314 HDD rig constraints, while remaining compatible with local geology, shallow target depths, and available equipment. The Trajectory analysis confirms that pad drilling is not mechanically feasible, as the shallow target TVDs would require excessive dogleg severities (10°/30 m), significantly increasing the risk of screen deployment failure. In contrast, single-well trajectories with dogleg severities limited to 3°/30 m provide a substantially higher probability of successful drilling and screen installation. Overall, the probability of success for first-ofkind horizontal lithium wells in the Salar is assessed as high. The dynamic simulation results will be used to determine if horizontal wells provide a clear advantage over vertical wells when developing the mineral brine resources contained within salars. CONCLUSIONS Horizontal wells can be readily drilled in salars using slant rigs that begin the well path at 30° degree angles . The maximum lateral length of the horizontal section is limited to 2000m MD, the limitation come from the drilling torque to drill the 3½" production hole The conclusions determined from the dynamic simulation results will be based upon the ability of horizontal wells to deliver superior performance compared to vertical wells. The performance criteria listed below will be utilized as determinants – • A larger mineral resource is abstracted over the 40-year operating life • Higher brine abstraction rates are achieved (inflow + lift) • There is a longer period of time before the injected DLE plant effluent breaks through into the abstraction wells • A greater economic return is realized REFERENCES Houston, J., Butcher, A., Ehren, P., Evans, K., and Godfrey, L., 2011, The Evaluation of Brine Prospects and the Requirement for Modifications to Filing Standards; Economic Geology, v. 106, pp. 1225–1239 Casas, E., and Lowenstein, T.K., 1989, Diagenesis of saline pan halite: Comparisons of petrographic features of Modern, Quaternary and Permian halites; Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 59, p. 724–739.
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