Case Study: Gazprom Neft achieves faster permafrost drilling with SLB XCD casing-while-drilling

First-Time Casing-While-Drilling Operation in Permafrost Eliminates Surface Casing Drillout Run

Gazprom Neft, through Gazpromneft-Zapolyarye, needed to reduce drilling time and avoid potential damage while drilling in permafrost, including the challenge of using 16¾-in casing for the first time and sourcing uncommon torque ring sizes on time. SLB provided the XCD casing-while-drilling (CWD) alloy casing bit to support drilling a vertical well to total depth in one run.

SLB used the XCD bit and locally manufactured torque rings to complete this first-time casing-while-drilling operation in permafrost, with nearly 200 torque rings delivered a week before drilling began. The well was drilled from surface to TD in about 60 hours, covering nearly 524 m, and the approach saved at least several days by eliminating additional wipe trips and a dedicated casing drillout run while minimizing exposure time in the permafrost.

Gazprom Neft