Unconventional Well Optimizer

Overview

The Unconventional Well Optimizer is an advanced layout engine used to maximize hydrocarbon recovery by intelligently placing multi-well pads and lateral trajectories across vast development areas. This optimizer calculates the complex geometries involved in placing pads, routing connectors, spacing laterals, and avoiding interference, all while respecting your geological boundaries and constraints.

Step-by-Step Workflow

1. Define the Development Area

Start by mapping out where the development can take place.

Draw Contours: Draw polygons on the map representing the valid areas for drilling.
Reference Coordinates: Set a geographic anchor for the optimization grid.

2. Select Unconventional Mode

In the configuration panel, ensure the Well Type is set to Unconventional (which is usually the default). This reveals the full suite of parameters required to govern pad sizes, lateral lengths, and well spacing.

3. Configure Layout & Target Parameters

Define the physical geometry of your laterals:

Target Length: Set the ideal length for your lateral segments in meters.
Azimuth: Set the drilling direction (orientation) of the laterals in degrees.
Auto-Search (Optional): If you are unsure of the optimal length or azimuth, you can enable Search Target Length and Search Azimuth. The optimizer will sweep through ranges (defined by Length Samples and Azimuth Samples) to find the most efficient layout.

4. Configure Spacing & Pad Constraints

Set the rules for how wells interact with each other and how they are grouped onto pads:

Spacing: The distance between individual laterals within exactly the same zone/landing.
Wells per Pad: Define the minimum and maximum capacity of your surface pads.
PAD Spacing: Define the minimum clearance required between adjacent surface pad groups (Default is 1000m).
Landings (Z-Axis): Configure vertical targets. You can add multiple landings (e.g., L1, L2), specify their unique spacing rules, and choose a Staggered or Aligned placement pattern if stacking laterals.

5. Run the Optimizer

Click Optimize. The engine evaluates thousands of combinations—testing different azimuths, lengths, and pad locations within your drawn contours—to find the configuration that maximizes reservoir contact while remaining cost-efficient.

6. Review Results

The map will render the optimized field architecture:

Surface Pads: Rendered grouped locations on the surface.
Connectors: Lines tracing from the surface pads to the start (heel) of the laterals.
Laterals: The horizontal path drilled through the reservoir.

Glossary of Input Variables

Here is a comprehensive breakdown of all the variables available in the Unconventional Optimizer:

📍 General Alignment & Lengths

Variable	Description
Search Azimuth	Toggle on. If enabled, the engine auto-calculates the optimal direction.
Azimuth	The fixed drilling direction/heading in degrees (0 to 360).
Azimuth Samples	The number of iterations/sweeps the engine tests when searching for the best Azimuth.
Search Target Length	Toggle on to let the system find the best horizontal length.
Target Length	The ideal target lateral length in meters.
Min/Max Length	The lower and upper limits allowable for lateral lengths in meters.
Length Samples	The number of iterations the engine tests when finding the best lateral length.
Allow Extend	If enabled, the optimizer is permitted to slightly extend laterals near the contour boundaries to maximize reservoir contact.

🛢️ Well & Pad Spacing Rules

Variable	Description
Spacing	The horizontal distance (in meters) between individual lateral segments inside the same landing.
Average Frac Spacing	The distance between hydraulic fracturing stages along the lateral.
Nb Wells Min / Max	The minimum and maximum number of wells that can be grouped together on a single surface pad.
Delta Connector	Maximum allowed deviation distance from the pad to the start of the lateral.
PAD Spacing	(New) Defines the minimum distance/clearance required between adjacent pad groups (Default: 1000m).
Pad Cost	The financial cost associated with constructing a single pad. Used internally to weigh layout efficiency against infrastructure cost.

🌍 Gridding & Advanced Settings

Variable	Description
Landings Count	The number of distinct vertical geological horizons/zones targeted.
Placement Pattern	`Staggered` (zigzag) or `Aligned` placement design when stacking wells in multiple landings.
Landings Definition	Specific spacing rules tailored per landing. e.g., Landing L1 might have 300m spacing, while L2 has 400m spacing.
X/Y Samples	Grid resolution variables. Number of horizontal and vertical shifts the optimizer will simulate to find the exact best origin point.
Independent Areas	Checkbox. Treat multiple drawn polygons as completely isolated developments or evaluate them together.
Tips Distance Perc	Buffer zone relative ratio to prevent well tips from colliding.

Interpreting Output Data

Unlike conventional wells, unconventional optimization yields a highly interconnected network:

Connector (Head to Toe): Maps the physical path from the Surface Pad (Head) to where the horizontal section begins in the reservoir (Toe/Heel).
Lateral (Head to Toe): Maps the horizontal drilling path (from heel to toe) through the target landing zone.
Frac Stages: Computed automatically based on the target_length and your average_frac_spacing.