Baker Hughes released its AutoTrak eXact high-build rotary-steerable system designed to help operators drill complex 3D wells with improved directional control and superior borehole quality. The AutoTrak eXact system combines highbuildup-rate capability with advanced logging-while-drilling (LWD) services, enabling optimized completions, improving drilling efficiency, and maximizing production potential. Using proprietary and proven closed-loop steering control, the AutoTrak eXact system delivers precise wellbore placement with high bore hole quality in all applications for easier casing runs. The system has the ability to drill shorter curve sections up to 12°/100 ft, compared with conventional systems that offer 5–6°/100-ft build rates. This maximizes reservoir exposure and helps avoid costly directional work in troublesome formations. Compatible with the Baker Hughes’ advanced suite of LWD services, the AutoTrak eXact system also provides access to real-time formation evaluation and reservoir data to help geosteer wells and optimize placement in the reservoir.（Chris Carpenter, JPT Technology Editor）
Reduce well costs with high BUR drilling while gathering critical LWD data
Operators are always looking for opportunities to reduce drilling risk, improve performance, quickly bring wells to production, and maximize hydrocarbon recovery. Rotary steerable systems (RSS) on the market today have limited abilities to provide advanced logging while drilling (LWD) services combined with high buildup rates (BUR). This limitation has forced operators to compromise between the ability to obtain LWD data or to drive efficiency with high BUR. Additionally, the need to drill slimmer holes also required a compromise in performance.
The Baker Hughes 6¾-in. AutoTrak eXact high-build RSS improves drilling efficiency by providing the high BUR that operators need to drill shorter curve sections. It is capable of drilling curves of up to 12°/100 ft (12°/30.5 m), maximizing horizontal reservoir exposures and avoiding directional work in troublesome formations. A newly introduced 4¾-in. system offers improved performance over other slimhole tools by allowing greater weight-on-bit and improved reliability, thanks to a rugged steering unit with fewer components and hybrid electronics which allow increased tolerance to dynamics and operate up to 165°C (329° F.)
Additionally, the AutoTrak eXact system is fully compatible with the Baker Hughes suite of advanced LWD services. This enables operators to obtain accurate and comprehensive formation evaluation and reservoir data to geosteer wells to target, maximize production, and minimize the risk and cost of development. The enhanced directional capability enables quicker corrections if targets or geology change unexpectedly.
The AutoTrak eXact RSS can drill the most complex 3D profiles with superior borehole quality and directional control, thus reducing overall time on well and improving the efficiency of completion operations.
The proprietary, closed-loop steering control of the AutoTrak eXact system delivers the most precise and consistent performance in the industry. Automated steering control ensures borehole quality in all applications, even in the most challenging wells.
Baker Hughes has designed fit-for-purpose drill bits, such as the Kymer hybrid drill bit and the Talon high-efficiency drill bit, to work with the AutoTrak eXact RSS to provide better directional control, consistent reliable build rates, unsurpassed borehole quality and improved stability.
Combining the AutoTrak family’s proven precision with higher BUR capability and LWD compatibility, the AutoTrak eXact RSS offers a unique and uncompromising solution for your most challenging wells.
Applications
- Conventional and unconventional
- Land and offshore
- Simple and complex 3D wellbore profiles
Features and benefits
- Precise closed-loop steering that adjusts for direction and inclination
– Delivers exact wellbore placement
– Improves borehole quality by consistently drilling smooth curves and straight tangents
– Facilitates faster completions and enhanced production
- Oriented kick-off from vertical
– Reduces risk in limited geometric and geological envelopes (limited leases, thin reservoirs)
– Saves time and footage
– Reduces drilling days per well by drilling a shorter curve section
– Increases production by exposing more of the reservoir, earlier
– Avoids directional work in troublesome formations
- Compatible with Baker Hughes suite of advanced LWD services
– Provides real-time formation evaluation
– Offers precise wellbore placement using Reservoir Navigation Services
Case study
Case one： AutoTrak eXact RSS and Talon Force Bit Drilled Challenging Well Profle in Congested Field
Location: UK Continental Shelf
Results
Drilled challenging well profile
Met planned maximum BUR of 6°/100 ft (30 m) and flat turn rate of 7°/100 ft (30 m)
Maintained bit cutter condition to TD
Achieved ROP of 48.7 ft/hr (14.8 m/hr) through chalk
Challenges
- Drill complex well profile
–7°/100 ft (30 m) maximum turn rate
–360° turn while building from 23° to 91°
–Two ESP tangent sections
- Meet requirement for drill bit to be highly steerable and stable in tangent sections
- Steer in stick-slip-inducing chalk
- Perform complex anti-collisionoperation
Baker Hughes solution
- 6¾-in. AutoTrak eXact RSS
- 8½-in. Talon Force high-velocity PDC drill bit
Case two： AutoTrak eXact RSS Saved 90 Hours of Rig Time on Trilateral Well
Middle East
Results
- Saved 90 hours of rig time
- Drilled each leg of a trilateral oil well in one run
- Set a new ROP field record
- Placed three high-quality wellbores
- Met all formation evaluation targets
- Drilled 8,300 ft of new reservoir
- Avoided nonproductive time
- Ran the first 4¾-in. AutoTrak eXact RSS in the field
Background and Challenges
- Onshore trilateral, horizontal oil well
- Reservoir with high levels of H2S
- Meet a challenging well schedule
- Maintain borehole quality to meet formation evaluation requirements
Baker Hughes Solution
- AutoTrak eXact high-performance RSS
- Genesis PDC drill bit
- LithoTrak advanced LWD porosity service
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