Case Study: a leading drilling operating company reduces filtrate volume and rotational torque with SLB's M-I SWACO drilling fluid solutions

Optimized Workflow Reduces Filtrate Volume and Rotational Torque in Reactive Interbedded Formation

SLB worked with a leading drilling operating company in Montana, USA, that was drilling core holes through loam, sandstone, clay, shale, and reactive interbedded formations with alternating talc and clay stringers. The customer needed to improve drilling performance in difficult, hydratable, and reactive strata while controlling torque and maintaining hole stability.

SLB, using M-I SWACO products and engineering support, replaced and optimized the drilling fluid package with PLATINUM LUBE, PLATINUM PAC and PLATINUM PAC UL, POLY-PLUS variants, RINGFREE, and MAX GEL. This immediately improved drilling efficiency, cutting topdrive hydraulic pressure from above 3,500 psi to below 2,400 psi and reducing filtrate volume by about 65%, from 1.10–1.22 in3 to 0.37–0.49 in3. The result was lower rotational torque, better hole cleaning and stability, all holes reaching target depth and size, and lower overall drilling and disposal costs.