Case Study: GeoPark achieves faster drilling and saves 6.23 days with SLB PowerDrive X6 vorteX RSS

GeoPark Saves 6.23 Days off AFE With PowerDrive X6 vorteX RSS in Llanos Basin Drilling Campaign

GeoPark worked with SLB on its Tua-10 well in Colombia’s Llanos basin to improve drilling efficiency on a high-displacement well. The main challenge was to increase performance without affecting service quality or final well cost, despite low rate of penetration from bit balling, poor hole cleaning in high-angle sections, and formations with high dip angles. The campaign included a planned J-type well with 12¼-in and 8¾-in sections.

SLB recommended a fit-for-purpose combination of PowerDrive X6 vorteX powered rotary steerable system, PowerPak HR motor, ROPO optimization software, and APWD monitoring, along with improved hole-cleaning procedures. This approach helped GeoPark reach total depth 6.23 days ahead of AFE, cut time by 37% versus plan, and drill 29% faster than the previous well in the campaign. The well also set a field record for powered RSS performance and became GeoPark’s fastest high-displacement well in the Llanos 34 campaign.