Case Study: Gazprom Neft reduces severe mud loss by 50% with SLB OptiWell service

Vietgazprom Reduces Severe Mud Loss by 50% in Exploration Well Using OptiWell Service

Gazprom Neft was drilling an exploration well in the Nam Con Son basin and faced severe mud loss while crossing a thick carbonate section with an unknown loss-zone profile. SLB supported the project with its OptiWell well construction performance service to analyze well data and help identify the thickness and location of the loss zones.

Using SLB’s OptiWell service, the team developed an LCM strategy, monitored the effect of LCM pills in real time, and applied higher-concentration pills and a FORM-A-BLOK high-performance lost circulation pill to the fractured carbonate. The approach reduced mud losses by 50% while opening the well to 20 in., cutting losses from 50–140 bbl/h in the pilot hole to 20–70 bbl/h in the hole-opening phase, and the section was drilled, logged, opened, and cased on schedule.

Gazprom Neft