Case Study: SOCAR achieves improved casing running and ECD control with SLB’s Rhino XC Reamer

Rhino XC Reamer Underreams Tophole Section of SOCAR Gas Storage Well in One Run

SLB worked with the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan, or SOCAR, to drill more than 20 new gas storage wells in the Garadagh field. The challenge was to drill a 17 1/2-in tophole section to total depth in a single run, keep the well straight and in gauge in soft formation, enlarge the hole for casing running, and maintain low equivalent circulating density.

SLB designed a bottomhole assembly using the Rhino XC on-demand hydraulically actuated reamer, a PowerPak straight hole motor, and a soft-formation roller cone bit. In Well 476, SLB drilled and underreamed the 989 m section in one run, enlarging the hole from 17 1/2 in to 20 in and activating the reamer eight times. The result was a high-quality in-gauge wellbore that improved casing running and reduced ECD, leading SOCAR to request SLB’s technology for other wells.

State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan