Case Study: Newfield Exploration completes a narrow-window Woodford Shale well with SLB managed pressure drilling

@balance Service Enables Completion of Well with Narrow Operating Window, Woodford Shale

Newfield Exploration Co. was drilling a horizontal Woodford Shale well in Stephens County, Oklahoma, but ran into a narrow operating window with high-pressure gas entering below the casing shoe while losses occurred in the producing formation. SLB, through M-I SWACO and its Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) equipment and services, was brought in to help complete the well.

SLB installed a HOLD RCD and AUTOCHOKE and used VIRTUAL HYDRAULICS to model the well and maintain near-constant bottomhole pressure. Mud weight was reduced from 13.2 ppg to 12.5 ppg and up to 900 psi of annular pressure was applied during connections, with 1,000 psi held while stripping out. The well was successfully drilled and completed to total depth without non-productive time from losses or influxes, and the operator was able to finish drilling, tripping, and cementing within the operating window.

Newfield Exploration Co.

Colby Wilson

Senior Drilling Engineer