Slider Plus

Fully automated slide drilling system

APPLICATIONS
Automation of slide drilling to maximize
drilling efficiency in horizontal wells
BENEFITS
Increases ROP and reach capability by
sensing the amount of surface torque
needed to transfer the proper amount
of weight to the bit
Avoids stalling, which increases motor
life and reduces trips
Saves time with on-bottom toolface
correction
Reduces wellbore tortuosity, enabling
longer lateral sections and increasing
production potential
Provides additional skill at the rig site
without adding additional personnel
Saves time required to train rig personnel
FEATURES
Automated control of
torque
toolface
The Slider Plus* fully automated slide drilling system helps increase drilling efficiency in directional
and horizontal drilling operations performed with motors and MWD directional systems. With this
system in place, the directional driller simply enters the target toolface. Then, the Slider Plus system
takes over by automatically maintaining toolface within acceptable limits and optimizing sliding
ROPproviding more skill at the rig without adding more people.
The Slider Plus system is compatible with most rig types, including new and advanced rigs, and
requires minimal operational training for drillers.
Improve sliding efficiency and ROP
The Slider Plus systems automated surface rotation control increases the efficiency of motors and
MWD directional systemsmore than 250% in some casesduring the drilling of directional and
horizontal wells. The system applies oscillatory movements to the right and left at the topdrive during
sliding operations to steer the BHA. It uses torque readings as feedback for an automated system to
control the rocking movement.
Maximize drag reduction
As well profiles become more complex, they produce higher torque and drag. Moreover, the
downhole toolface orientation becomes harder to obtain. The Slider Plus system is able to handle
more challenging wells by using fully automated torque-rocking technology during sliding. This
technology enables the maximum amount of drag reduction while accurately controlling the
downhole toolface, which is achieved without pulling the bit off bottom to enhance ROP. The
system also enables steering of positive displacement motors in any direction without interrupting
the drilling process and works with any BHA, including bicenter bits.

pressure differential

hook load

Automatic determination of torque and

bumping set points
Compatibility with most rigs and topdrives
Optional advisory mode, enabling manual
rocking if desired

Slider Plus system automatically adjusts the rocking torque to the correct target toolface
determined by the directional driller.
Slider Plus
Bit depth, 0.0 Hook Load, 1,000 lbm 300.0 0.0 50.0
On-Bottom ROP, ft/h
ft
Aug 09, 2013 0.0 Rotary Speed, rpm
WOB, 1,000 lbm 125.0 0.0 218.0 0.0 Standpipe Pressure, psi 200.0
0.0 Toolface 300.0 0.0 43,581.0Rotary Torque 0.0 Differential Pressure, psi 800.0
13:28 12,326
12,330
12,334
13:32 12,338
12,342

13:36
12,341
13:40

13:44
12,341
12,343
13:48 12,342

12,343
13:52
12,344

13:56 12,345

12,346
14:00 12,347
12,348
Manual system slide
14:04 12,349 Average ROP= 22 ft/h
12,350
12,351
14:08
12,352

14:12 12,353

12,354
14:16
12,355
12,356
14:20
12,357 Less WOB
14:24 12,358
12,359
12,360
14:28 12,361
12,362
Slider Plus system slide
Average ROP= 36 ft/h
12,363
14:32 12,364
12,365
12,366
14:36 12,367
12,368 Good toolface control
14:40 12,369

12,370
14:44

Data shows the Slider Plus system helping improve the sliding ROP by 64% compared with a manual system.

Get torque-rocking technology

The Slider Plus system enables the drillstring to behave during sliding as if it
were rotating. The torque-rocking technology reduces drag with oscillatory
movements applied at the topdrive during sliding, using torque as the basic
feedback mechanism to control the rocking movement. Longitudinal drag can be
reduced from the surface down to the point where friction and imposed torque
are in balance. By manipulating the surface torque oscillations, this point can
be moved deep enough to make the reduction substantial. Similarly, reactive bit
torque produces vibrations and propagates back uphole from the motor to break
friction over the bottom section of the drillstring up to a point where it is also
balanced by friction. The reactive torque is also monitored by the system in the
sliding mode, avoiding much of the guesswork that existed in the past.

There is a middle section of the drillstring that is unaffected by rocking and

reactive torque. By continuously measuring torque, WOB, and penetration
rate while sliding, the Slider Plus system minimizes the length of the middle
sectionand, consequently, the longitudinal drag. The remaining drag is
minimized and kept constant to prevent the surface torque-rocking motion
from unintentionally changing the toolface and to increase sliding ROP.

slb.com/SliderPlus

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Copyright 2013 Schlumberger. All rights reserved. 13-PF-0072