SPE/IADC 118809

Beyond the Technical Limit: TurbodrillingA Paradigm Shift to World

Class Horizontal Well Construction
Todd Mushovic, BP; David Shuler, Smith Bits; and Raymond J . Morlock and David Conroy, Smith Neyrfor

Copyright 2009, SPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1719 March 2009.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE/IADC program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have
not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers or the International Association of Drilling Contractors and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not
necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers or the International Association of Drilling Contractors, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or
storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers or the International Association of Drilling Contractors is prohibited. Permission to
reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE/IADC copyright.


Abstract
Drilling horizontal gas wells in a mature area of southeastern Oklahomas Arkoma Basin recently has become operationally
feasible. This was achieved as a result of a systematic approach to identifying the best combinations of technology and
operating procedures to reduce flat time as a means of minimizing the wells overall cost and improving drilling efficiencies.
This efficiency initiative was considered an urgent issue because the project was in its infancy, and drilling engineers needed
to quickly prove feasibility. Horizontals in one Middle Atokan formation are now clearly feasible but lateral drilling in
another Middle Atokan formation produced marginal results and requires additional optimization.

To achieve the efficiency goal, the Team outlined the following application objectives

Reduce BHA troubles/problems and PDM failures
Reduce the need to trip for bit dulls and roller cone bit drilling hour limitations
Eliminate fishing for lost cones
Produce a smoother wellbore
Eliminate reamer trip for liner run

To meet these objectives, the Team discussed alternative drilling system approaches, and the drilling team concluded that the
use of turbodrilling and impregnated bit technologies offered the most promising approach. The new higher RPM drilling
system was run with outstanding results. Since the initial implementation of the impreg bit/turbodrill, the drilling team has
completed the entire lateral with one bit, thereby eliminating up to six trips for replacing bits and/or tool failures. The
reduction in tripping is due to using a turbine-powered drive system with substantially longer downhole life compared to a
PDM and the impregnated bits ability to finish the hole section and still have an intact cutting structure. This solved the bit
trip problems resulting from the limited numbers of hours per bit and the lost cone issues with 6-1/8 TCI bits (30 hrs) and
short PDC bit runs due to excessive cutter wear. Additionally, the turbines smooth drilling action and resulting vibration
reduction have significantly reduced the failure rate of expensive downhole tools. With the new turbodrill/impreg
combination, 10-day runs have become the new benchmark, performance that PDMs with PDC bits could rarely achieve.

Introduction
Escalating natural gas prices and industry demands have caused operators to reevaluate the feasibility of drilling extended
reach horizontal wells in a mature area of the Arkoma Basin in southeastern Oklahoma (Figure 1). The Latimer County field
produces dry gas from Middle Atokan sandstone reservoirs and a Champlanian formation (Figure 2). The Simpson pay zone
is a relatively thin (100 ft), hard (35,000 psi UCS) formation the team planned to drill horizontally. Production from the
Champlanian reservoir is achieved by employing a directed open-hole fracture treatment, which leaves the lower formation
untouched. The Middle Atokan formations are also relatively thin (100 ft), 10,000-35,000 psi UCS sandstone with a high
abrasion factor, which were also planned to drill horizontally through these sections to facilitate fracture stimulation.

Historical Perspective
The Team previously attempted to drill the regions horizontal prospects with a variety of PDC/impreg/TCI bits with PDMs,
but with limited success. Rotary steerable systems were not an option due to higher tool rental expense, relatively low
reliability (compared with more conventional directional systems) and the economic risks of losing the tool in the hole. The
challenge was to efficiently drill the remaining portion of the build interval, landing the well horizontally in the Simpson
2 SPE/IADC 118809
formation and extend the reach of the horizontal wellbore to its maximum extent. Proper wellbore trajectory/placement was
critical to ensure that the fracture stimulation would maximize production from the reservoir.

Solutions
Drawing on experience from a nearby Grady County field, the Team recommended selection of a turbodrill system with an
impregnated bit, used in conjunction with MWD/LWD, to improve drilling efficiency on Well #S1 (Simpson lateral). The
turbodrill, which consists of a multi-stage turbine power section plus a directional bearing section (Figure 3) offered several
advantages over using a conventional PDM (independent of bit selection) including higher mechanical horsepower, higher
RPM, more uniform torque and excellent directional control. The turbodrill would also contribute to improved wellbore
quality, while significantly reducing downhole drilling vibrations. Although the team had no direct offset information, the
Simpson formation in the area is known to be a laterally continuous, homogeneous formation and thus well-suited for
turbodrill/impreg drilling based on the Grady County vertical well offset data. The impreg bit and turbodrill on this initial
trial were both from a single service provider and were performance-matched for optimum performance.

Initial Results (Simpson Program)
The proposed BHA, with an upgraded impregnated cutting structure and optimized turbodrill unit, was run out of 7-5/8
casing with excellent results. Using this new turbodrilling system, the drilling team was able to build from 70 to 90 before
landing the wellbore horizontally and drilling to a TMD of 15,050 ft with only three bits, two fewer than required to drill the
Simpson in the Grady County offset.

On the next horizontal well (Wells #S2), the team again employed the high RPM drilling method, but used an alternative
impregnated bit and PDC, on a turbodrill and a conventional PDM drive system, respectively. The alternative impreg
stopped drilling after just 130 ft and the alternative PDC suffered a catastrophic failure after making just 16 ft of hole with the
PDM drive system. To finish the lateral section, the team considered running a roller cone bit but the possibility of losing a
cone caused engineers to select a new-style turbodrill/impreg (K505Z) BHA to efficiently complete the shortened interval
with less risk. This optimized turbodrilling system was run in hole at 13,216 ft MD and made a total of 1,834 ft with five
impreg bits to TD at 15,050 ft MD, an average of 367 ft/bit. The turbodrill was optimized for directional response by
shortening the one power section for increased flexibility, while the impreg bit was downsized to the standard 6-1/8 to take
advantage of the full suite of available design options.

The next well (Wells #S3) was drilled with a redesigned impreg bit with the shorter turbodrill system. This system gave the
Team the ability to pump more flow, with the same pressure drop across the tool. Thus the turbine was also turning at a
higher RPM and operating at a higher mechanical horsepower. The redesigned impreg bit increased durability and provided a
longer life due to an increase in diamond and material volume. The new bit also increased overall ROP due to the more
passive design profile that reduces stall time leading to less time off bottom and more time spent actually drilling hole. The
new passive bit profile increased bit life allowing more footage drilled which increases overall ROP.

Middle Atokan Program
Based on this successful Simpson lateral work, the drilling team moved to optimize the Middle Atokan horizontal drilling
programs. On the previous Atokan horizontal well (Well #MA1), the Team used four PDMs plus four PDCs to complete the
lateral section, to the detriment of drilling efficiencies. The drilling team discussed the well objectives in the new Atokan
field horizontal program, beginning with Well #MA2 and concluded that the well could be drilled with a single
turbine/impreg BHA utilizing experience gained from the previous horizontal wells (Well #S1 & Well #S2). This was a bold
objective but, if successful, would result in significant well efficiencies and reduce time-to-production. The turbodrill BHA
was RIH at 9,846 ft MD and completed the entire lateral section to a TD of 11,000 ft MD with the optimized single short
turbine and a new, more aggressive impregnated bit design (K703).

World Class Results
Based on Well #MA2 drilling efficiencies additional efficiencies could be captured in the Middle Atokan horizontal program.
Therefore, the turbodrill/impreg BHA was run on Well #MA3, again with outstanding results, drilling a total of 2,660 ft to a
TD of 11,111 ft MD at 11.5 ft/hr. Once again, the horizontal was completed with a single turbodrill/impreg BHA. On Well
#MA4, the remaining build and lateral sections were also drilled with a single turbodrilling assembly from 9,349 ft to 12,050
ft at 9.7 ft/hr through hard and abrasive sandstone. The exceptional performance qualified as a new Oklahoma slimhole
record for total footage (2,701 ft) significantly improving drilling performance vs. plan.

Building on this experience, the BHA was run-in-hole on Well #MA5 and turbodrilled from 8,868 ft to 11,640 ft (2,772 ft) at
10.6 ft/hr through hard, abrasive sandstone setting a new national footage record. After evaluation, a second run deepened
the well 336 ft to 11,976 ft, setting a new world cumulative footage record for 6-1/8 impregnated bits. Finally, the
turbodrill/impreg BHA was utilized on Well #MA6 and drilled 3,304 ft down to 11,125 ft at an impressive ROP of 22.5 ft/hr,
setting new world records for 6-1/8 impregnated bit single run footage and penetration rate (Figure 4). The new footage
SPE/IADC 118809 3
record is 923 feet more than the old mark of just 2,381 ft, an increase of 39%. The new ROP record represents a 16%
increase over the old penetration rate benchmark of just 19.4 ft/hr.

Turbodrill: Historical
There were two standard turbodrill configurations available for these wells: 1) an extended power section containing 147
stages with a standard number of mechanical and hydraulic bearings; 2) a standard shorter power section consisting of only
99 stages and the same standard bearing section configuration. The issues with these to two tool configurations were due to
the limited number of hydraulic bearings and the limits of their loading which is currently measured by Pressure Velocity
Unit. The current allowable PVU limit is a 3.0. Because of these facts the limit of the tools on the first few wells was not
defined by rig pressure which is typical for turbines, but by the internal configuration limitations. To compensate for this
irregularity, the drilling team agreed on a planned test to exceed the limits and also redesign the configuration to sustain the
new parameters.

Turbodrill Optimization
Both types of wells in the Middle Atokan formations were approached in the same manner, basically by converting as much
hydraulic energy provided by the drilling rig's mud pumps to mechanical energy in the form of rotation and torque directly at
the drill bit. This was achieved by running the 99 blade power section and flowing at the highest available parameters. This
also provided a directional advantage since, by running a short turbodrill, the drilling team was able to get the MWD/LWD
tool closer to the bit. This was the starting point for the following optimizations:

Well #MA2: this was the first turbine run through the section. It was used as a baseline for future wells. The
Atokan sandstone section was encountered at 9,848 ft MD and drilled for 1,152 ft at 8.6 ft/hr. The baseline turbine
was a 4-3/4 short motor section with 99 blades and a standard configuration bearing section. The power output for
this tool was 1,373 rpm and 604 ft/lbs of torque with a 5.36 hHP/in
2
at 216 gpm with a 11.5 ppg mud weight.
Drilling performance was comparable to a PDC/PDM combination, but with no flat time due to trips.

Well #MA3: the second run through this field was through the Atokan sandstone that dips at all depths down to the
south (i.e. 180 plus or minus 10-20 azimuth). At the top reservoir, dips at about 10 with an azimuth of 165. The
well was further complicated because the Atokan could be depleted. This horizontal section in length was 2,660 ft,
drilled at 10 ft/hr. The step change in this well was due to the extended length power section consisting of 147
blades with a standard bearing section. The power output for this tool was 1,335 rpm and 640 ft/lbs of torque with a
5.52 hHP/in2 at 210gpm with a 10ppg mud weight. This BHA created a step change in performance, setting a new
field and state record for footage drilled.

Well #MA4: the second run was through this Atokan sandstone, with a formation tendency where the dips are down
to the NNE at an average azimuth of 20 +/- 10-20 from surface to the "E" Marker, causing the well to drift
naturally to the SSW. At the top of the reservoir, dip varies locally between 2-6 at an azimuth averaging 90 degrees.
Also, the operated noted that the Atokan sandstone could be depleted. The section was 2,701 ft, which was drilled
at 9.7 ft/hr. This again broke the field and state record and also set a hemisphere record for footage in a single run.
The turbine configuration was unchanged because the team wanted to verify consistency and repeatability.

Well #MA5: this was another Atokan sandstone well with dips at all depths that are down to the south, i.e., 180 plus
or minus 10-20 azimuth. The reservoir dip is about 6.5 with an azimuth of 190 degrees. This well consisted of
two turbodrill runs, the first being a finish to the build section. This turbodrill achieved 10 deg/100ft build with a
1.0 bent housing bearing section and Impreg bit and the assembly was run from 92 to 99 degrees. Run #1 drilled
2,772 ft at 10.6 ft/hr. Again resetting the bar for the previous records. The same bit was rerun on run #2 for another
336 ft at 10.3 ft/hr. This was paradigm shift into world class turbodrilling performance, setting a new world
cumulative footage record of 3,108 ft all made possible by changing the turbodrill parameters. The tool was
determined to be capable of handling increased weight on bit due to the increase in hHP. This additional WOB
would offset some of the hydraulic thrust contributing to a lower PVU, thereby allowing the team to increase the
flow rate when WOB is applied. This new flow rate increased the power output from 5.36 hHP/in
2
to a 7.58 hHP/in
2

which translated into a 33% ROP improvement (Figure 5 based on the 24 hrs of original flow vs 24 hrs of the new
flow).

Well#MA6; this well represented a new advancement to world class drilling in an Atokan sandstone well with dips
in the neighborhood of 15 down to the NNE at an average azimuth of about 5 from surface, giving the well a
strong tendency to drift to the SSE. Based upon the drift observed in the two nearest offset wells, drift expectations
were to have a shallow drift tendency with an inclination of 3 at a 194 azimuth. The reservoir dip is around 14 at
a 360 azimuth. This well had 3304 ft drilled at 16.84 ft/hr, which set a new Single Run Footage world record for an
impreg bit. This well utilized the same turbine power section configuration with 147 blades, but it incorporated a
4 SPE/IADC 118809
new design in bearing section capitalizing on an increased number of hydraulic bearings, giving the ability to pump
at higher flow rates with no adverse consequences.

Impreg Design Developments
The application range of diamond impregnated drill bit technology continues to expand into lithologies traditionally drilled
with roller cone bits or PDC bits.
1,2,3,5
Historically, application of impregnated drill bits has been restricted to deep intervals
that contain mainly hard and abrasive sandstone. Conversely, PDC bits perform best in relatively softer, non-abrasive rock.
This left a common sequence of formations, hard abrasive sandstone interbedded with soft shale, that team believed were best
drilled with either roller cone or PDC bits. However, neither of the two choices has consistently delivered satisfactory
performance in terms of penetration rate and bit life. Extensive field development tests were conducted that resulted in an
optimized diamond impregnated bit that provided a unique advantage for drilling the areas formations more efficiently. The
authors outline the new impregnated technology and turbine configuration changes in the context of the Middle Atokan
sandstone horizontal applications (Figures 6A, 6B, 6C & 6D). These figures illustrate the configuration changes that led to
significant and well documented performance improvements.

Project Results
The exemplary performance proved the consistency and predictability of the turbodrill/impreg combination and resulted in
the paradigm shift in how best to drill these horizontal wells, first by creating a performance step-change then a further move-
up to achieve world-class drilling performance (Figure 7). The BHA system, including the turbodrill/Impreg combination,
saved the team 57.5 cumulative drilling days compared to a positive displacement motor BHA. Future optimization
programs will focus on achieving further ROP gains without sacrificing run length or reliability.

Conclusions
High power turbodrills deployed in eastern Oklahomas Arkoma Basin with new style impregnated bits drill the
Middle Atokan and Champlanian horizontal sections more efficiently than drilling with a PDM and PDC/roller cone
bits.

Turbodrill design optimization and configuration changes were an integral part of the performance improvement that
led to new state, national, hemisphere, and finally world drilling records.

Properly balanced impregnated bit materials, which resulted in excellent diamond retention and exposure, coupled
with new geometric design developments, have improved durability, thereby increasing footage drilled and ROP in
the subject area compared to using PDC and roller cone bits.

Finally, the performance improvement was the result of a highly motivated drilling team (operator and service
personnel) working together, sharing risks and applying new technologies to solve complex drilling challenges.

Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank management at BP and Smith Technologies for permission to publish this paper. Special
thanks to Craig Fleming, Smith Bits, for his technical writing and editorial contributions. Finally, thanks to the SPE/IADC
editorial selection committee for giving us the opportunity to present our work at the Amsterdam Drilling Conference.

References
1. Botelho, R., Barreto, J ., Bello, S., Anato, W., Uzcategui G.: Drilling Optimization at the Aloctono Block in
Venezuela with the Utilization of Latest Technologies in Impregnated Bits and Turbines paper SPE 99602
presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas USA, 24-27 Sept 2006.
2. Heywood, C., Currie, A., Robson, D., Casey, P.: Recent Material and Geometrical Changes in Impreg Technology
on Turbine Drive Lead to Reduced Drilling Costs in Hard Rock Application paper SPE/IADC 97443 presented at
the SPE/IADC Middle East Drilling Technology Conference & Exhibition, Dubai, UAE, 12-14 Sept 2005.
3. Close, F., Conroy, D., Greig A., Morin, A., Flint G., Seale, R.: Successful Drilling of Basalt in a West of Shetland
Deepwater Discovery paper SPE 96575 presented at Offshore Europe 2005, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK 6-9 Sept
2005.
4. Seale, R., Conroy, D.: PDC Bits Run on Turbodrills: The History, Facts and Current Developments paper SPE
94826 presented at the SPE Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference, Rio de J aneiro,
Brazil, 20-23 J une 2005.
5. Brackin, V., Isbell, M., Roggeveen, A., Mohamed, M., Wingate, J ., Welch, B.: Expanding the Range of
Impregnated Technology: New Performance Benchmark Set in Middle East (Et Al) paper SPE 74524 presented at
the IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, Dallas, Texas, USA 26-28 Feb 2002.


SPE/IADC 118809 5








Figure 1 Latimer County, Oklahoma (top) and Arkoma Basin outline (bottom)




6 SPE/IADC 118809



Figure 2 Stratigraphic column, showing relative positions of Middle Atokan and Champlanian formations

SPE/IADC 118809 7







Figure 3 Turbodrilling system, with features and benefits, equipped with new-style impregnated
drill bit and turbine sleeve


























8 SPE/IADC 118809
Days vs Depth
(Drilling)
0'
1000'
2000'
3000'
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Days
D
e
p
t
h

(
f
t
)
Well #MA1
Well #MA2
Well #MA3
Well #MA4
Well #MA5
Well #MA6


Figure 4 Turbodrill/impreg BHA set a new field benchmark drilling 3,304 ft at 22.5 ft/hr (red). The
performance improvement set new world records for 6-1/8 impreg bit single run footage and penetration rate.
SPE/IADC 118809 9

0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
14.00
16.00
18.00
20.00
ROTATING SLIDING
DRILLING MODE
R
O
P

(
f
t
/
h
r
)
LOW FLOW (217gpm)
HIGH FLOW (230gpm)

Figure 5 Comparison chart documenting a 33% ROP improvement when rotating using high flow
hydraulics regime




Figure 6A - Turbine glossary with blade count and bearing configuration

Well #MA5
10 SPE/IADC 118809




















































Figure 6B - Turbine system optimization with configuration changes, impreg design & materials developments
Atokan/Atokan sandstone horizontals


6-1/4 K503 TBPXXC
SPC 116
6-1/4 K503 TBPXXC
SPC 116
6-1/4 K503 TBPXXC
SPC 116
Baseline Bit
Bit Configuration
Unchanged
Bit Configuration
Unchanged
Well #S1
..
Run 1
Baseline Turbine
Turbine Configuration
Unchanged
1032ft @4.7 ft/hr IADC
4.7 ft Neyrfor
Dull grade
4-4-WT-A-X-I-NO-PR
1034 Ft @ 4.72 ft/hr IADC
5.2 ft/hr Neyrfor
Dull grade
5-5-WT-A-X-I-NO-HR
253 Ft @ 5.06 ft/hr IADC
4.82 ft/hr Neyrfor
Dull Grade
1-2-WT-A-X-I-NO-TD
Run 2
4-3/4 TSXL FBS MKII
220gpm @ 9.2ppg mud
5.39 hHP/in2
1399 rpm
621 ft/lbs torque
4-3/4 T1XL FBS MKII
230gpm @ 9.4ppg mud
6.3 hHP/in2
1462 rpm
693 ft/lbs torque
Run 3
4-3/4 T1XL FBS MKII
230gpm @ 9.4ppg mud
6.3 hHP/in2
1462 rpm
693 ft/lbs torque
Turbine Configuration
Unchanged
January 2007
December 2006
SPE/IADC 118809 11


























Figure 6C - Turbine system optimization with configuration changes, impreg design & materials developments
Atokan/Atokan sandstone horizontals




























Figure 6D - Turbine system optimization with configuration changes, impreg design & materials developments
6-1/4 K503TBPXXC
SPC 116
323ft @ 3.85ft/hrIADC
4.13ft/hr Neyrfor
Dull Grade
5-5-WT-N-X-I-NO-PR
Well # S2
.
Turbine Configuration
Unchanged
4-3/4 T1XL FBS MKII
211gpm @ 9.5ppg mud
5.0 hHP/in2
1341 rpm
600 ft/lbs torque
6-1/8 K505TBPXXC
SPC 116
72ft @ 3.12ft/hrIADC
4.3ft/hr Neyrfor
Dull Grade
0-0-PN-N-X-I-NO-MWD
Turbine Configuration
Unchanged
4-3/4 T1XL FBS MKII
211gpm @ 9.5ppg mud
5.0 hHP/in2
1341 rpm
600 ft/lbs torque
6-1/8 K505TBPXXC
SPC 116
123ft @ 3.18ft/hrIADC
3.28ft/hr Neyrfor
Dull Grade
1-1-WT-A-X-I-NO-DTF
Turbine Configuration
Unchanged
4-3/4 T1XL FBS MKII
211gpm @ 9.5ppg mud
5.0 hHP/in2
1341 rpm
600 ft/lbs torque
Run 1 Run 2 Run 3
6-1/8 K505TBPXXC
SPC 116
286ft @ 3.25ft/hrIADC
3.41ft/hr Neyrfor
Dull Grade
5-7-WT-N-X-I-NO-PR
Turbine Configuration
Unchanged
4-3/4 T1XL FBS MKII
218gpm @ 9.5ppg mud
5.49 hHP/in2
1386 rpm
637 ft/lbs torque
Run 4
Same
Bit
Same
Bit
6-1/8 DDR3054-B1
130ft @ 3.51ft/hrIADC
3.641ft/hr Neyrfor
Dull Grade
8-4-HC-A-X-I-WT-PR
Turbine Configuration
Unchanged
4-3/4 T1XL FBS MKII
211gpm @ 9.5ppg mud
5.0 hHP/in2
1341 rpm
600 ft/lbs torque
Run5
6-1/8 K505ZTBPXXC
SPC 116
528ft @ 3.33ft/hrIADC
3.51ft/hr Neyrfor
Dull Grade
4-6-WT-N-X-I-LT-BHA
Turbine Configuration
Unchanged
4-3/4 T1XL FBS MKII
211gpm @ 9.5ppg mud
5.0 hHP/in2
1341 rpm
600 ft/lbs torque
Run 6
6-1/8 K505ZTBPXXC
SPC 116
364ft @ 3.88ft/hrIADC
4.01ft/hr Neyrfor
Dull Grade
1-1 WT-A-X-I-NO-TD
Overpumped Turbine
for more power
4-3/4 T1XL FBS MKII
234gpm @ 9.5ppg mud
6.71 hHP/in2
1488 rpm
726 ft/lbs torque
PVU 3.19
Run 7
Bit Configuration
Unchanged
Bit Configuration
Unchanged
Bit Configuration
Unchanged
Bit Configuration
Unchanged
Bit Configuration
Unchanged
Bit Configuration
Unchanged
Heavy set (additional 3 ribs)
Configuration
6-1/8 K703BCTPX
SPC 116
6-1/8 K705TBPXC
SPC 116
6-1/8 K705BCTPX
SPC 116
Baseline Bit
Longer profile than
Previous Bit (703 to 705)
Durability not an
Issue.
Bit Configuration
Unchanged
6-1/8 K705TBPXC
SPC 116
336ft @ 10.3ft/hrIADC
11.02ft/hr Neyrfor
Dull Grade
No Pic
Available
Bit was Re-run
Durability not an
issue
Well #MA2
State Record!
Single Run Footage Single Run Footage
Soft
Matrix
Softer Matrix
Durability not an
Issue.
6-1/8 K705TBPXC
SPC 116
2772ft @ 10.6ft/hrIADC
11.45ft/hr Neyrfor
Dull Grade
Run 1
New World Record!
Single Run Footage Single Run Footage
Baseline Turbine
Turbine Changed to
T1XL = More Power
w/ less flow
Well #MA3
World Record!
Single Run Footage Single Run Footage
Well #MA4
New World Record!
Single Run Footage Single Run Footage
Turbine
Configuration
Unchanged
1152ft @ 8.6 ft/hr IADC
8.53 ft Neyrfor
Baseline System
2660 Ft @ 10 ft/hr IADC
12.9 ft/hr Neyrfor
Dull grade
Upgraded Turbine & Bit
2701 Ft @ 9.7 ft/hr IADC
11.07 ft/hr Neyrfor
Dull Grade
Same System configuration
Repeatability / Consistency
Check.
Well #MA5
Run 2
New World Record!
Cumulative Run Footage Cumulative Run Footage
Overpumped Turbine
for more power
Changed Turbine
Bearing Configuration to
15 Hydraulics and 1 Mechanical
to allow for higher flow
4-3/4 T1 FBS MKII
216gpm @ 11.5ppg mud
5.36 hHP/in2
1373 rpm
604 ft/lbs torque
4-3/4 T1XL FBS MKII
210gpm @ 10.0ppg mud
5.52 hHP/in2
1335 rpm
640 ft/lbs torque
4-3/4 T1XL FBS MKII
210gpm @ 10.1ppg mud
5.52 hHP/in2
1335 rpm
640 ft/lbs torque
4-3/4 T1XL FBS MKII
230gpm @ 10.3ppg mud
7.58 hHP/in2
1462 rpm
801 ft/lbs torque
4-3/4 T1XL FBS MKII
230gpm @ 10.3ppg mud
7.58 hHP/in2
1462 rpm
801 ft/lbs torque
System ROP Improvement
Same
Bit
12 SPE/IADC 118809





Figure 7 - Turbodrilling (green) saved the operator 57.5 days of rig time in just four wells