An operator in Oman was looking for a way to significantly reduce drilling costs and to achieve more aggressive performance without sacrificing vertical control in deep exploration gas wells with long, interbedded carbonate intervals and sticky shales.

 

Before drilling, Baker Hughes conducted a rigorous, two-month offset well drilling performance analysis using the Baker Hughes DART™ drilling application review team process.

 

“Based on those results, Baker Hughes recommended that a Hughes Christensen 12 ¼-in. Talon™ high-efficiency PDC bit be added to the drill string with the AutoTrak™ V vertical rotary steerable system and the Navi-Drill™ X-treme™ low-speed motor,” says Marco Cruz, Drill Bits Product Line Technical Manager in Oman. “Average rate of penetration was 28% faster than the previous record for a deep gas well in the field and 64% higher than the average rate of penetration, saving 5.6 days or 63.7% compared to plan for a cost reduction of USD 196,000.”

 

The Talon high-efficiency PDC bits use proprietary polished cutters and feature improved mechanical and hydraulic designs to optimize drilling performance, provide faster ROP, and offer longer run life.

 

“Using the DART process, which combines a team of experienced engineers, proprietary software, technology, and a state-of-the-art drilling lab to provide the right solution, every bit is custom designed to fit the customer’s drilling program instead of providing a one-size-fits-all solution,” says Matt Meiners, Product Line Manager for Diamond Bits.

 

Based on the success of its first run using the Talon PDC bits, the operator chose Talon bits for two other gas development wells, saving 2.8 days compared to plan and USD 98,000 on the first well. On the second well, the Talon bits reduced the number of bits required from five to two, taking 11.5 days off the authority for expenditure and saving approximately USD 402,000.