Case Study: Apache saves USD 12.3 million and boosts expected oil recovery by 11% with SLB geosteering and surveying solutions

Apache Saves USD 12.3 Million and Increases Expected Oil Recovery by 11% Offshore Australia

SLB worked with Apache to help develop the Coniston field offshore Australia, where the challenge was to precisely geosteer six wells with 15 laterals through a thin 5–10 m oil column while maintaining the right standoff from the oil/water contact and avoiding nearby wells. The project required highly accurate, real-time boundary and TVD data to manage extended-reach drilling risks and place the well paths optimally.

SLB used a customized geosteering bottomhole assembly with the WellDefined drilling survey services, GeoSphere reservoir mapping-while-drilling, PeriScope bed boundary mapping, and EcoScope multifunction LWD service. This approach extended the laterals by 4,276 m, improved expected oil recovery by 11%, and helped Apache finish 13 days ahead of schedule while saving USD 12.3 million.