Case Study: an Ecuador-based operating company drills Ecuador’s longest 12¼-in section in a single run with SLB’s Intra LUBE, PowerDrive RSS, and StingBlade bit

Encapsulated Lubricant Helps Drill Longest 12¼-in Section in Ecuador in a Single Run

SLB worked with an Ecuador Based Operating Company drilling onshore in the Oriente Basin to help increase production in two fields while safely and economically drilling through six challenging formations. The operator faced hole cleaning, hole stability, torque, drag, torsional vibration, and tool durability issues, including a long planned 12¼-in section and 700 ft of abrasive conglomerate.

SLB combined Intra LUBE encapsulated lubricant with the PowerDrive rotary steerable system and a StingBlade conical diamond element bit to reduce friction and improve drilling performance. The operator drilled 8,613 ft in a single run at 154.13 ft/h, setting the longest 12¼-in section in Ecuador, achieving the highest effective ROP in the section, and delivering the best casing running performance in the campaign.