Lower overall drilling times where receiving traditional electromagnetic (EM) telemetry is made impossible by overlying formations and extended laterals.

SLB used both EM and mud pulse telemetry capabilities from the xBolt G2™ accelerated drilling service to save survey time while maintaining telemetry reliability. We saved 53 hours of survey time over 8 wells, reduced connection time by 7.5 hours per 10,000 ft lateral, and avoided an estimated 23 h trip.

Decrease survey time to improve overall drilling time

An operator needed to increase drilling efficiency by decreasing survey time using EM telemetry, which would enable sending survey data while making a connection instead of waiting for the mud pumps to turn on after a connection is made. However, the formation layers above the wellbore and extended laterals made it impossible for EM telemetry to be received.

Use xBolt G2 service's multitelemetry capability to maintain signal reliability

To produce and receive reliable telemetry signals faster than traditional mud pulse technology, SLB suggested using the xBolt G2 service. The service's multitelemetry feature enables operators to switch between EM telemetry and high-speed mud pulse telemetry as needed. In addition, SLB installed a deep electrode receiver in an adjacent well to enable EM signal reception.

Saved 53 hours of survey time across 8 wells

By using the xBolt G2 service, the operator was able to avoid making a 23-hour trip that would be required to change the BHA if it had included a conventional single-telemetry tool. The service quickly responded to a downlink and switched to mud pulse telemetry mode, minimizing the time spent troubleshooting for signal quality. Toward the end of the run, the tool was switched back to EM telemetry mode to maximize on-bottom time.

Over an 8-well pad, the operator saved a total of 53 hours of survey time.