Outperform in demanding unconventional reservoirs

Properly engineered drilling fluid systems maintain stable rheology and cuttings transport, helping prevent cuttings from settling and increasing drag on the drillstring. The LateralMax system is engineered for complex extended-reach wells, where managing equivalent circulating density, pressure fluctuations, and hole cleaning is critical. In a Permian Basin application, the system supported successful drilling of 4-mi laterals in high-risk zones. The wells met or exceeded operational objectives and were completed under authorization for expenditure targets.

Key properties include stable rheology, low-shear viscosity, effective shale inhibition, lubricity, and control of equivalent circulating density and sag. For demanding high‑temperature, high-pressure, and extended-reach applications, the LateralMax system helps reduce friction, improve hole cleaning, and maintain wellbore stability. Where a water-based system is suitable, the HydraGlyde system provides stable rheology, shale inhibition, low-shear viscosity, and reduced torque and drag. SLB engineers select and tailor the fluid system based on lateral length, temperature, pressure window, formation sensitivity, operational objectives, and environmental requirements.

Advanced rotary steerable systems can improve curve capability and landing accuracy while maintaining a smoother wellbore through the lateral. In Permian Basin field trials, the PowerDrive Max system improved rate of penetration by up to 48% and saved as much as 2.9 days compared with offset wells. Reported curve dogleg severity values were 9°/100 ft and 13°/100 ft, with stable, low dogleg severity maintained through the laterals. Actual results depend on the formation, well profile, drilling parameters, and offset baseline.

Operators can deploy the rig-enabled cementing service, which integrates an electric cement mixing skid into the rig package. Because the equipment remains at the rig site and moves with the rig, operators can:

• Reduce delays caused by weather and road restrictions.
• Reduce dependence on equipment mobilization and availability.
• Eliminate repeated rig-up and rig-down activities.
• Reduce personnel exposure and equipment movement.
• Shorten well construction cycles and increase rig utilization.

In the Bakken Shale, the service enabled Chord Energy to complete four cementing jobs during road closures while other rigs in the basin incurred more than 130 hours of combined nonproductive time. It also reduced rig-up and rig-down time by two hours per cementing job.

Operators can use the Losseal Max treatment to seal natural or induced fractures up to 0.4 in [10 mm]. Its engineered blend of particulates and reinforcing fibers forms a fiber network that a high concentration of solids plugs to control moderate, severe, or total losses. The treatment is up to 96% degradable and acid-soluble in 15% hydrochloric acid, helping minimize formation damage. It can be pumped through a bypass sub on the drilling bottomhole assembly to eliminate trip time, reduce nonproductive time, and enable drilling to continue.