Chronicles from Catoosa: SABER validates its effectiveness during extensive trials
Neil Bird, VP Advanced Drilling Systems, Enteq
In April, I detailed the qualified success of initial testing in Norway for the SABER Tool — our innovative alternative to conventional rotary steerable systems (RSS) for directional drilling. After that, our attention shifted to SABER’s next testing phase at Catoosa Test Facility in Oklahoma, and I’m delighted to report this trial was a resounding success. It felt only natural to continue our testing series with a second piece as we celebrate SABER proving its effectiveness under operational conditions.
This is a huge moment for the whole Enteq team. While its significance has taken some time to sink in, we are now beginning to appreciate the scale of our achievement.
Catoosa preparations revolved around two goals: first, confirming the effectiveness of SABER’s unique application of Bernoulli’s steering concept; second, identifying operational limits. During an extensive drilling programme, we were able to put a tick in both of these boxes.
Testing proved SABER’s ability to induce significant dogleg (DLS severity) in typical downhole conditions and navigate diverse formations, mirroring real-world commercial environment. We were able to generate a build and drop, hold and change azimuth when we needed to, and turn. This validates its suitability for our target commercial applications in lateral horizontal wells.
All testing results have been verified by an independent survey and we have conducted our own thorough analysis to confirm our success, but also scope out further areas for optimisation, which we are in the process of implementing.
With any field testing, there are always going to be some issues to fix, and we were fortunate to have our brilliant team of engineers on-hand to make necessary modifications on the go. By definition, when you’re carrying out field testing, nobody’s written the rule book before, and there is no operations manual. This requires a team that has the ability to think outside of the box when required but with serious engineering expertise, intelligence and skill to back it up. That’s exactly what we have at Enteq, a real blend of talent and experience, with the quirks and flair you need when you’re breaking the industry norm.
Reflecting this eccentricity – with Oklahoma being a farming state – the team decided to check out an alternative use of the local grain silos and get involved in some climbing to unwind between testing phases. The novel application of a proven technology in a new context is a highly fitting analogy for SABER!
Since obtaining the tool’s license from Shell, we have faced some healthy skepticism around SABER’s ability to induce the necessary dogleg for steering. But as Larry Page once noted, “Good ideas are always crazy until they’re not.”
In the two decades since RSS supplanted mud motors as the premier directional drilling tool, the technology has remained largely stagnant. SABER represents the first real innovation the industry has seen in that time, so it is natural that some people may have doubts. However, these results mark a pivotal moment and affirms that SABER can redefine industry standards and expectations.
Validating SABER’s application of Bernoulli’s principle marks a significant moment, underscoring its capacity for precise at-bit steering in global commercial drilling, with enhanced tool life and reliability. SABER’s applications for geothermal and methane capture applications further expand its uses beyond existing RSS technologies.
In line with our growth and commercialisation strategy, we are now actively selecting partners in strategic global regions to bring the tool to market. We will be keeping our sunglasses on as we look forward to our participation in ADIPEC, offering us a platform to engage with potential customers and industry peers alike in a key region for SABER.
Finally, a warm thank you to the team at Catoosa Test Facility for the Oklahoma hospitality – the team and crew were extremely helpful – and were certainly a part of the final outcome! And another big thanks to the team at Ulterra for the technical support and brilliant service provided to get everything ready for testing.
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