Case Study: Northern California Power Agency drills 25% farther in 600°F geothermal wells with SLB's Kaldera bit

Kaldera Bit Drills Geothermal Well Section 25% Farther for Northern California Power Agency

SLB worked with Northern California Power Agency to drill an 8½-in geothermal well section in the high-temperature environment of The Geysers in northern California. The challenge was to drill at least 600 ft through fractured sandstone at temperatures of 500 to 600 degF while avoiding the short bit life and frequent trips caused by bearing failure in the open roller bearing bits being used.

SLB addressed the problem by running an 8½-in Kaldera roller cone drill bit for high-temperature and geothermal applications. The bit drilled from 7,233 ft to 8,005 ft in 49 hours, extending bit life by 14 hours and increasing run length by 25%, or about 150 ft, compared with offset wells.

Northern California Power Agency