During winter and spring of 2022, a major operator in the Bakken Field experienced over 150 hours of NPT waiting on cementing operations, which was directly tied to road delays caused by bad weather conditions. As a result, a solution was required that would address the problem of driving trucks over harsh road conditions as well as regulations, equipment availability, and equipment that needed to be rigged-up upon arrival at the wellsite.
The rig-enabled cementing service deployed on the rig started in October 2023, and delivered over 10 cementing treatments by the first quarter of 2024. By introducing the industry's first rig-enabled cementing service, SLB helped the operator minimize rig downtime and logistics delays. The largest impact of the NPT savings is typically seen during winter conditions when the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) engages their annual frost laws. The operator is poised to see a significant increase in operational efficiencies with the rig-enabled cementing service unit, and they have already expressed interest in outfitting additional rigs with this solution.
The rig-enabled cementing service provides the process to mix and transfer cementing slurry to the rig pumps using a powerful electric cementing mixing skid. This unit is permanently installed at the rig site, which moves with the rig as needed. The cementing slurry is mixed onsite, along with chemical additives, and is delivered to the rig pumps for pumping downhole. Already, several operators have adopted this innovative technology on the back of the great improvement it unlocks.
