CASE STUDY
Unit Petroleum Company Boosts ROP 27% in
Intermediate Section Targeting the Granite Wash
AxeBlade ridged diamond element bit enabled drilling with 20% less torque
through interbedded shale, sand, and limestone formation onshore Texas
CHALLENGE
Improve ROP and reduce torque while drilling
through interbedded formations of shale,
sand, and limestone above the Granite Wash
in the Anadarko basin.
SOLUTION
Deploy AxeBlade* ridged diamond element
bit to drill the intermediate section.
RESULTS
Drilled the entire interval at 27% higher ROP
and generated 20% less torque.
Improve drilling speed in intermediate section
■ AxeBlade bit
While pad drilling in the Texas portion of the
■ Conventional PDC bit
Anadarko basin, Unit Petroleum Company 5,500
sought to improve single-run ROP in the 8¾-in
intermediate section for future offset wells in the
area. The interval to be drilled is primarily shale
with harder interbedded layers of sandstone and
limestone, with unconfined compressive strength
(UCS) range of 3,000 to 15,000 psi.
Using a directional motor, the operator wanted to
drill the intermediate section to the kickoff point
at the top of the targeted Granite Wash formation. 6,500
Because of nearby wells on the pad, the interval to
be drilled typically included a slight nudge.
On an offset well approximately 5 miles from the
planned Mahler 108-1H well, Unit Petroleum
drilled the 8¾-in intermediate section using an
8¾-in MSi616PX premium PDC bit from Smith
Bits, a Schlumberger company. From 5,545
Measured depth, ft
to 9,115 ft, the operator achieved an ROP of
75.16 ft/h, and the bit exhibited relatively minimal
7,500
cutter wear (1-1-WT).
Deploy AxeBlade ridged diamond element
bit for improved cutting efficiency
To increase ROP over the offset well when
drilling Mahler 108-1H, Schlumberger suggested
that Unit Petroleum deploy an AxeBlade bit for
instantaneous ROP improvement. An 8¾-in bit
with ridged diamond elements was selected to
enable faster speeds and improve directional
8,500
control through higher frontal impact resistance
and increased cutting efficiency.
The aggressive geometry of the unique ridge-
shaped element achieves at least 22% deeper
penetration than conventional PDC cutters at
the same drilling parameters. Additionally, the
ridged diamond elements enable less overall
torque and fewer torque fluctuations for smoother
drilling operations. With better toolface control,
the AxeBlade ridged diamond element bit 9,500
achieves better ROP, especially in directional 5 10 15 20  100 150 200 250 
Torque, thousand ft.lbf ROP, ft/h
drilling operations.
ROP rose 27% and surface torque fell 20%
in the Mahler 108-1H well.
CASE STUDY: AxeBlade bit enabled drilling with 20% less torque through interbedded formation

The dull condition of the AxeBlade bit after drilling the Mahler 108-1H well demonstrates that it can be run in a similar application in future wells with the potential to increase WOB
to yield even greater ROP gains.

Increase ROP 27% and generate 20% less surface torque

Prior to drilling, an analysis using the IDEAS* integrated drillbit design platform determined that the
AxeBlade bit would provide enhanced cutting efficiency through instantaneously increased ROP and
lower drilling torque compared with the premium PDC bit used on the previous well. Once drilling
began, Schlumberger provided directional drilling services for the well.

Unit Petroleum drilled the Mahler 108-1H well’s intermediate interval from 5,918 to 9,047 ft in
a single run at an ROP of 95.54 ft/h, a 27% increase over the offset well. Under similar drilling
parameters and using the same cutting structure layout, the AxeBlade bit not only increased ROP but
generated 20% less surface torque and impressive dull condition. This improved drilling performance
saved the operator 14.75 hours of rig time. The higher ROP enabled by the bit means that the operator
can finish the well sooner and reduce the cost of operations.

slb.com/AxeBlade

*­ Mark of Schlumberger
Other company, product, and service names
are the properties of their respective owners.
Copyright © 2016 Schlumberger. All rights reserved. 15-BT-12044