pumping the water to the surface.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the boundary layer is adjacent to the coal layer.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of wells are arranged in a pattern.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the wells include at least one lateral in the boundary layer.