The PowerDrive Archer RSS—designed to deliver high build rates
from any inclination—allowed precise steering in the soft formations
where sediment washouts from mud flow can reduce BHA steering capabilities.
Geosteering data from the EcoScope service, which colocates gamma ray,
resistivity, density, and neutron measurements in one collar close to the bit,
enabled the team to identify markers and land the well smoothly in the correct
location in the reservoir.
The 6 1⁄8-in horizontal section was also drilled in a single run
with a BHA that incorporated a PowerDrive X6 RSS and a PeriScope bed boundary
mapper. Using information from the mapper to geosteer the RSS enabled the team
to make quick corrections and place the wellbore within 2 m of TVD of the top
of the reservoir, as planned, while maintaining a smooth wellbore trajectory
that ensured ease of completion running.
Increase ROP 66%
The PowerDrive Archer RSS and Smith Bits PDC bit drilled the 8 1/2-in
section in one run at an average ROP of 56.8 m/h—a 66% increase over the
34.2 m/h field average ROP with positive displacement motors—and
delivered a quality wellbore with an average DLS of 4 to 5°/30 m that
allowed smooth running of the 7-in liner to TD. Because of the success of the
integrated solution, Salamander Energy plans to use the same approach on future
wells in the Bualuang field.
