Case Study: BP saves 48 hours of rig time with SLB Rhino XS reamer and WELL COMMANDER valve

BP Saves 48 Hours of Rig Time in Complex Underreaming Operation

BP needed to underream a 6½-in rathole to 8 in offshore Azerbaijan while also performing effective high-flow-rate hole cleaning and mud conditioning before a completion run. The challenge was that circulation had to continue with a Rhino XS reamer inside casing, but the reamer arms could not be allowed to open and damage the casing ID.

SLB recommended drilling and underreaming with directional tools below a Rhino XS hydraulically expandable reamer, paired with a 5-in WELL COMMANDER ball-activated drilling circulating valve above the reamer to bypass flow and keep the cutter arms collapsed, plus a separate 7-in WELL COMMANDER valve for later circulation. The operation completed successfully with 21 hours of circulation at up to 700 galUS/min, saved BP 48 hours of rig time, and set a standard BHA for future wells on at least two other BP offshore platforms.

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