Case Study: Offshore South America Company achieves higher ROP and reduced vibration with SLB’s StingBlock cutter block

StingBlock Cutter Block Improved HEWD Performance for Large-Bore Presalt Well Offshore South America

SLB worked with Offshore South America Company on a presalt exploration well offshore South America, where the operator needed to enlarge the borehole while minimizing shock and vibration through hard, abrasive, and interbedded igneous formations. The challenge was especially difficult in the long postsalt interval, where drilling could trigger high lateral vibration and stick/slip, threatening both efficiency and tool reliability.

SLB recommended the StingBlock advanced stabilization conical element cutter block in the Rhino integrated borehole enlargement system to improve cutter block durability, stability, and drilling performance. The run enlarged 294 m of hole at an average ROP of 5.25 m/h, exceeding the customer’s footage goal by 55% and delivering 110% higher ROP than offset runs, while also reducing shock, vibration, and stick/slip compared with the best prior performance.