Abstract
In recent years, a growing number of consultants and owners have considered the use of horizontal remediation wells as an alternative solution to the removal and containment of contaminants. Horizontal wells offer several distinct advantages over traditional vertical wells or barrier wall systems including larger zone of influence and capture, higher well efficiency, and remote access. Horizontal wells are installed using horizontal directional drilling, a remotely guided drilling technique that makes it possible to drill horizontal boreholes over long distances along straight or curved profiles and alignments. The drilling equipment and installation techniques used for the installation of horizontal wells are described in detail, current applications of this technology are presented, and two Canadian case studies are described. Design considerations for horizontal wells including borehole alignment and the selection of drilling fluid, downhole tools, well screen and development methods are outlined. It is concluded that horizontal well technology can provide the remediation engineer with a powerful new tool for the successful completion of complex remediation projects.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings, Annual Conference - Canadian Society for Civil Engineering |
| Editors | J.P. Newhook, E. Tupper |
| Pages | 131-140 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Volume | 2 |
| State | Published - 1998 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | Canadian Society for Civil Engineering - 1998 Annual Conference - Halifax, NS, Canada Duration: Jun 10 1998 → Jun 13 1998 |
Other
| Other | Canadian Society for Civil Engineering - 1998 Annual Conference |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Canada |
| City | Halifax, NS |
| Period | 6/10/98 → 6/13/98 |
Keywords
- Contaminants
- Design
- Directional drilling
- Horizontal wells
- Well development
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Engineering