Reduce costs by reducing SBM mud loss

When drilling the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas, the operator wanted to maintain optimal drilling conditions, including high ROP, while minimizing costs associated with SBM loss and the disposal of oil-wet cuttings. In high-ROP drilling environments, cuttings are very large and thus carry high volumes of SBM to surface. The cuttings require disposal and cannot be recovered, which results in mud loss as well as disposal costs.

Use high-efficiency SCREEN PULSE separator

M-I SWACO recommended an integrated suite of products to help the operator achieve its drill-ing objectives. The SCREEN PULSE fluid and cuttings separator was chosen to help reduce the costs of disposal and mud loss in the high-ROP drilling environment. The separator was installed on MONGOOSE PRO† shale shakers and used in combination with DURAFLO† composite replacement screens.

The SCREEN PULSE separator’s simple retrofit installation improves shale shaker performance by creating a suction effect under the screen surface, achieving ultrafine screen separation efficiency. The dual-motion MONGOOSE PRO shaker recovers significant volumes of reusable drilling fluids and features the ability to easily switch between high-volume capacity and normal modes as drilling con-ditions change. Using this type of shaker with lightweight DURAFLO screens improves fluid-handling capacity and solids-control performance.

Decreased costs by 30%, saved USD 68,000

Using this solution on two wells in the Eagle Ford Shale, the operator was able to achieve its drilling objectives and cut costs by reducing both SBM loss and associated disposal costs for oil-wet cuttings. On average, the operator reduced the SBM cost per foot to USD 24.34, a 30% cost reduction, and reduced disposal cost per well to USD 45,000, a 13.5% cost reduction. The total net savings incurred by using the SCREEN PULSE separator and other M-I SWACO products was more than USD 68,000. Based on these results, the operator is now using this technology on all its rigs in the Eagle Ford Shale.