deviation | Energy Glossary

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deviation

1. n. []

The angle at which a wellbore diverges from vertical. Wells can deviate from vertical because of the dips in the beds being drilled through. Wells can also be deliberately deviated by the use of a whipstock or other steering mechanism. Wells are often deviated or turned to a horizontal direction to increase exposure to producing zones, intersect a larger number of fractures, or to follow a complex structure.

See: beddeviation surveydip