Case Study: an Ecuador-based operating company achieves faster, stable drilling in the Oriente Basin with SLB’s HydraGlyde drilling fluid system

High-performance water-based drilling fluid system enables drilling three wells in less than 3 weeks, onshore Ecuador

SLB worked with an Ecuador based operating company drilling in the Oriente Basin, where reactive shales and clays caused wellbore instability, torque and motor issues, difficult backreaming, and casing and liner running problems in the 12¼- and 8½-inch sections. The company needed a way to reduce these risks while drilling three wells efficiently.

SLB’s M-I SWACO team implemented the HydraGlyde high-performance water-based drilling fluid system to mimic the benefits of oil-based mud while reducing environmental impact and dilution costs. The three wells were drilled to TD without wellbore instability issues, all in less than three weeks, with field records set for pulling out of hole at over 561 ft/h and setting casing at over 482 ft/h, and the liner and logging runs completed without issues.