Case Study: a large drilling service provider achieves near-real-time formation evaluation and completion optimization with SLB LithoFlex

Marcellus Shale Operator Receives At-Surface Formation Evaluation in Near-Real Time

SLB worked with a large drilling service provider drilling a lateral well in the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania. The customer needed to assess rock and fluid heterogeneity in a complex lithology while drilling, so it could stay in zone and better plan completion and fracturing.

SLB recommended the LithoFlex multifactor shale-cuttings evaluation-while-drilling service to analyze cuttings at surface in near real time. The solution provided at-surface lithology characterization outside the critical drilling path, identified brittle zones and formation tops, and located zones with optimal production potential. It also confirmed the lateral was landed in the target zone and highlighted intervals drilled out of zone through changes in mineralogy and TOC.