Case Study: Pertamina EP saves time and costs with SLB Direct XCD casing drilling

Pertamina EP Drills Through Lost Circulation Zone and Sets Casing with Direct XCD Bit, Indonesia

Pertamina EP worked with SLB to address severe lost circulation in the upper section of the Sanga-Sanga block onshore Indonesia, where previous wells could not set casing at the desired depth or reach TD in a single run. The formation included interbedded claystone, sandstone, and coal stringers, and total circulation loss in the upper interval made conventional drilling inefficient.

SLB recommended casing drilling using a 13 3/8-in × 17 1/2-in Direct XCD drillable alloy casing bit, allowing Pertamina EP to drill and run casing through the loss zone in one run and later drill out the bit with a 12 1/4-in PDC bit. The approach saved 4.75 days and USD 555,913, let the well reach TD 50 m deeper than planned, and set the 13 3/8-in casing point 221 m deeper than in previous wells.

Pertamina EP