Case Study: a leading operating company saves USD 7 million and 64 drilling days with SLB's StingBlade bit

StingBlade Bit Reduces Rig Time by 64 Days and Saves USD 7,000,000, Ecuador

SLB worked with a leading operating company in Ecuador’s East Basin, where the customer needed to drill more than 4,000 ft through a hard, interbedded 12¼-in section across 38 wells in a single run. The main challenge was maintaining cutter integrity in the abrasive Tiyuyacu Formation to avoid bit damage and repeated bit trips.

SLB proposed the StingBlade conical diamond element bit, designed with Stinger elements, optimized hydraulics, and vibration-control features using the IDEAS platform. The new bit improved dull condition, increased average ROP by 33% versus AFE, eliminated bit trips, and saved 64 drilling days across 38 wells, delivering an estimated USD 7,000,000 in rig-time savings.