Wellbore landing methods for reservoir stimulation

Abstract

A technique facilitates enhanced hydrocarbon fluid production. A well is formed in a subterranean region by drilling a borehole, e.g. a wellbore, which has a lateral section. The lateral section may be located at least in part in a non-productive zone of the subterranean region. In cooperation with the lateral section, at least one tunnel is formed which intersects the lateral section and penetrates a productive zone containing hydrocarbon fluid. A plurality of tunnels may be formed to extend from the lateral section outwardly into the productive zone. A well stimulation, e.g. hydraulic fracturing, operation is performed through the tunnel(s) to stimulate a desired stimulation zone or zones within the productive zone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for enhancing hydrocarbon fluid production, comprising:
 defining a productive zone from which hydrocarbon fluid is to be produced;   drilling a borehole with a lateral section of the borehole positioned at least partially outside the productive zone;   forming a tunnel which extends from the lateral section and penetrates the productive zone; and   using the tunnel to stimulate at least a portion of the productive zone to promote production of hydrocarbon fluid from the productive zone through the tunnel and into the lateral section.   
     
     
         2 . The method for enhancing hydrocarbon fluid production as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising producing the hydrocarbon fluid from the lateral section up to a surface collection location. 
     
     
         3 . The method for enhancing hydrocarbon fluid production as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising casing at least a portion of the borehole. 
     
     
         4 . The method for enhancing hydrocarbon fluid production as recited in  claim 1 , wherein forming comprises forming a plurality of the tunnels extending from the lateral section. 
     
     
         5 . The method for enhancing hydrocarbon fluid production as recited in  claim 4 , wherein drilling comprises orienting the lateral section substantially horizontally and orienting tunnels of the plurality of tunnels substantially vertically. 
     
     
         6 . The method for enhancing hydrocarbon fluid production as recited in  claim 4 , wherein stimulating comprises using the plurality of tunnels to fracture a plurality of stimulation zones within the productive zone. 
     
     
         7 . The method for enhancing hydrocarbon fluid production as recited in  claim 1 , wherein drilling comprises locating the lateral section in a subterranean region having a minimum in situ stress higher than the productive zone. 
     
     
         8 . The method for enhancing hydrocarbon fluid production as recited in  claim 1 , wherein drilling comprises locating the lateral section between the productive zone and a second productive zone; wherein forming comprises providing at least one tunnel penetrating the productive zone and at least one tunnel penetrating the second productive zone. 
     
     
         9 . The method for enhancing hydrocarbon fluid production as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising completing the horizontal section with a plurality of open hole packers. 
     
     
         10 . The method for enhancing hydrocarbon fluid production as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising completing the horizontal section with a plurality of flow control devices. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 drilling a borehole with a substantially horizontal lateral section in a subterranean region;   forming a plurality of tunnels which extend outwardly from the substantially horizontal lateral section; and   pumping a fracturing fluid through the borehole, into the substantially horizontal lateral section, and out through the plurality of tunnels to fracture the subterranean region at a plurality of stimulation zones within at least one productive zone.   
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein drilling comprises locating the substantially horizontal lateral section above the at least one productive zone and wherein forming comprises forming the plurality of tunnels in a downward direction from the substantially horizontal lateral section. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein drilling comprises locating the substantially horizontal lateral section below the at least one productive zone and wherein forming comprises forming the plurality of tunnels in an upward direction from the substantially horizontal lateral section. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein forming comprises forming the tunnels in a plurality of different directions to penetrate a plurality of productive zones. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein pumping comprises pumping the fracturing fluid through sequential tunnels of the plurality of tunnels to cause sequential fracturing of stimulation zones. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising completing the substantially horizontal lateral section with a plurality of open hole packers and a plurality of frac sleeves. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein drilling comprises locating the substantially horizontal lateral section through the productive zone. 
     
     
         18 . A method, comprising:
 drilling a borehole with a lateral section in a substantially horizontal orientation;   locating at least a portion of the lateral section in a non-productive zone;   forming tunnels which intersect the lateral section and extend substantially vertically to penetrate a productive zone containing hydrocarbon fluid; and   using the tunnels to stimulate zones within the productive zone.   
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising producing the hydrocarbon fluid from the productive zone to a surface location. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein locating comprises locating the lateral section entirely in the non-productive zone.