NOV : VectorZIEL precisely drills four laterals in a remote Sub-Saharan Africa project

Automated rotary steerable system helps deliver higher-quality boreholes to maximize production.

Several gas-to-power projects are under way to address regional grid intermittency challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa and rising energy demands. An operator developing a remote gas field required accurate well placement through the thin and faulted reservoir while maintaining a down-dip trajectory to maximize the gas production.

The operator used bent motor bottomhole assemblies (BHA) to drill the previous horizontal wells. However, these wells did not meet the operator's production targets because of the borehole's tortuosity, prompting a game-changing switch.

NOV's VectorZIEL™ automated rotary steerable system (RSS) delivered unprecedented precision in two lateral wells, significantly boosting gas production. As a result, the operator made the strategic decision to use the VectorZIEL to re-drill two laterals previously drilled with bent motor BHAs.

VectorZIEL 400 RSS tools were used to drill 2,950 m (9,680 ft) across four laterals. The closed-loop trajectory control system accurately geosteered within a 2-m (7-ft) window to a 0.1° target inclination. Real-time near-bit azimuthal gamma ray measurements ensured the wellbore remained within the faulted gas pay zone.

Precise trajectory control and improved cuttings removal created smoother and higher-quality boreholes. The wells are currently being flow tested.

VectorZIEL's exceptional performance and the knowledge gained from these drilling efforts will enable the operator to extract gas more efficiently and cost-effectively. Therefore, these gas wells will play a pivotal role in generating stable electricity for the region, along with the potential to create an energy export economy rather than the current energy importing reality.