Field test of Schlumberger PowerDrive Xtra 4 3/4-inch rotary steerable system for Shell Expro delivers outstanding directional drilling capabilities in record time
HOUSTON - Schlumberger Oilfield Services announced today a world first for the successful run of its slimhole rotary steerable system in the Shell Brent Delta field.
On its first field test in the North Sea, the new Schlumberger PowerDrive Xtra* 475 rotary steerable system successfully drilled 2377 feet in 43.5 hours with an average rate of penetration (ROP) of 67 ft/hr, making it the first known rotary steerable system successfully to drill this size of hole section.
"With the introduction of this new technology, we can now consider drilling wells previously deemed too complex," said Klaas van der Plas, senior well engineer, (New Technology) for Shell U.K. Exploration and Production (Shell Expro). "In this particular project, PowerDrive saved 8.42 days compared to drilling a typical 6 1/8-in. section."
The system comprised the PowerDrive Xtra 475 steering unit with the Vision* telemetry system for transmitting data and a specially designed Schlumberger RS223 PDC bit. According to van der Plas, the well profile was quite complex, which required three-dimensional steerability to intersect multiple targets. "We experienced excellent steering response and hole quality, and were able to complete the job in a single run instead of several," said van der Plas.
The new PowerDrive Xtra 475 system allows for the most demanding of reservoir profiles to be drilled in a single run. With this new system, a well can be designed with a 6-inch hole as the primary reservoir section.
"Based on the outstanding field test results, our customers can look at new approaches to complex well designs," said Imran Kizilbash, president, Drilling & Measurements for Schlumberger Oilfield Services. "This unique capability, used in conjunction with real-time drilling and geological data, offers a distinct advantage to oil and gas operators to reduce well construction costs."
-Ends-
About Shell
Shell U. K. Exploration and Production (Shell Expro) is a leading operator in the U.K. sector of the North Sea on behalf of Shell, Esso and other co-venturers.
Shell Expro has interests in 57 fields in the UKCS, operating 14 offshore oil production platforms and producing from one FPSO and 23 gas fields. It also operates two gas plants at St. Fergus in the North-east of Scotland and Bacton in Norfolk as well as an NGL plant and marine loading terminal in Fife. It provides employment for some 2500 people offshore and onshore.
Shell Expro has been part of the U.K. oil and gas industry for more than 30 years and is a major contributor to the U.K. annual economy, including 20% of U.K. oil and 17% of U.K. gas. It has been responsible for around one quarter of all North Sea industry investment and hydrocarbon production to date.
About Schlumberger
Schlumberger Oilfield Services, the largest oilfield services company in the world, is the leading supplier of technology services and solutions to the international petroleum industry. With operations in more than 100 countries, Schlumberger Oilfield Services is one of two business segments of Schlumberger Limited, a global technology services company spanning the oil and gas, telecommunications, utilities, finance, transport and public sector markets. Schlumberger revenue was $13.7 billion in 2001. For more information visit http://www.slb.com.
*Mark of Schlumberger
For further information, contact:
Susan Ganz
Media Relations Manager
Schlumberger Oilfield Services
Tel: +1 281 285 8245
sganz1@slb.com
Emma White
External Communications Manager, Aberdeen
Schlumberger Oilfield Services
Tel: 44 1224 385618
ewhite2@slb.com
© Press Release 2006
