Case Study: Saudi Aramco achieves record 4,747-ft drilling section with SLB casing-while-drilling and PowerDrive Xceed

Saudi Aramco Drills Record 4,747-ft Section, Achieves Directional Objectives Using Casing-Drilling Service

Saudi Aramco needed to drill a deep, highly deviated 12¼-in section through interbedded limestone, shale, and abrasive sand and siltstone in Saudi Arabia, where offset wells had experienced hole problems. SLB supported the operation with an integrated casing-while-drilling approach, combining the Allegro CD directional casing-while-drilling service with the PowerDrive Xceed RSS to meet the drilling and directional objectives.

SLB used extensive preplanning, simulations, and risk management to design the solution, including feasibility studies for torque, drag, hydraulics, and shock and vibration. The team drilled 4,747 ft in the section, setting an SLB record for Middle East footage, achieved the planned directional profile with a maximum dogleg of 2.77°/100 ft, retrieved the BHA three times without issues, and reported no hole problems or HSE incidents.

Saudi Aramco