PowerDrive X6

Rotary Steerable System for high-performance

drilling and accurate wellbore placement
PowerDrive X6
T
he PowerDrive* rotary steerable systems
(RSS) were developed to optimize directional
drilling. These systems represent a step
change in reliability and efficiency, facilitating
the drilling of longer runs, optimizing wellbore
placement, and reducing drilling time by drilling shoe
to total depth in one run at maximum ROP. The cost
savings that result can be direct and substantial. Full
rotation reduces drag, improves ROP, decreases the
risk of sticking, and achieves superior hole cleaning.
It also improves wellbore smoothness and decreases
tortuosity, which reduces drilling torque and eliminates
unplanned wiper trips. Penetration rates are improved
because there are no stationary components, which
eliminates the friction that reduces efficiency and
anchors the BHA in the hole. The flow of drilled cuttings
past the BHA is enhanced because annular bottlenecks
are not created in the wellbore.
Larger operating envelope
The push-the-bit PowerDrive X6* RSS is the latest
in the Schlumberger family of rotary steerable
systems. With more robust and wider flow ranges, the
PowerDrive X6 tool minimizes the effects of external
drilling environment factors, improving performance
and reliability. The robust, improved control of the
PowerDrive X6 RSS is able to handle higher mud
weights, wider flow ranges and drilling dynamics,
aggressive muds, and small debris, making it suitable
for harsh environments.
Dual impeller control and a new impeller design provide
a wider operating envelope, allowing the PowerDrive X6
tool to drill at higher mud weights with improved control.
The higher operational envelope provided by the much
wider flow range brings RSS benefits to wells where it
was not previously possible.
Full directional control
The PowerDrive X6 RSS is designed for full directional
control while rotating the drillstring. An automatic
inclination hold and efficient downlink function minimize
the interaction with the directional driller needed to
maintain directional control while drilling ahead. Less
time needed for surface interaction means more time
spent drillingup to 15% improvement in drilling
performance has resulted from increasing productive
time on bottom every drilling day.
Near-bit measurements, available in real time, ensure
accurate, efficient drilling and wellbore placement.
Efficient downlink systems and automatic inclination
hold provide a smooth tangent section and improve
true vertical depth accuracy in the horizontal section
critical for maximizing recoverable reserves and the
wells production potential.
An MWD-type triaxial sensor package close to the bit
provides accurate azimuth and inclination directional
information, which allows fast, responsive directional
control in either automatic or manual operation mode.
Once a target formation has been penetrated, the
trajectory can be locked in using the inclination hold
functionality. No further input is required from
the directional driller.
The PowerDrive X6 RSS maintains control under
the most difficult conditions, bringing the benefits of rotary
steerable systems to the harshest environments.
New Features
and Benefits

Upgrades to the PowerDrive X6
control unit include

new torquer design that
provides extra torque for
stick and slip and jamming
situations

new bearing design
and materials that are
more resistant to high
temperatures and aggressive
mud environments

smarter electronic boards that
enable power redundancy
(dual impeller control)
improve resistance to
stick and slip
optimize real-time
communication
increase the
operating envelope

new impeller design
that increases available
hydraulic torque, improving
toolface control

more sophisticated
inclination hold algorithms,
faster downlinks.

expanding the operating envelope

minimizing the effect of drilling dynamics such as stick and slip

providing better control during jamming

improving jam resistance

maintaining toolface control for more precise steering

maintaining real-time communications at all times

achieving longer runs

reducing NPT.
PowerDrive X6
Steering decisions are further aided by an optional real-time azimuthal
gamma ray measurement and imaging of the wellbore to provide information
on formation dip or fault boundaries. An azimuthal gamma ray sensor
close to the bit enables drillers and geologists to identify bed boundaries
quickly, allowing faster response to formation changes. This optimizes
well placement and casing and coring point detection. It also minimizes
penetration of formations to be cored and significantly reduces the chances
of drilling through a potentially valuable core section or wasting time coring
an uninteresting formation.
Improved reliability
The more robust PowerDrive X6 system maintains control while drilling in
rough environments, including stick and slip situations and drilling dynamics.

A robust steering section and advanced coating materials that mitigate
wear ensure reliable, consistent performance in a wide range of drilling
environments. Optimized flow profiles reduce the risk of sticking, limit the
effects of mud solids, and reduce erosion of internal and external downhole
components. The systems electronics, which are chassis-mounted for
REDUCED COST,
INCREASED CONFIDENCE
The improved overall reliability of the robust PowerDrive X6 RSS
increases confidence and reduces cost by
reliability and durability, can operate in downhole temperatures as high as
300 degF [150 degC].
All PowerDrive X6 external parts rotate, which reduces drag, improves
ROP, decreases the risk of differential or mechanical sticking, and achieves
superior hole cleaning and conditioning. Working in combination with
the systems automatic trajectory functionality, the full rotation increases
wellbore smoothness and decreases tortuosity. This reduces drilling torque,
improves drilling efficiency, and eliminates the need for unplanned wiper
trips. The smooth wellbore also makes it easier to run casing and simplifies
activities later in the life of the well, such as coiled tubing intervention and
electrical submersible pump installation.
Proven results
Reliability has increased significantly in locations where PowerDrive X6
is being used. In field tests, the PowerDrive X6 RSS has drilled more than
1 million feet and 32,000 operating hours. Clients have experienced more
than 25% improvement in reliability running the PowerDrive X6 RSS, most
noticeably in smaller hole sizes.
More robust and wider flow ranges of the
PowerDrive X6 RSS minimize the effects of
external drilling environment factors, improving
performance and reliability.
Clients have experienced
more than 25% improvement
in reliability.
Specifications
PowerDrive X6 475 PowerDrive X6 675 PowerDrive X6 825 PowerDrive X6 900 PowerDrive X6 1100
Nominal OD (API) 4.75 in [120.7 mm] 6.75 in [171.5 mm] 8.25 in [209.6 mm] 9.00 in [228.6 mm] 9.50 in [241.3 mm]
Hole size 5
1
2 in to 6
3
4 in 7
7
8 in to 9
7
8 in 10
5
8 in to 11
5
8 in 12 in to 14
3
4 in 15
1
2 in to 28 in
Overall length 14.95 ft [4.56 m] 13.48 ft [4.11 m] 14.60 ft [4.45 m] 14.60 ft [4.45 m] 15.10 ft [4.60 m]
Max. collar dogleg 30/100 ft [30/30 m] sliding, 16/100 ft [16/30 m] sliding, 12/100 ft [12/30 m] sliding, 10/100 ft [10/30 m] sliding, 8/100 ft [8/30 m] and 4/100 ft [4/30 m]
10/100 ft [10/30 m] rotating 8/100 ft [8/30 m] rotating 6/100 ft [6/30 m] rotating 5/100 ft [5/30 m] rotating for hole sizes between 15
1
2 in and 18
1
2 in
4/100 ft [4/30 m] and 2/100 ft [2/30 m]
for hole sizes between 20 in to 28 in
Build rate 0 8/100 ft 0 8/100 ft 0 6/100 ft 0 5/100 ft 0 3/100 ft
Max. operating torque 4,000 ft.lbf [5,420 N.m] 16,000 ft.lbf [21,700 N.m] 16,000 ft.lbf [21,700 N.m] 48,000 ft.lbf [65,000 N.m] 48,000 ft.lbf [65,000 N.m]
Max. operating load 340,000 lbf [1,500,000 N] 1,100,000 lbf [4,900,000 N] 1,100,000 lbf [4,900,000 N] 1,400,000 lbf [6,200,000 N] 2,280,000 lbf [10,140,000 N]
Max. weight on bit 50,000 lbf [223,000 N] 65,000 lbf [290,000 N] 65,000 lbf [290,000 N] 65,000 lbf [290,000 N] 65,000 lbf [290,000 N]
Weight of assembly in air 754 lbf [3,300 N] 1,700 lbf [7,500 N] 1,900 lbf [8,455 N] 2,370 lbf [10,500 N] 2,584 lbf [11,490 N]
Max. lost circulation 35 lbm/bbl medium nut plug 50 lbm/bbl medium nut plug 50 lbm/bbl medium nut plug 50 lbm/bbl medium nut plug 50 lbm/bbl medium nut plug
material
Flow range 100380 galUS/min [3801,430 L/min]

200950 galUS/min [7503,590 L/min]

3002,000 galUS/min [1,1307,550 L/min]

3002,000 galUS/min [1,1307,550 L/min]

3002,000 galUS/min [1,1307,550 L/min]

Lateral vibrations Shock level 3 (50-g

n
threshold), Shock level 3 (50-g
n
threshold), Shock level 3 (50-g
n
threshold), Shock level 3 (50-g
n
threshold), Shock level 3 (50-g
n
threshold),
30-min limit 30-min limit 30-min limit 30-min limit 30-min limit
Stick/slip 100% mean rotational speed, 100% mean rotational speed, 100% mean rotational speed, 100% mean rotational speed, 100% mean rotational speed,
30-min limit 30-min limit 30-min limit 30-min limit 30-min limit
Max. rotational speed 220 rpm 220 rpm 220 rpm 220 rpm 220 rpm for hole sizes between 15
1
2 in to 18
1
2 in
125 rpm for hole sizes between 20 in to 28 in
Max. temperature 302 degF [150 degC] 302 degF [150 degC] 302 degF [150 degC] 302 degF [150 degC] 302 degF [150 degC]
Max. hydrostatic pressure 20,000 psi [138 MPa] 20,000 psi [138 MPa] 20,000 psi [138 MPa] 20,000 psi [138 MPa] 20,000 psi [138 MPa]
Pressure drop across tool Density (in lbm/galUS) Flow
2
(in galUS/min) Density (in lbm/galUS) Flow
2
(in galUS/min) Density (in lbm/galUS) Flow
2
(in galUS/min) Density (in lbm/galUS) Flow
2
(in galUS/min) Density (in lbm/galUS) Flow
2
(in galUS/min)
14,500 56,000 259,000 259,000 337,500
Recommended pressure 600750 psi [4.15.2 MPa] 600750 psi [4.15.2 MPa] 600750 psi [4.15.2 MPa] 600750 psi [4.15.2 MPa] 600750 psi [4.15.2 MPa]
drop across bit
Mud sand content 1% by volume 1% by volume 1% by volume 1% by volume 1% by volume
Rotary Connections
Collar upper connection 3
1
2 IF box 4
1
2 IF box 6
5
8 Reg box 6
5
8 Reg box 7
5
8 Reg box
Bit box 3
1
2 Reg 4
1
2 Reg 6
5
8 Reg 6
5
8 Reg 7
5
8 Reg
Sensors
Bit box to gamma ray 5.86 ft [1.79 m] 6.40 ft [1.95 m] 7.56 ft [2.30 m] 7.56 ft [2.30 m] 7.97 ft [2.43 m]
Bit box to inclination 6.73 ft [2.05 m] 7.27 ft [2.21 m] 8.43 ft [2.57 m] 8.43 ft [2.57 m] 8.83 ft [2.69 m]
Bit box to azimuth 8.83 ft [2.69 m] 9.37 ft [2.85 m] 10.53 ft [3.21 m] 10.53 ft [3.21 m] 10.93 ft [3.33 m]
Inclination accuracy 0.11 (at 1 sigma level) 0.11 (at 1 sigma level) 0.11 (at 1 sigma level) 0.11 (at 1 sigma level) 0.11 (at 1 sigma level)
Azimuth accuracy 1.8 at 90 inclination (at 1 sigma level) 1.8 at 90 inclination (at 1 sigma level) 1.8 at 90 inclination (at 1 sigma level) 1.8 at 90 inclination (at 1 sigma level) 1.8 at 90 inclination (at 1 sigma level)
Gamma ray accuracy, 5% (30-s averaging window) 5% (30-s averaging window) 5% (30-s averaging window) 5% (30-s averaging window) 5% (30-s averaging window)
azimuthal 4-quadrant
Shock detector threshold, 50 g
n
5 g
n
( 500 g
n
max. peak) 50 g
n
5 g
n
( 500 g
n
max. peak) 50 g
n
5 g
n
( 500 g
n
max. peak) 50 g
n
5 g
n
( 500 g
n
max. peak) 50 g
n
5 g
n
( 500 g
n
max. peak)
radial

depending on mud weight values

PowerDrive X6
www.slb.com/PowerDriveX6
*Mark of Schlumberger
Other company, product, and service names are the properties of their respective owners.
Copyright 2010 Schlumberger. All rights reserved. 10-DR-0233
PowerDrive X6
PRODUCTIVE DRILLING PUTS WELLS
IN THE BEST PLACE IN LESS TIME WITH

robust jam resistance for reliable controleven in harsh formations

near-bit inclination and formation evaluation measurements

improved downlink and inclination-hold function for precise well placement

real-time azimuthal gamma ray at bit for geostopping.