Less tolerant of nonproductive time (NPT) than ever, operators are demanding daily drilling performance levels that years ago were considered record-breaking.
Historical drilling approaches used separate runs to drill the curve and the lateral, but drilling the “curvilateral” in one run is increasingly common. Drilling these shapes faster and with such precision that the wellbores are smooth while maximizing reservoir exposure requires highly engineered drill bits, optimized bottomhole assemblies (BHAs), and automation.
Alex Benson, product line director for drill bits in NOV’s Reed-Hycalog business unit, told JPT that customers in general are demanding more from drilling, particularly in US land unconventional resources.
“They’re putting more energy in the string. They’ve got more powerful rigs, more powerful pumps, more powerful everything,” he said, noting that translates into higher demands on bits and other elements in drilling operations. “Harder, faster, longer.
