Abstract: A method for developing oil or natural gas shale or tight rock formations by constructing wells in a two step process. The method includes an algorithm for determining under what conditions this two step process is the preferred option for developing a shale or tight rock resource. Step one is to drill a multilateral well with a profusion of unstimulated open-hole laterals from a main wellbore, after which the well is produced for a period of time. Step two is to re-enter the well and install a multistage hydraulic fracture completion. The method includes drilling the main bore and laterals in a specific sequence and geometry to facilitate running a frac liner in the future when the multistage fracturing step is carried out.

Abstract: A wellbore system to produce natural gas and/or oil from high pressure shale or tight rock formations using a profusion of open hole sinusoidal laterals to achieve comparable contact surface areas with multi-stage hydraulically fractured wellbores. The laterals are drilled in an orientation designed to intersect the dominant natural fracture system and are also drilled in a sinusoidal pattern to interconnect the individual rock facies within the targeted subterranean zone. The sequence of lateral drilling is toe to heel, with the open hole kickoff in the downward direction to facilitate easy re-entry upon drill string tripping. By drilling enough laterals to achieve comparable contact surface area with hydraulically fractured wells, the subject invention allows for comparable quantities of natural gas and/or oil to be produced from high pressure shale or tight rock formations at significantly lower capital cost.