Abstract This study evaluates the efficacy of Extended-Reach Drilling (ERD) as a strategic tool for production optimization in a Middle Eastern onshore field. Through a 10-year dynamic simulation, the performance of an ERD configuration (Well A) was benchmarked against a conventional vertical design (Well B) under identical reservoir conditions. Results indicate that the ERD well outperformed the conventional counterpart with a 35% higher initial flow rate and a 53. 7% increase in cumulative recovery. This significant gain is driven by superior reservoir contact and optimized inflow distribution. Economically, at a base price of 62/bbl, the ERD approach generated an NPV of USD 79. 94 million—a USD 27. 74 million surplus over the vertical well—with a rapid one-year payback period. Sensitivity analyses confirm that ERD is a technically superior and economically resilient solution for maximizing recovery in complex or thin reservoirs. The findings provide a quantitative framework for field operators to integrate ERD within long-term production optimization and reservoir management strategies.
Sameer et al. (2026) studied this question.