Case Study: Malaysia Oil Company achieves optimized sampling and unexpected oil layer detection with SLB FlairFlex

Real-Time Fluid Logging and Analysis Service Reveals Unexpected Oil Layer, Offshore Malaysia

SLB worked with Malaysia Oil Company on a wildcat exploration well offshore Sarawak, Malaysia, where budget cuts had reduced the planned formation evaluation program. The company needed a cost-effective way to obtain early, high-quality reservoir fluid information to guide sampling decisions for future appraisal wells, and SLB’s FlairFlex real-time fluid logging and analysis service was used to provide that insight while drilling.

SLB recommended optimizing the sampling plan using FlairFlex at-surface fluid analysis, which revealed a thick light-fluid column over a sandstone interval and identified heavier components indicating liquid hydrocarbons. The service helped confirm gas over light oil, flag a water-bearing zone below, and detect an unexpected thin heavy oil layer, leading the operator to add a downhole sampling station. The collected sample and later full PVT analysis confirmed the FlairFlex interpretation, accurately identifying the gas-oil and oil-water contacts and improving the sampling program.