Case Study: Shell achieves record salt drilling performance and USD 1.1 million savings with SLB integrated drilling solutions

Integrated Drilling Approach Saves Shell USD 1.1 Million, Achieves Record 275-ft/h ROP Salt Drilling Performance

Shell worked with SLB in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico’s Atwater Valley field on the Deep Sleep well, where the challenge was to maximize penetration rates while maintaining maximum borehole quality during salt drilling. SLB supported the effort with an integrated drilling solution that included data-driven BHA design and use of the IDEAS integrated drillbit design platform, along with a directional PDC bit and vertical drilling RSS.

SLB and Shell engineered a drilling approach to push closer to technical limits, optimize WOB and rpm, and streamline workflows such as survey frequency and hole-cleaning practices. The result was a record average on-bottom ROP of 275 ft/h, instantaneous ROP of 350 to 390 ft/h, and 4,230 ft drilled in 24 hours, helping Shell reach section TD 1.4 days ahead of plan and save USD 1.1 million, while achieving 52% higher average ROP than the best offset well.

Shell

John Cook

Drilling Superintendent