Integrating Value Stream Mapping for Risk-Informed Multilateral Well Design and Operations

Abstract Multilateral well operations require precise coordination and a robust planning framework to achieve efficiency and reliability. The success of these operations depends on proactive collaboration, clear process visualization, and effective use of analytical tools. This paper demonstrates how Value Stream Mapping (VSM) can be systematically applied to multilateral well projects to enhance planning and execution. The study focuses on mapping the entire well construction and completion workflow to uncover hidden inefficiencies, and mitigate operational risks across all execution stages. Successful multilateral drilling and completion depend on structured planning, precise execution, and continuous evaluation. Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is applied to visualize workflow performance and identify improvement areas. A current-state VSM captures actual processes from design to completion, mapping material flow, decision points, and cross-functional dependencies. This analysis highlights high-risk areas such as junction design, completion tool integration, and installation sequencing. A future-state VSM is then developed to eliminate redundancy, align resources, and embed quality controls. The proposed workflow is validated using experience from TAML-level multilateral wells, confirming that VSM effectively minimizes waste, reduces risk. Design selection plays a pivotal role in optimizing multilateral well performance. Improvements began by choosing configurations that align with well geometry and capital objectives. Applying advanced design technologies and Value Stream Mapping (VSM) added structure to this process, helping identify and eliminate sources of waste. Utilizing lateral window access enhanced system efficiency by enabling reservoir evaluation through the main bore, eliminating the need for additional dedicated wells. Another process advancement involved reusing existing wells as observation points rather than abandoning them, improving overall asset value. Integrating lateral access windows with intelligent completions further advanced multilateral systems, reducing the risk of water or gas breakthrough. This allowed lateral flow optimization and intervention without full completion retrieval, improving recovery efficiency and reducing downtime. Field observations confirmed that many technical challenges in multilateral operations arise from inefficient processes rather than mechanical limitations. By incorporating decision gates, digital monitoring, and standardized workflows, operational variance was minimized. The combination of VSM with data-driven design optimization provides a structured approach to transforming sequential multilateral well construction into a synchronized, risk-informed process—reinforcing the strong correlation between process efficiency, design optimization, and engineering reliability. This paper introduces an integrated approach that applies Value Stream Mapping (VSM) to multilateral well engineering. Unlike earlier studies focused mainly on mechanical or geological risks, this work addresses inefficiencies within the operational process itself. By combining process visualization with risk quantification, the paper presents a new framework for improving design quality, reducing waste, and enhancing coordination across the well lifecycle—offering a structured path toward continuous improvement in multilateral well performance.