Case Study: a leading operating company achieves 14% higher ROP and USD 50,000 savings with SLB AxeBlade diamond element bit

Engineered drillbit increases ROP 14%, saving 21 h and USD 50,000 in West Kuwait well

SLB worked with a leading operating company drilling a 16-in vertical section through a hard limestone formation in West Kuwait. The customer needed to improve rate of penetration by 10 to 20% while dealing with high pore pressure, a gas kick zone, high torque, and very high rock strength, using a conventional bit that was limiting drilling efficiency.

SLB recommended an AxeBlade ridged diamond element bit, supported by performance simulation with the IDEAS integrated dynamic design and analysis platform. The bit drilled the full interval in one run, achieved a record ROP of 35.5 ft/h, increased average ROP by 14% versus an offset well, saved 21 hours of on-bottom drilling time, and cut drilling costs by USD 50,000.