Case Study: Yurubcheno-Tokhomskoye Based Oil Company reduces mud losses and boosts production with SLB managed pressure drilling

Managed Pressure Drilling Reduces Mud Losses 83%, Increases Production 60% in Carbonate Formation

SLB worked with Yurubcheno-Tokhomskoye Based Oil Company in eastern Siberia to drill multilateral wells through a highly heterogeneous carbonate formation that suffered from severe lost circulation, kicks, and well-control risks. The operator’s challenge was to reach planned total depth while minimizing mud losses and avoiding the costly lost-circulation treatments that had previously slowed drilling and limited well completion.

SLB, through M-I SWACO, implemented an integrated multiphase managed pressure drilling solution using an RCD rotating control device, AUTOCHOKE precision choke console, SUPER MUD/GAS SEPARATOR, CARBONTRACKER gas flow measurement, and nitrogen injection with a lower-density drilling fluid. The result was all six planned laterals drilled to TD with zero NPT, mud losses cut 83% from 9,354 m3 to 1,619 m3, lost-circulation treatments eliminated, production increased 60% above expectations, and well construction time reduced by 30% versus conventional offset wells.