Case Study: Sleeve Stabilizers in a Middle East Deepwater Project

Deepwater drilling projects present unique challenges, from managing high pressures to navigating complex subsurface geology. One of the most notable applications of sleeve stabilizers can be found in a Middle Eastern deepwater gas field, where their use significantly impacted operational success.

Project Overview
The project involved drilling several deepwater wells in a high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) environment, located over 3,000 meters below the seabed. These wells required precise directional control due to challenging geological formations, including fractured sandstone and shale zones.

Challenges Faced
1.High Pressure & Temperature (HPHT)
The well conditions exceeded the industry's typical operational limits for temperature and pressure, demanding specialized tools capable of maintaining stability under extreme stress.

2.Formation Complexity
The formation's tendency to collapse and shift during drilling added risk to wellbore quality and tool life.

3.Wellbore Deviation
Ensuring accurate wellbore trajectory, especially in horizontal drilling sections, was crucial to ensure the target reservoirs were efficiently accessed.

Solution: Sleeve Stabilizers in Action
Given the environment's complexity, sleeve stabilizers were selected for their adaptability and replaceability. The project's operators deployed sleeve stabilizers with tungsten carbide-coated blades, offering superior wear resistance, especially in abrasive zones.

1.Improved ROP
By stabilizing the drill string and preventing excessive vibration, the sleeve stabilizers contributed to a 15% improvement in the rate of penetration (ROP), leading to faster drilling speeds and reducing overall project time.

2.Enhanced Wellbore Quality
The stabilizers helped maintain a centralized drill string, reducing the risk of doglegs and improving wellbore quality, which minimized the need for reaming and corrected directional adjustments.

3.Operational Efficiency
The modular design of the sleeve stabilizers allowed for easy on-site replacement of sleeves without removing the entire tool. This reduced downtime and maintenance costs, ensuring smooth, continuous operations.

The deployment of sleeve stabilizers in this challenging deepwater project proved highly effective. The ability to replace individual sleeves without interrupting drilling operations helped the project meet tight schedules and reduced costs. Sleeve stabilizers, particularly those with wear-resistant coatings, played a pivotal role in improving both operational and financial performance.

Sleeve Stabilizer