Case Study: Field Offshore Operating Company improves ROP and minimizes losses with SLB’s RheGuard fluid system

RheGuard Fluid System Improves ROP in 2,472-m, High-Angle Interval Offshore Norway

SLB worked with Field Offshore Operating Company to drill a 2,472-m, high-angle 12¼-in intermediate section offshore Norway while minimizing equivalent circulating density, barite sag, and losses during casing and cementing. The operator needed a fluid system that could support higher drilling rates and still manage the risks of a deviated well in a mature field.

SLB recommended the RheGuard low-ECD invert-emulsion fluid system with the MicroBar micronized weighting additive. The system delivered zero losses while drilling, strong hole cleaning, and stable low rheology, helping Field Offshore Operating Company exceed its 15.0 m/h ROP target with an average ROP of 16.3 m/h and an average instantaneous ROP of 27.05 m/h, reaching a maximum of 52.6 m/h. The well was completed with only 25 m3 of cumulative losses, full returns during cementing, and minimal mud-density reduction before running casing.