An operator wanted to save time and costs off AFE while drilling in the Midcontinent oil region. Due to drilling noise, particularly in unfavorable drilling conditions, the data from conventional tools could not be demodulated at surface. To obtain accurate formation evaluation and drilling optimization data during drilling operations, the operator often had to relog every stand of drillpipe—and even retake entire surveys. This led to hours of NPT per well.
To increase data transmission speed and deliver a continuous MWD signal while drilling, SLB recommended the xBolt G2 service. The xBolt G2 service uses quadrature phase shift key mud pulse telemetry, which enables increased bit rates and carrier frequency flexibility. System algorithms guide the mud pulse signal to change frequencies onto a cleaner area within the spectrum, avoiding insufficient data due to low-frequency drilling noise, which can cause very poor to no demodulation.
Using the xBolt G2 service, the operator significantly increased transmission reliability to eliminate the need for relogging and repeat surveys, which helped increase on-bottom drilling time from 62% to 78%. The xBolt G2 service achieved a 2-bps transmission rate during drilling compared with just 0.5 bps from a standard high-volume, probe-based mud pulse tool—reducing survey time by 2 minutes at every connection.
