System and method for enhancing permeability of a subterranean zone at a horizontal well bore

Abstract

A method and system for enhancing permeability of a subterranean zone at a horizontal well bore includes determining a drilling profile for the horizontal well bore. At least one characteristic of the drilling profile is selected to aid in stabilizing the horizontal well bore during drilling. A liner is inserted into the horizontal well bore. The well bore is collapsed to increase permeability of the subterranean zone at the horizontal well bore.

1 . A method for enhancing permeability of a subterranean zone at a well bore, comprising:
 determining a drilling profile for drilling a horizontal well bore in a subterranean zone, at least one characteristic of the drilling profile selected to aid in stabilizing the horizontal well bore during drilling;   inserting a liner into the horizontal well bore; and   collapsing the horizontal well bore.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drilling profile comprises a non-invasive drilling fluid. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising injecting fluid into the horizontal well bore to facilitate removal and recovery of fluids from the subterranean zone. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the non-invasive drilling, fluid forms a filter cake comprising a depth of to four centimeters or less. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subterranean zone comprises a coal seam. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising reducing a pressure in the horizontal well bore to collapse the horizontal well bore. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein reducing a pressure in the horizontal well bore comprises pumping the drilling fluid from the horizontal well bore to decrease the down-hole hydrostatic pressure in the horizontal well bore. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming a horizontal well bore in a subterranean zone comprises forming the horizontal well bore in a subterranean zone proximate one or more aquifers. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liner is perforated. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drilling profile includes a sealing filter cake. 
   
   
       11 - 13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . A method for obtaining resources from a coal seam, comprising:
 forming an articulated well bore having a substantially horizontal portion formed in the coal seam, the coal seam disposed proximate at least one aquifer; and   enhancing production of resources from the coal seam into the well bore without hydraulically fracturing the coal seam.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein enhancing production of resources from the coal seam into the well bore without hydraulically fracturing the coal seam comprises collapsing at least a portion of the well bore to enhance the production of the resources from the coal seam into the well bore. 
   
   
       16 . A method for producing gas from a coal seam, comprising:
 drilling a horizontal well bore in a subterranean zone, the well bore sized to collapse in response to a down-hole pressure condition;   maintaining down-hole pressure in the well bore above the down-hole pressure condition during drilling; and   reducing the down-hole pressure to the down-hole pressure condition to purposefully collapse the well bore.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising forming a filter cake in the well bore to help maintain the down-hole pressure in the well bore above the down-hole pressure condition during drilling. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the subterranean zone comprises a coal seam. 
   
   
       19 . A system for producing gas from a subterranean zone, comprising:
 a well bore including a horizontal portion in the subterranean zone, the subterranean zone proximate at least one aquifer;   a liner in the horizontal portion; and   a plurality of apertures in the liner.   
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the liner is uncemented. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the subterranean zone comprises a coal seam. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the coal seam is disposed sufficiently close to at least one aquifer that there is a substantial risk of a fracture formed by hydraulic fracturing performed in the coal seam propagating into the aquifer. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the subterranean zone is disposed sufficiently close to at least one aquifer that there is a substantial risk of a fracture formed by hydraulic fracturing performed in the subterranean zone propagating into the aquifer.