Abstract
Optimized drilling performance and minimized cost per well are key objectives for operators in the current challenging oil and gas industry. The process of collecting lessons learned and designing new drill bit technologies based on these learnings is critical for optimizing drilling performance and reducing non-productive time (NPT). Southeast Kuwait onshore wells are drilled with conventional drill bit technology such as tungsten carbide insert (TCI) and polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits on rotary or directional-motor bottom hole assemblies (BHA). This paper discusses the analysis that enabled breakthrough-drilling performance of 16-in. hybrid drill bit technology, delivering outstanding results and cost savings for an operator.
The non-homogeneous carbonate formation in these onshore wells cause impact damage, limit the drilling efficiency of PDC and TCI bits, and result in a low rate of penetration (ROP) and poor dull conditions. A collaborative technical analysis identified key performance objectives to ensure a step change in section drilling performance.
The analysis involved reviewing:
Post-run dull conditions
Operating parameters
Formation compressive strengths
Bit design
Previous deployments results
On Multiple wells, advanced hybrid bit technology and optimized drilling methods achieved outstanding 73-percent improvement in ROP over conventional technologies, saving operator's 3.8 drilling days and more than 27% of drilling costs. The hybrid design completed two consecutive best in class (BIC) wells in southeast Kuwait compared with the typical TCI performance of a single well per bit.
