Case Study: Bakken Operating Company achieves 25% higher ROP and 30% lower intermediate drilling costs with SLB EnduraDril fluid

EnduraDril Fluid Improves ROP and Reduces Drilling Hours by 25%

Bakken Operating Company wanted to drill the entire intermediate section of a well with a produced-brine water-based mud instead of oil-based mud, but the high divalent ion content of the produced water made it difficult to formulate a fluid with the needed performance. SLB recommended EnduraDril inhibitive divalent water-based drilling fluid to help meet the drilling challenge.

SLB implemented EnduraDril fluid across 14 intermediate sections, where it outperformed OBM in the vertical section and matched OBM in the curve while avoiding a bit trip. The result was about a 25% increase in ROP, 24% fewer on-bottom hours, up to 66% higher ROP from surface shoe to kickoff point, and a 30% reduction in total intermediate-section costs, along with improved safety by eliminating confined-space entry for pit cleaning.