Drilling Shale Plays

More Pay Zone, Less Rig Time

Reducing time to drill to total depth is a key factor for improving drilling efficiency. ROP, reduced trips, build angle, lateral length, drilling fluids, and hole quality, all play a role in improving drilling efficiency and improving economics. From fluid systems to the BHA, Schlumberger has the most complete drilling technology offering in the industry.

Optimize well placement

Shale reservoir rock quality can be highly variable in relatively narrow vertical and horizontal sections. Shale zones also tend to undulate. Real-time acquisition, interpretation, and integration of well measurements can help prevent unexpected drilling events, and keep your wellbore in the most productive zones. Evaluating the formation with LWD or MWD tools gives you the assurance you need to reduce risk and maximize results.

Drill longer laterals, faster and with higher build rates and quality

Well-spacing regulations and reduced environmental footprint are just some of the reasons why extended reach laterals are becoming more common. Drilling technology, including interactive 3D well path design, specially designed drill bits, and rotary steerable systems, helps you to drill longer laterals faster, more reliably, with greater accuracy and increased overall drilling efficiency. Rotary steerable systems also create smoother boreholes that don’t require hole conditioning to run production casing, and they deliver higher build rates that allow you to drill deeper before kick off, delivering greater reservoir contact.

Enhance wellbore strength and limit lost circulation

High-pressure, high-temperature shales can be challenging for drillers. Advanced drilling fluids that provide borehole strengthening, limit lost circulation, and adhere to ever-stricter environmental regulations are required. Optimal drilling fluids often differ between shale plays and require knowledge of what fluids are most successful. Choosing the best fluid can also help you drill faster and better.

Measure gas produced while drilling

Through fluid logging and analysis in real time, we can obtain a unique quantitative analysis of C1—C5 and qualitative information on the C6–C8 components and light aromatics in gas extracted from drilling mud, unaffected by drilling conditions such as mud type and temperature. This is key information to help you better understand the producibility of intervals along the borehole and allow smarter completions.

Mud Logging

Geoservices, a Schlumberger company, delivers mud logging services, with a focused competence in formation evaluation and drilling support. Through the intelligent use of all available data from our advanced acquisition systems: geological data, hydrocarbon data, surface drilling data, and downhole drilling data, we assist your critical decision making to assure safety and quality and to maintain cost control.