What is Slant Drilling ?

Slant Drilling is a non-vertical hole drilling form commonly used in natural gas and oil production. This form of perforation is generally for the extraction of oil and gas resources that can not be accessed through traditional vertical drilling. Slant drilling is also used as a means of protecting sensitive environmental areas such as wetlands and oceans. This directional drilling also helps reduce the number of wells and equipment needed for natural gas and oil production. In some cases, drilling tilt provides maximum pressure when a malfunction is vertical.

Natural gas and oil deposits are sometimes found in impenetrable areas such as lakes, mountains, glaciers, or residential areas. Instead of disturbing the existing landscape, a well is perforated at a corner of 30-45 degrees to draw the tank from another location. Well vertical production of underground tanks can sometimes be very difficult because of their shape. In these cases, drilling inclination is necessary for the most effective removal of oil and natural gas.

Slant drilling also offers many benefits to the environment by allowing natural gas and oil production to be kept away from delicate ecosystems. This type of drilling is particularly important in the protection of the marine environment near offshore fields. Slant drilling can allow a single offshore drilling system to access more than 20 wells. This production layout reduces the total number of drilling rigs operating in a single body of water and can reduce the risk to the marine environment.

By allowing more well heads in a single offshore location can also help reduce the overall cost of oil and natural gas. The need for fewer drilling rigs has contributed to reducing the costs associated with the production of natural gas and oil in offshore locations. Onshore production costs have been reduced, allowing drilling rigs to be placed in locations that are more easily accessible to vehicles and pipelines. Production costs can be further reduced by allowing crews to bypass dense, rocky terrain with perforation of non-vertical shafts from a location with fewer obstacles.

Slant drilling can also be used to discharge the pressure after a good blow occurs. In this situation, an alternate well is perforated with an angle to the original well from a different location. Angled shaft removes pressure and stops uncontrolled flow of oil or natural gas to the site. This good relief is then used to pump cement into the original well to say it out until repairs can be made. This loss stop method is particularly useful in offshore situations.