Offshore staff
HOUSTON – Enteq Upstream has introduced the SABER (Steer-At-Bit Enteq Rotary) tool for directional drilling.
Shell has proven and tested an evolution of the concept, and the system is now ready for next-stage field trials.
Instead of pads or plates for geosteering, SABER uses an internally directed pressure differential system to steer from the drill bit face, providing true ‘at-bit’ geosteering, according to the company.
The mechanically simple design, the company adds, avoids the need for traditional pistons and pads susceptible to rapid wear and reliability issues, resulting in a smoother, more precise wellbore with easy to manage directional control.
Enteq is pitching the system as a reliable, simple and cost-effective directional drilling alternative to current rotary steerable system (RSS) options.
The company licensed the designs and intellectual property from Shell in September 2019 following successful initial trials. Its technical team has since re-engineered the concept.
SABER should be ready for commercial operation later this year.
03/02/2021
