Verkhnechonskneftegaz Increased Commercial Drilling Speed by 25%
Specialists of Verkhnechonskneftegaz (part of Rosneft’s oil and gas production segment) increased commercial drilling speed by more than 25% — by 900 metres per rig month. The effect was achieved at the Verkhnechonskoye oil and gas condensate field through the implementation of a set of Russian technologies.
Verkhnechonskneftegaz introduced smaller drill bits when drilling in loose water-saturated formations, which increased the mechanical rate of penetration from 18.6 m/h to 31.4 m/h. The new type of drill bits has increased strength and wear resistance, and the optimized cutting structure allows faster drilling of complex intervals.
The use of automated control technology for the top drive made it possible to minimize friction and create variable rotational oscillations of the drill string, significantly increasing load transfer to the bit. At the same time, the quality of wellbore trajectory control improved during drilling of horizontal sections. In addition, due to the eccentric shape of the “nose” and the rotation of the hydraulic reaming shoe, the speed and quality of running the casing string were improved. The rotation of the shoe is achieved by a turbine mechanism driven by the hydraulic energy of the drilling fluid.
Improving production efficiency is one of the key elements of the Rosneft 2030 strategy. The Company is carrying out large-scale work aimed at reducing operating costs, including through the implementation of advanced technological solutions.
A shoe is equipment that is permanently attached to the casing string, while its bit part rotates when circulation is applied.
