Multilateral Architectures Hold Major Potential In Resource Plays By Doug G. Durst HOUSTON-Multilateral technology has significant potential for improving efficiencies, lowering development costs and optimizing production and recovery rates in tight oil and shale gas plays. One of the most critical decision points in planning a multilateral project in an unconventional reservoir is determining the level of junction complexity sufficient to allow each lateral to be effectively stimulated and produced. Although higher-level junctions provide design benefits that can be very advantageous for hydraulic fracturing operations, well con- struction costs tend to increase in step with junction complexity. There are pros and cons associated with each of the four Technology Advancement of Multilaterals (TAML) junction levels, but all of them can be matched with multistage completion and stimulation systems. This includes cemented liners with plug-and-perf fracturing, cemented sleeves, open-hole fracturing using any type of fracturing sleeve and isolation devices/packers, and various types of coiled tubing completion equipment. AUGUST 2017 65