Case Study: Shell achieves world-record footage and ROP with SLB’s AxeBlade bit

AxeBlade Bit Helps Shell Set Footage and ROP World Record with a Single Run

Shell worked with SLB to drill a long salt section offshore Louisiana while reducing torque, maintaining high rate of penetration, and building angle from 0° to 42°. The well plan called for a single-bit run through a 13,674-ft interval in the Gulf of Mexico, with a target of 275 ft/h and lower downhole torque.

SLB recommended a PowerDrive Orbit rotary steerable system with a 16½-in AxeBlade ridged diamond element bit, designed using the IDEAS platform for drilling salt more efficiently. The solution drilled the entire interval in one run, delivered 13,674 ft in 45 drilling hours at an average 305 ft/h, improved ROP 100% over the field median, and helped Shell set a 5,353-ft-in-24-hours deepwater Gulf of Mexico record.

Shell