Horizontal Drilling is an advanced form of drilling in which the drillbit can be turned parallel to the surface while underground and continue drilling horizontally to a specified distance.

Chesapeake uses both vertical and horizontal methods, but specializes in horizontal drilling and fracturing to extract natural gas from unconventional gas fields such as the Marcellus Shale. The horizontal drilling method uses vertical drilling from the surface down to a desired depth. Then, the drillbit is angled at a small degree over several hundred feet of drilling until it is horizontal to the surface. Drilling can continue horizontally for a few thousand feet or until a specified distance is determined by the engineers.

Continually improving horizontal drilling and multiple well padsites enable the operator to drill more productive wells while reducing the environmental presence by having fewer drilling locations. To read more about the benefits of drilling horizontal wells for the owner of the oil and gas rights, please click here.

For more information on how the process works, please click here to view a video on Horizontal Drilling.