Case History

Directional Drilling

Turbopower ASD Turbodrills

Save an Estimated Two
Weeks of Rig Time
Location: South Andean Foothills,
South Bolivia

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OPERATORS CHALLENGE The operator of a field

in south Bolivia planned to drill a gas well in the South
Andean Foothills through a Devonian formation of fractured

Sperry Drilling drilled a total of 1,125 meters (3,691 feet)

sandstone, siltstone and shale. The overthrust faults and

back-to-back across the 8-1/2-inch and 6-inch hole sizes to total

stressed formations are prone to bit-sticking and, typically, it

depth of 5,636 meters (18,491 feet) with ZERO non-productive

is difficult to maintain the well path in such applications.

time. Five runs using two 6--inch and one 4--inch ASD
turbodrills delivered an average rate of penetration (ROP) of 2.65

Halliburton was challenged to provide a safe drilling solution to

meters/hr (8.69 feet/hr).

drill long intervals across all Devonian lithologies without any

bit-sticking issues.

ECONOMIC VALUE CREATED The Turbopower ASD

turbodrills delivered the long 1,125-meter (3,691-ft) section on

HALLIBURTONS SOLUTION Historically, in areas

the planned well path (without sidetracks), a first for turbine

with overthrust faults and high formation dip, turbines with

drilling in Bolivia. The high ROP of 2.65 meters/hr (8.69 feet/

diamond impregnated bits do not drill the long shale intervals

hr) over such a long interval was also a first in the country. All

well. In this case, Sperry Drilling services supplied 4-3/4-inch

lithologies were drilled without any significant change in ROP

and 6-3/4-inch Turbopower ASD turbodrills with anti-sticking

and no bit-sticking incidents were experienced.

device technology which helps prevent bit-sticking in such

severe conditions.

The versatility of the turbines to drill varied formations and

lithologies over long intervals is also unique for Bolivia. Mixed

ASD turbodrills allow the use of short gauge pin up bits, which

lithologies are commonly drilled with turbines, but not long

generally reduces the risk associated with bit sticking in problem

shale intervals.

formations. In addition, the short gauge bit eliminates the need

for expensive bit sleeves and the same bits can also be run on

Based on regional offset performances, it is estimated Sperry

motors if required, removing the need for special turbine bits.

Drilling saved the operator two weeks of drilling time (including

trips). But compared to the closest offset well in the same block,

Turbopower ASD turbodrill

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the Turbopower ASD turbodrills drilled 21 percent more footage over

alternative to the traditional incumbent supplier. Immediately

the same number of runs, and drilled 56 percent faster, resulting in

following delivery of the 8-1/2-inch hole section, another client in

a higher number of rig days saved. Moreover, on the offset well, the

the area changed their drilling plan and decided to use the same

competitor had to trip out of the hole three times for reasons related to

ASD turbodrill configuration.

the drive, whereas Sperry turbodrills had no failures.

With these first two wells, Sperry Drilling has demonstrated to the
Bolivian market that Turbopower turbodrills are a competitive

Application: Gas well in foothills

Tool/BHA: T120 and T172 ASD turbodrills

Objective: Drill long 8-1/2-inch and 6-inch intervals on plan without

bit-sticking issues

Depth Out: 5,636 meters (18,491 feet)

Footage: 1,125 meters (3,691 feet)

Formation Type: Fractured sandstone, siltstone and shales

Total Operating Hours: 657 hrs

Interval: 8-1/2 inch and 6-inch

Average ROP: 2.65 meters/hr (8.69 feet/hr)

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between Halliburton and the customer that is applicable to the sale.
H010323 07/13
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