| Abstract |
The integration of multi-stage hydraulic fracturing and extended horizontal drilling has markedly advanced oil extraction from the Bakken tight oil reservoir, a prominent unconventional reservoir in the United States. Despite these technological strides, the primary recovery rates from this tight formation have remained suboptimal, leaving a considerable volume of oil unrecovered. This challenge underscores the necessity for innovative Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods tailored to the unique conditions of the Bakken formation. While CO2 injection has been explored, its effectiveness is limited by the formation's heterogeneity. This study introduces an innovative approach through the application of Fishbone Drilling (FbD) technology, aimed at enhancing recovery efforts in the Bakken formation. Our investigation reveals that FbD, characterized by multiple minor holes branching from the main wellbore, significantly improves hydrocarbon recovery by enhancing reservoir contact and exploiting the existing natural fractures more effectively than traditional methods. The findings indicate that FbD not only promises an increase in hydrocarbon flow but also, through optimization of design parameters, aligns with economic viability over time despite higher initial costs. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of FbD's optimal design and its efficacy in the Bakken formation, supported by data-driven insights that validate the technology's potential to revolutionize EOR strategies in unconventional reservoirs. Through detailed numerical simulations and comparative analyses, this study highlights the superior performance of FbD over conventional drilling and fracturing methods, proposing a promising avenue for future exploration and development within the unconventional reservoirs. |
, N. Bettir 
