Case Study: Offshore Mexico Company diagnoses water influx and confirms hydrocarbons with SLB’s Saturn 3D radial probe and MDT Forte-HT tester

Downhole fluid analysis disproves dry well concerns by identifying reserves and establishing crossflow as the water source, offshore Mexico

SLB worked with Offshore Mexico Company on a high-temperature exploration well in a deep, tight dual-porosity carbonate reservoir offshore Mexico. The customer needed accurate formation pressure measurements and fluid samples to understand reservoir fluids, identify possible compartmentalization, and determine whether a large water influx during drilling indicated a dry well or a construction issue.

SLB deployed the MDT Forte-HT modular formation dynamics tester with a dual-packer configuration and the 5-in Saturn 3D radial probe, along with the InSitu Fluid Analyzer for real-time downhole fluid analysis. The program delivered representative pressures and samples, identified near-critical gas, liquid hydrocarbons, and reservoir compartments, and showed that the water influx came from crossflow rather than a dry reservoir, enabling the operator to confirm hydrocarbon potential and adjust the completion plan.