Gulf of Mexico
We were there at the beginning. When operators first began their search for hydrocarbons in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico more than 30 years ago, they called on our experts to work with them. We helped, as we’re still doing today, minimize economic and HS&E risk associated with well construction while maximizing production and ROI.
Now, based on our culture of continuous technology improvement, our experience includes riserless drilling; drilling complex well trajectories through salt layers; development of wells in HP/HT reservoirs; reliable flow assurance programs for ultradeepwater and subsea boosting to optimize production rates.
Operator eliminates unplanned trips and excessive NPT with an integrated solution
A Gulf of Mexico operator—planning 3 hole sections in 4,800 ft of water—called on us after offset wells drilled by competitors had problems with unplanned trips and excessive NPT because of tool failures. The operator’s objective was to drill each of the 26-in., 17 1/2-in., 12 1/4-in. sections in one run.
We proposed an integrated solution using our AutoTrak™ rotary closed-loop system; LWD services; Tricone™ bits and PDC bits; and RHEO-LOGIC™ constant-rheology synthetic-based fluid. Because of surface location constraints and the target positions, the well had to be drilled from one block and into another. The directional plan called for a shallow kickoff in the 26-in. section followed by a build to 80 deg. in the 17 1/2-in. section. The 12-in. interval had to avoid two offset wells and was turned and dropped to intersect the two target zones.
Each section was drilled to TD in a single run without trips for tool or bit failures. There was a 56% improvement in footage drilled over the operator’s offset wells while meeting all directional objectives. This enabled the operator to drill each section under planned cost and days. Mud losses were minimal; there was zero NPT. The operator saved more than $11 million compared to the plan.
Lower Tertiary
Our professionals apply a total systems approach, including drilling fluids, bits, reamer, and drilling and evaluation tools to reach your planned casing points with fewer trips.
Miocene
In the structurally complicated Miocene, real-time formation evaluation data are critical for optimum well placement.






































































