Case Study: Tecpetrol achieves stable high-density drilling with SLB’s Megadril system

MEGADRIL Allows The Operator to Drill Successfully With High MW and Lower Oil-Water Ratio

SLB worked with MegaDrill on the CLX-1 exploration well in North Argentina, where the operator needed an oil-based drilling fluid that could handle high density in a pressurized zone while starting with a low oil/water ratio to cut diesel use. The goal was also to convert a previously used conventional OBM into a fluid with better rheology and the right stability for the planned well.

SLB recommended converting the recycled Versadril oil-base fluid into a Megadril system using Megamul stabilizer, emulsifier, and wetting agent. The converted mud maintained stable properties throughout drilling, cementing, and casing, controlled losses in poorly consolidated sands with LCM, and kept OWR around 70/30 for much of the well, later adjusting to 75/25 and higher ES values as needed. SLB reported lower diesel consumption, improved fluid properties, better HTHP filtration, and trouble-free casing run and cementing.

MegaDrill

Miguel Velez

Project Engineer