Case studies: Mitigating drilling hazards offshore Mexico, optimizing well architecture offshore California

Weatherford International recently used its Total Depth well construction approach to deliver fit-for-purpose plans and mitigate drilling hazards on two projects offshore Mexico and California. In the first video, Weatherford global product line manager RCD Andrew Barry talks with Steve Rosenberg, Weatherford US region product line manager for drilling with casing, about how liner drilling experience was leveraged in the Gulf of Mexico to overcome unstable formations and loss circulation zones. The well construction plan that was implemented was able to eliminate a contingent liner string and saved a Mexican operator US$4.5 million.

In the second video, Mr Barry talks with Said Boutalbi, Weatherford director of well engineering, about how the company helped an operator safely run a 9 5/8-in. liner in one trip in an ultra-extended-reach drilling project. A unique floating technique was employed to overcome high frictional forces when running liner in the horizontal section. The floating technique caused the liner to be buoyant, requiring the need to safely “push” the liner in the well. The OverDrive top drive casing running system enabled the client to run, rotate and push down 27,255 ft (8,307 meters) of liner with deviations of up to 84°– a record for an offshore, fixed platform application.

For more information about Weatherford’s Total Depth services, visit their website.