Case Study: a Williston Basin based operating company achieves 10%+ higher drilling ROP with SLB’s AxeBlade bit with Axe SR elements

Scribe-Ridged Elements Increase Bit ROP on Average by More Than 10%

SLB worked with Williston Basin Based Operating Company, a Williston Basin operator drilling an 8¾-in vertical intermediate section in hard limestones mixed with anhydrites and sand. The company needed a durable bit that could drill as fast as possible while maintaining performance in this challenging formation.

SLB recommended a customized Smith Bits AxeBlade bit with Axe SR scribe-ridged diamond elements to improve durability and cutting efficiency. The solution increased average ROP by more than 10% versus the third-party baseline, with on-bottom ROP rising from 147 ft/h to 159 ft/h, 168 ft/h, and 175 ft/h in three runs.