October 2004
Special Focus
Advanced drilling technology benefits mature field
Highly complex and faulted geology in southern Oklahoma, coupled with the high dip angles, creates a challenging drilling environment. The inclination-building tendencies of these formations compel operators to use a steerable motor with a bend angle to construct boreholes that are intended to be nearly vertical. To address these issues, Chesapeake Energy recently applied VertiTrak (VT), a sophisticated straight-hole drilling device, together with a new-style, reduced-exposure Genesis PDC bit, to enable the operator to save considerable rig time and increase ROP while delivering quality wellbores, resulting in minimal casing wear, reduced torque and drag, and improving casing-cement jobs.
