Our Track Record
Inco-Drilling leads the way in directional drilling technology, driving innovation in the field. Our specialized expertise in directional drilling is crucial for successful projects in various sectors, including geothermal energy. Our clients rely on our expertise to deliver efficient and reliable directional drilling solutions that achieve their project objectives. Explore our diverse project portfolios to see how we've partnered with clients to deliver exceptional results through precise directional drilling.
Germany: Repurposing Coal Mines to Geothermal AC Heating System
Challenges faced:
- 3D Mapping Challenge: Reconstructing accurate 3D mine gallery maps from 18th-century drawings.
- Steep Formation Challenge: Drilling through formations with dips exceeding 70 degrees, which can complicate wellbore trajectory control.
- Legacy Infrastructure Risk: Avoiding potential collisions with abandoned coal mine underground infrastructure, which may pose safety and operational hazards.
- Magnetic Interference: Managing the impact of magnetic disturbances on drilling equipment.
- Depth Uncertainty Risk: Addressing the uncertainty in mine depth with hand-drawings from the 18th century, which can lead to unexpected drilling conditions and potential equipment damage.
- Spatial Limitation: Extraordinary precision positioning the wellbore within a limited 2x2m tunnel intersection, requiring careful planning and execution.
Our solutions:
- Developed a detailed 3D model of the mine using advanced geological and historical data analysis.
- Successfully implemented a cutting-edge Gyro-While-Drilling system to enable precise real-time wellbore positioning robust against magnetic interference.
- Selected specialized drill bits to maintain accurate wellbore trajectory through challenging coal formations.
- Achieved precise well placement, including a successful intersection with a 2x2m tunnel at a depth of 1000m with steerable motor technologies.
The Netherlands: Leveraging Geothermal Energy for Greenhouse Heating Independence
Challenges faced:
- Kick-off drilling in the North Sea Sands: Starting directional drilling in unconsolidated formations, characterized by a relatively large borehole size.
- Formation Challenges: Dealing with swelling clays, hard sandstones, chalk, and chert formations.
- Wellbore Instability: Managing severe build-up and drop tendencies throughout the wellbore.
- Near-Wellbore Risk: Potential for collisions with nearby wells less than 10 meters away.
Our solutions:
- Selected motor power sections and drill bits designed for maximum performance.
- Designed and used custom-made drill bits to ensure directional control with minimal wear.
- Adopted effective technologies to reduce costly liabilities like Lost-In-Hole incidents.
- Conducted BHA (Bottom Hole Assembly) analysis to align with natural formation tendencies, minimizing sliding times.
Iceland: Fracture Intersection to Harness Geothermal Energy
Challenges faced:
- Igneous and Metamorphic Formations: Drilling through challenging igneous and metamorphic rocks (volcanic drilling).
- Magnetic Interference: Managing magnetic disturbances from igneous rocks that can interfere with downhole tools.
- Formation Loss: Potential for significant formation loss due to high fracture density.
- Geological Dip Influence: Addressing the impact of strong geological dips on wellbore trajectory.
Our solutions:
- Implemented detailed planning and tolerance management strategies.
- Utilized advanced BHA control techniques and strengthen survey accuracy.
- Employed cost-effective technologies to assess magnetic interference.
- Selected optimal stabilization points for efficient weight transfer.
Switzerland: Gneiss Drilling for Artesian Geothermal Well
Challenges faced:
- Difficult Drilling Environment: Drilling through abrasive metamorphic gneiss, which exponentially accelerates tool wear and reduce drilling efficiency.
- Severe Equipment Wear: Managing extreme equipment wear caused by fine granite particles, leading to increased maintenance and downtime.
- Remote Logistics: Overcoming logistical challenges associated with a remote location, including transportation, spare parts availability, and rapid equipment turnaround times.
- Regulatory and Social Considerations: Adhering to stringent regulations and addressing public concerns to ensure smooth operations.
- Formation Fracture Risk: Mitigating the risk of fluid loss and potential equipment damage due to intersecting fractures in the formation.
Our solutions:
- Implemented effective wellbore stability techniques to control drilling operations in metamorphic gneiss.
- Selected appropriate drilling technology to reduce shock and vibration, minimizing equipment wear and improving drilling efficiency.
- Utilized proven drilling techniques to minimize lost-in-hole liabilities and improve operational efficiency.
- Used diamond hard-facing to protect critical drilling components from wear and tear, extending equipment life and reducing maintenance requirements.
- Employed advanced hammer drilling motor technology to improve rock-breaking efficiency and increase penetration rates, leading to faster drilling progress.
Germany and the Netherlands: CCS & Gas Storage
Challenges faced:
- Unstable Formation Challenge: Drilling through unconsolidated formations in the North Sea, which can lead to borehole instability.
- Extreme Wellbore Trajectory: Navigating severe wellbore trajectory changes, including 8-degree doglegs in both build and drop sections, which require precise drilling control.
- Limited Maneuvering Space: Operating in a constrained drilling environment with no room for error or corrections to the wellbore trajectory.
- Near-Wellbore Risk: Mitigating the risk of collisions with nearby wells, which are less than 10 meters away, requiring precise wellbore placement.
- Cavern Depth Uncertainty: Addressing the uncertainty in cavern depth, which can lead to unexpected drilling conditions and potential equipment damage.
- Precise Cavern Intersection: Achieving a precise vertical wellbore intersection with the cavern to accommodate logging equipment and ensure successful well completion.
Our solutions:
- Tailored the bottom hole assembly (BHA) with appropriate bent motor configurations to achieve the required drilling rates and wellbore trajectory.
- Conducted comprehensive engineering analysis of hydraulics and drilling component stiffness to overcome the challenges associated with short-radius wells and ensure successful wellbore placement.
- Selected specialized drill bits with superior steering capabilities to maintain accurate wellbore trajectory and minimize drilling deviations.
- Assembled a dedicated project team committed to understanding and meeting client objectives, ensuring a collaborative and successful drilling operation.
- Precise drilling by placing the well only 0.2 meters from the center of the target.
While geothermal and other sources of sustainable energy remains paramount, natural gas still plays an important role in the energy security. Its ability to keep energy supply and demand stable shows why it remains important in today's energy system.
France, UK & Austria: Natural Gas Development
Challenges faced:
- Well Collision Risk: Numerous nearby wells on each pad required precise directional control.
- Strict Directional Plan Compliance: The well plan had to be strictly followed to prevent deviations.
- Mature Field Complexity: Continuous drilling was needed to sustain production levels.
- Cost and Liability Management: Avoiding high costs and lost-in-hole risks with conventional motor assemblies.
- High Motor Differentials: Required operational pressure of 25-35 bar.
- Efficient Drilling Execution: Each well had to be completed within a strict 14-day timeline while reaching a total depth (TD) of approximately 3100m MD.
- Stringent HSE Standards: Compliance with strict safety and environmental regulations.
Our solutions:
- Successfully drilled 4 wells each reaching +/- 3100m MD, in less than 14 days each, staying within budget.
- Used conventional mud motor systems for high-precision directional drilling.
- Supplied reliable equipment and highly experienced personnel.
- Achieved 100% adherence to the directional well plan.
- Delivered strong communication and collaboration with all companies on site.
- Maintained excellent HSE records and followed all safety protocols.
