PowerDrive vorteX

Rotary steerable system for supercharged drilling

PowerDrive
vorteX
BENEFITS

Savings in rig time

and drilling costs through
optimized bit performance
and subsequent
increased ROP

Good drilling performance

because of simple, rugged
steering section

Optimized ROPs for

polycrystalline diamond
compact bits
Less risk of damage
to bottomhole assembly
through elimination
of vibration modes
Less risk of casing wear
and drillstring fatigue
in sections with high
dogleg severity

Directional measurements
near bit, for precise TVD
directional control

Reduced risk of sticking,

lower torque, and optimized
ROP because of high-quality
clean boreholes
Minimizes stick/slip
in rough drilling
environments

The PowerDrive rotary steerable system (RSS) family is fully rotating,

which reduces sticking and improves overall drilling efficiency.

he PowerDrive vorteX* systems allow higher weight on bit for

increased ROPand more productive drilling. The system can
be run with either a PowerDrive X5 or a PowerDrive Xceed front
end, depending on drilling conditions, for maximum revolutions
per minute, resulting in longer runs. Additional torque capacity increases
the power of the PowerDrive vorteX RSS.

Power to drill faster

The PowerDrive vorteX high-performance RSS has a fully integrated,

high-torque power section that converts mud hydraulic power to mechanical
energy. This energy, combined with the drillstring torque and rotation
provided by the rigs topdrive, significantly increases usable torque and
rotation speed at the bit. The additional torque capacity allows a higher
weight on the bit, resulting in increased ROP and more cost-effective drilling.

Capability to
operate in downhole
temperatures as
high as 150 degC
[302 degF]

Cutaway showing
integrated power
section to optimize
bit performance
and subsequently
increase ROP

Good drilling performance

Downhole control
even in hard formations

62%

44%

Increase

Increase

Increase in effective penetration rate.

Specific case history.

Conventional RSS
PowerDrive vorteX system
1214-IN HOLE

812-IN HOLE

PowerDrive vorteX

The PowerDrive vorteX powered RSS has additional torque capacity that allows
a higher weight on bit for increased ROP for more productive drilling.
Performance that
increases drilling efficiency

The PowerDrive vorteX systems

bearing package and transmission
section are specifically designed
for high operating loads, ensuring
reliable, consistent performance
during extended runs. Compared
with conventional RSSs, the
PowerDrive vorteX system
provides additional torque and
higher revolutions per minute,
translating to higher ROP, more
efficient drilling, and longer runs.
On a rig that lacks the power
to rotate the drillstring during
conventional directional drilling,
the PowerDrive vorteX system
increases the rigs operating
envelope, allowing the use of
proven RSS techniques to improve
directional performance and
drilling efficiency.
The PowerDrive vorteX systems
integrated power section rapidly
rotates the bit and optionally
permits drillstring rotation to
be slowed. Stick/slip and other
damaging vibration modes common
to conventional RSS drilling are
reduced. All available energy
is used to drill the hole efficiently
and maximize the ROP. Casing wear
and drillstring fatigue in sections
with high dogleg severity are
reduced, lessening the chance
of drillstring or casing failure.

All external parts of the PowerDrive

vorteX system rotate at drillstring
speed, which reduces drag and
improves ROP. The rotation also
helps clean and condition the hole,
lowering the risk of differential
or mechanical sticking.
To optimize its performance,
the PowerDrive vorteX system
can be stabilized at any of four
locations along its length. This
choice of locations makes it easy
to tailor the system to suit all
directional drilling needs.

Conventional RSS

PowerDrive vorteX RSS

Automatic downhole
control for greater accuracy

The PowerDrive vorteX system

has an inclination hold function
that allows a tangent or horizontal
section to be drilled automatically,
without intervention from the
directional driller. This automatic
downhole control makes it possible
to drill a hold section at a higher
ROP and with greater accuracy
than a conventional-control
setup operated from the surface
can achieve.

Because the PowerDrive vorteX system

rotates at drillstring speed, stick/slip and other
damaging vibration modes are reduced.

PowerDrive vorteX

System Specifications
PowerDrive vorteX 475

PowerDrive vorteX 675

PowerDrive vorteX 962

Nominal OD (API)

121 mm [4.75 in]

178 mm [6.75 in]

245 mm [9.625 in]

Hole size

149 to 168 mm [578 to 658 in]

213 to 251 mm [838 to 978 in]

311 to 559 mm [1214 to 22 in]

Max. collar OD

137 mm [5.38 in]

at stabilizer slick housings

191 mm [7.5 in]

at stabilizer slick housings

345 mm [11 in]

at stabilizer slick housings

Overall length

9 m [30 ft]

13 m [43 ft]

15.43 m [50.6 ft]

Max. collar dogleg

30 dega/30 m [30 dega/100 ft] sliding,

15 dega/30 m [15 dega/100 ft] rotating

20 dega/30 m [20 dega/100 ft] sliding,

10 dega/30 m [10 dega/100 ft] rotating

20 dega/30 m [20 dega/100 ft] sliding,

10 dega/30 m [10 dega/100 ft] rotating

Max. operating torque

4,474 N.m [3,300 ft-lbf]

with greater torque (GT) power section

11,000 N.m [8,000 ft-lbf]

with GT power section

30,000 N.m [22,000 ft-lbf]

with GT power section

Max. WOB

133,000 N [30,000 lbf]

270,000 N [60,000 lbf]

270,000 N [60,000 lbf]

Weight of assembly in air

1,071 kg [2,355 lbm]

2,463 kg [5,420 lbm]

4,037 kg [8900 lbm]

Max.

LCM

142.8

kg/m3

[50 lbm/bbl nut plug]

142.8

kg/m3

[50 lbm/bbl nut plug]

142.8 kg/m3 [50 lbm/bbl nut plug]

Flow range

378 to 1,135 L/min

[100 to 300 galUS/min]

1,135 to 2,460 L/min

[300 to 650 galUS/min]

2,270 to 4,540 L/min

[600 to 1,200 galUS/min]

Lateral vibrations

Shock Level 3 (50 gn threshold);

30-min limit

Shock Level 3 (50 gn threshold);

30-min limit

Shock Level 3 (50 gn threshold);

30-min limit

Stick/slip

100% mean rotational speed;

30-min limit

100% mean rotational speed;

30-min limit

100% mean rotational speed;

30-min limit

Max. surface rotational speed

170 rpm at 378 L/min [100 galUS/min];

70 rpm at 1,135 L/min [300 galUS/min]

120 rpm at 1,135 L/min [300 galUS/min];

40 rpm at 2,460 L/min [650 galUS/min]

120 rpm at 2,270 L/min [600 galUS/min];

90 rpm at 4,540 L/min [1,200 galUS/min]

Max. speed at bit

250 rpm

220 rpm

220 rpm

Max. temperature

150 degC [302 degF]

150 degC [302 degF]

150 degC [302 degF]

Max. hydrostatic pressure

138 MPa [20,000 psi]

124 MPa [18,000 psi]

124 MPa [18,000 psi]

Min. operating pressure drop at min. flow

5.2 MPa [800 psi]

5.2 MPa [800 psi]

8.3 MPa [1,200 psi]

Recommended pressure drop across bit

1.4 to 5.2 MPa [200 to 750 psi]

4.1 to 5.2 MPa [600 to 750 psi]

4.1 to 5.5 MPa [600 to 800 psi]

Mud sand content

1% by volume

1% by volume

1% by volume

Power section top

312 reg API

412 reg API

6 58 or 7 58 reg API

Bit box

312

412

6 58 reg API

Rotary Connections
reg API

reg API

Sensors

Inclination accuracy

0.4 dega (0.05 dega resolution)

0.4 dega (0.05 dega resolution)

0.4 dega (0.05 dega resolution)

Azimuth accuracy

0.8 dega (0.10 dega resolution)

0.8 dega (0.10 dega resolution)

0.8 dega (0.10 dega resolution)

Shock detector threshold,

radial (memory only)

50 gn 5 gn (500 gn max. peak)

50 gn 5 gn (500 gn max. peak)

50 gn 5 gn (500 gn max. peak)

Weight on bit
circulation material

Lost

PowerDrive vorteX

FEATURES

Integrated power section

that converts mud hydraulic
power to additional mechanical
power at bit
Fast bit rotation
High-performance bearings
and transmission package
External components that
all rotate at drillstring speed
Compatibility with a wide range
of drillstring rotation speeds
Multiple stabilization options
Optional automatic tangent
and inclination hold function

REWARDS

High-performance directional
drilling, from spud to total depth
High ROP in hard-rock drilling
applications
Increased operating envelope
for rigs with low torque capacity

Fully integrated, high-torque power section

www.slb.com/PowerDrive
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Copyright 2008 Schlumberger. All rights reserved. 08-DR-103