Case study: Colombia

StarTrak ML service efficiently logs
high-resistivity formation to reachTD without a wireline run
An operator drilling exploratory wells
in Colombia required high-density
logging-while-drilling (LWD) data toeffectively geosteer through a complex
formation characterized by highresistivity, multiple fractures, stick-slip
vibrations, and a risk of washouts insome mudstone layers.
The operation required high-quality,
real-time resistivity data to improvegeostopping decisions and avoid
dropping angle in some intervals.
Simultaneously, the operator wanted toavoid the rig time of separate wireline
runs to collect the resistivity data in thehighly deviated wells (with inclinations
from 35° to 45°).
As an alternative to wireline, theoperator considered placing a
resistivity sensor in the bottomholeassembly (BHA).
The resistivity tools of other service
providers required lower rates ofpenetration (ROPs) to minimize
vibrational effects and collect LWD
data at the required density and depthof investigation (DOI), which added
time and cost to the drilling operation.
The operator asked Baker Hughes for areservoir characterization solution thatprovided high-density resistivity data
without sacrificing ROP. Baker Hughes
proposed its StarTrak™ ML imaging
service, which operates reliably inhigh-vibration drilling environments
to generate multi-laterolog resistivity
and high-resolution images at therequired DOI.
This project marked the first
deployment of the StarTrak ML service
in a high-resistivity, geologicallycomplex formation in the Western
Hemisphere. The operator agreed todeploy this solution based on Baker
Hughes’s vast field experience andproven record of acquiring highquality resistivity data with advanced
LWD technologies.

Collaborating on the optimal
execution plan

Various Baker Hughes product lines—
including Drill Bits, Wireline, Fluids, andReservoir Technical Services—worked
together to develop the optimal
StarTrak ML service deployment plan.
Specific parts of the plan included:• Placing the resistivity sub far enoughfrom the bit to mitigate vibrations
and dysfunctions but close enoughto capture data for geostopping andgeosteering with required DOI• Performing geomechanicalanalysis on each well to support
risk mitigation strategies developedby the RiskGuard™ analysis and risk
management solutions• Developing geomechanical models of
the wells, which the operator lacked• Increasing the drilling mud’s
rheological properties to maintainthe target yield point between 24
and 26 lbf/100 ft2• Reducing the length of the adjustablekick-off sub in the motor to
mitigate bending

Challenges• High-resistivity formation andcomplex reservoir environment
challenged LWD logging• Hostile geological environment
included multiple fractures,
washouts in mudstone
formations, and tendency forhigh stick-slip vibrations• Highly deviated wells withinclinations from 35° to 45°created deployment challenges
for wireline• Third-party LWD tools requireda drop in ROP to capture data at
required density

Results• Collected high-quality resistivity
measurements in complex
reservoir environment to makereal-time geostopping decisions• Successfully reached target
depth in multiple wells, drilling a
total of 7,638 ft in 212 hours with
no ROP reduction• Reduced operational time whileeliminating additional wireline
logging runs
• Mitigated operating risks andensured flawless execution
through close cross-discipline
collaboration• Avoiding washouts by reviewing
hole cleaning requirements andcontrolling parameters such as flow
rate, weight on bit, and revolutions
per minutebakerhughes.com

With the plan approved by theoperator, Baker Hughes deployed
the StarTrak ML service in 8 ½-in. holesections of multiple exploration wells.

Executing efficiently
to target depth

The StarTrak ML service deployed
efficiently and performed flawlessly todeliver high-density resistivity logs andreal-time reservoir characterization ineach exploration well.
Optimal placement of the resistivity
sensor close to the bit ensured that theStarTrak ML service reliably captured
data at the desired DOI, without
reducing the ROP and extending drilling
time. The high-quality resistivity dataalso helped the operator avoid the timeand expense of conducting separate
wireline runs.

The drilling team used the real-timedata to navigate efficiently through thehigh-resistivity formation to the planned
geological targets and make real-time
geostopping decisions with minimal drill
bit sliding for course corrections.
The operator used the StarTrak ML
service’s detailed reservoir
characterization to confirm theexploration block’s production
potential and add it to Colombia’shydrocarbon reserves. The formation
data identified the block’s reserves aslight crude oil, making the reservoir an
attractive commercial find comparedto neighboring blocks predominatedby heavy crude oil.
The operator considered this first
drilling campaign with the StarTrak
ML service a success, thanks in largepart to the extensive pre-planning

among the Baker Hughes productteams. This planning, coupled with thevast experience of the company’s fieldcrews and their ability to incorporate
lessons learned from well-to-well,helped minimize drilling dysfunction
risks and vibration-induced tool
damage on the way to target depth.
Following this initial success, Baker
Hughes deployed the StarTrak MLservice in several wells for other clientsin Colombia to successfully drill a totalof 7,638 ft (2,328 m) in just 212 hours.
With each successive drilling operation,
the StarTrak ML service adds to its
reputation as the preferred resistivity
logging service in fields with highresistivity formations.

The StarTrak ML service provides high-quality resistivity data and imaging that identifies geomechanical features like drilling-induced fracturesand borehole breakouts with greater sharpness and clarity than other tools.

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