Key issues and solutions in offshore horizontal multilateral wells drilling and completion

As major offshore oilfields in Bohai Bay are advancing into mid-to-late stages of development, horizontal multilateral wells with the aim of maximizing drainage area and enhancing production rate, have become effective approach to achieving higher production with fewer wells and improving cost efficiency. At present, the safe and efficient development of offshore horizontal multilateral wells faces many challenges, including open-hole and poor isolation at the junction of the main-bore and branch, selective production technology unavailable, etc. Therefore, based on the study of the limitations of traditional solutions, three significantly advantageous solutions are proposed, including sidetrack laterals using open hole hollow whipstock, open hole multi-zone gravelpack, and multilateral hydraulic intelligent production. Ultimately, a new integrated solution for open hole hollow whipstock intelligent production for horizontal multilateral wells is formed. This provides effective technical support for the precise and long-term development of horizontal multilateral wells in offshore oilfields.