AutoTrak system triples ROP

摘要

THE BAKER HUGHES AutoTrak rotary closed-loop drilling system, integrated with Baker Hughes advanced logging-while-drilling (LWD) technology, reduced the drilling cost per meter from US$2,000 to US$1,000 and tripled the rate of penetration (ROP) from 4 m/hr to 12 m/hr for an operator offshore Tunisia. The operator had encountered difficulties with directional drilling control due to highly interbedded formations. "This is a challenging environment for steerable motors due to potential hang-up of the bottomhole assembly [BHA] on ledges when performing directional work, resulting in low gross ROP, limited wellbore positioning control, and poor hole quality," says Ezekiel Falini, AutoTrak Product Manager. "The AutoTrak system enabled drilling longer and more complex well trajectories at higher ROP through very thin payzones, delivering high-quality boreholes precisely positioned in the reservoir for superior performance."