Volume 3 · Issue 1 (2026)
Current Trends in Fishbone Branch Well Drilling and Completion Designs and Operations
Yi Pan, Yong Luo, Kun He, Ming Yan, Yi Kang, Yanping Zhang*
1 CNPC Engineering Technology R&D Company Limited, Beijing, 102200, China
Corresponding Author: Yanping Zhang (zypdri@cnpc.com.cn)
Abstract: Fishbone branch wells provide a high-efficiency architecture for effective reservoir contact (ERC) while bypassing the capital intensity and logistical footprints of multi-lateral long-steps or large-scale hydraulic fracturing. This review evaluates the technological shift from niche stimulation tools toward integrated workflows encompassing reservoir screening, 3 Dimensions (3D) geo-steering, and autonomous branch creation. We contextualize fishbone systems within the Technology Advancement of Multilaterals (TAML) classification framework and analyze critical design sensitivities, including branch density, spatial orientation, and geo-mechanical stability. The study synthesizes advancements in drilling reliability, liner-based needle systems, and multi-physics performance evaluation. Finally, we identify strategic research gaps in branch interference modeling, the scalability of short-lateral operations, and cost-effective surveillance for complex multi-branch systems in oil, gas and geothermal applications.
Keywords: Fishbone branch wells; Multilaterals; TAML; Effective reservoir contact (ERC)
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