Case Study: a large WBM drilling operating company saves over USD 100,000 per well with SLB's SILDRIL K shale inhibitor

SILDRIL K Shale Inhibitor Helps Save More Than USD 100,000 per Well in Operating Costs

SLB worked with a large WBM drilling operating company in western Alberta, Canada, that needed a cost-effective water-base mud system to drill an 8 3/4-in intermediate hole while maintaining shale inhibition, wellbore stability, and environmental compliance. The company wanted to replace its traditional oil-base mud approach in the intermediate section because the formation was prone to losses and dispersive behavior in WBM, which had led to lower performance and well failures.

SLB recommended the SILDRIL K potassium silicate shale inhibitor to deliver shale stability comparable to invert-emulsion mud while allowing drilling, casing running, and cementing in a water-base system. The three-well trial met the drill plan with no major operational issues, increased average ROP to 76 m/h, cut fluid costs by about USD 31,236 per well, and delivered approximately USD 100,000 in overall savings per well, along with about two days of rig-time savings and fewer losses.