Schlumberger introduced the NeoSteer at-bit steerable system (ABSS) at Society of Petroleum Engineers Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (SPE ATCE). The NeoSteer ABSSs improve horizontal well drilling performance by providing high-dogleg capability and increased rate of penetration in the curve and the lateral.

Developed as a fit-for-basin solution, NeoSteer ABSSs leverage digital technologies by combining the latest trajectory control algorithms, and machine-learning and data analytics to provide our customers improved planning and execution performance.

“The NeoSteer family is a real game changer for the industry. We have combined cutting structures with steering systems, enabled through digital technology, to drill steeper curves, longer and straighter laterals,” said Tarek Rizk, president, Drilling & Measurements, Schlumberger. “Our customers will benefit from improved performance by increasing rate of penetration, accurate well placement and a high-quality wellbore, which reduces overall well construction costs.”

The NeoSteer ABSSs have drilled a combined total of more than 2.6 million ft [792,480 m] during 250 runs in the unconventional reservoirs in North America land and Argentina. The fastest well drilled was in the DJ Basin and drilled shoe to shoe, vertical, curve and lateral totaling 15,123 ft [4609.5 m] in 29 on-bottom hours with an average ROP of 523 ft/h [159.4 m/h].

In the Marcellus Shale, the fit-for-basin NeoSteer CLx* extreme curve and lateral ABSS enabled an operator to drill difficult tangents, high-DLS curves and long lateral sections through hard formations while maintaining low tortuosity. Conventional methods would have required two BHAs to overcome drilling through challenging abrasive sandstone sections. However, the NeoSteer CLx ABSS was able to drill three sections, totaling 13,819 ft [4,212 m], at a higher ROP and in a single run.

In the DJ Basin, SRC Energy used the NeoSteer CL* curve and lateral ABSS to drill a 12-well pad targeting vertical curves and lateral sections in a single run. The customer was able to increase ROP by 20%, saving as much as 21 hours in a single well while targeting various zones in the unconventional Niobrara shale formation.