Recently, an operator in Lea County, New Mexico was targeting the Leonard formation, a sub-unit of the Bone Spring formation located within the Delaware Basin with a goal of drilling their longest 8.5” lateral while saving time downhole. Typically, drilling a well of this length in this formation could take over 4 weeks to drill, with challenges faced especially in the lateral section demanding multiple bits to be employed to reach total depth.
Teaming up with Ulterra and requiring multiple bits for their entire drilling program, Ulterra and this operator worked together to select the right bit(s) for each section. Initially drilling the surface, Ulterra’s 17.5 CF619, equipped with CounterForce™ technology, drilled 1,315 ft. with an ROP of 97 ft/hr.
Then, drilling the vertical section, Ulterra’s SplitBlade technology lead the charge – drilling a combined total depth of 7,644 ft with an average ROP of over 110 ft/hr. Firstly, drilling the 12.25” vertical section, this operator drilled 3,767 ft. with Ulterra’s 12.25” SPL516, and then finished the section with Ulterra’s 8.75” SPL616, reaching 9,057 ft. After finishing the vertical section, the operator built the curve with two of Ulterra’s 8.75” SPL613s to prepare for the lateral section.
At a depth in of 10,050 ft, the team drilled an impressive 9,323 ft. in the lateral section with Ulterra’s 8.5” CF716, maintaining a steady ROP of 64.3 ft/hr. To finish the section, another 8.5” CF716 was employed to drill an additional 5,777 ft., drilling with an average ROP of 62.1 ft/hr. With both team’s determination and collaboration, this operator was able to reach total length while cutting 6 days off their drilling program. This impressive two-bit lateral was a huge accomplishment in terms of saving time and money downhole.
Utilizing both SplitBlade™ and CounterForce™ technology on this all teal well, this operator was able to achieve great results while setting a new operator Leonard lateral record of 15,100 feet.
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