Case Study: a major operating company achieves 18% higher ROP and saves two days of drilling with SLB AxeBlade bit with Axe Ultra elements

Ridged Diamond Elements Improve ROP by 18% in Wolfcamp Formation

SLB worked with a major operating company in the Permian Basin, New Mexico, where the customer needed to drill a 2-mile 6¾-in lateral section across the Wolfcamp Formation in highly interbedded limestone and shale in a single run. A conventional bit had already suffered impact damage on the shoulder and required two runs, so the operator was looking for a more durable drilling solution.

SLB recommended an AxeBlade bit with Axe Ultra ridged diamond elements to improve impact resistance and bit life. With this solution, the major operating company drilled the entire lateral in one run at an average ROP of 89.3 ft/h, up from 75.4 ft/h with the conventional bit, delivering an 18% ROP improvement and saving two days of drilling time.