CT technology is helping to push performance in field development. Coiled tubing (CT) drilling is moving into the unconventional market. Several companies are combining drillpipe to the process to provide a hybrid rig that can drill conventionally while providing the benefits of CT in a dual-purpose setup. Calgary, Canada-based Xtreme Coil Drilling, which now is headquartered in Houston/recently signed a multiyear contract with a new customer for its XTC 500 Coil Over Top Drive (COTD) model. This fit-for-purpose model features the latest AC variable frequency drive equipment designed to contend with deep horizontal resource plays. When the rig is completed in 2Q 2011, it will bring the company's fleet to 17 rigs and will be the second rig contracted to work in North Dakota's Bakken formation. The XTC 500 has a broad application in the horizontal shale plays. The rig features two 1,600-hp mud pumps that provide the pumping capacity needed for most horizontal applications. The AC rig is rated at 500,000 lb hook load capable of drilling to 21,500 ft (6,553 m) using 4-in. drillpipe or 15,000 ft (4,572 m) with 5-in. drillpipe in horizontal applications. It has an automated pipe handling system capable of drilling with double stands of 45-ft (14-m) joints. The biggest advantage with Range III drillpipe is that it allows faster tripping out of hole with one-third fewer connections, which means one-third fewer total joints to inspect. The rigs are capable of drilling to 10,000 ft (3,048 m) with 3.5-in. coil. With its 5,000-psi circulating system, the XTC 500 provides adequate volume, pressure, and redundancy for drilling with CT and in re-entry wells.
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