Operator saves five rig days with 100% recovery of 720 ft of core

Overview

In the Middle East, an operator faced a critical challenge to minimize coring runs while maintaining high-quality core recovery. Both objectives proved difficult because longer barrels reduce the number of runs but increase risks such as jamming in interbedded formations and hazards at the surface when handling long cores. The operation also required the team to start the coring run 10 ft below the casing shoe with the bottomhole assembly still inside the casing, which added further complexity.

Halliburton collaborated with the operator to design and implement a solution that would deliver operational efficiency, reduce rig time, and ensure safety and service quality throughout the process.

Challenge

The operator aimed to capture a continuous 720 ft core in one run to support reservoir evaluation and reduce rig time. The targeted carbonate formation posed significant risks because interbedded layers could cause jamming, and a long barrel at the surface introduced HSE concerns. The coring point was only
10 ft below the casing shoe, so the run began with the bottomhole assembly inside the casing. Conventional multi-run methods would extend rig time, increase exposure, and raise costs, making a single-run solution the clear objective.

Solution

Halliburton engineered a comprehensive approach to achieve the operator’s objective in one run. The team deployed the 6 ¾ in. x 4 in. RockStrong™ coring system with a 720 ft barrel in the 8 ½ in. section, paired with an optimized corehead design. The corehead featured advanced, shaped cutters for superior cutting efficiency and durability.

Success depended on more than technology. Halliburton executed detailed planning to mobilize all equipment and backups on time and to achieve readiness with a detailed Design of Service (DOS) for the extended barrel run. The team also developed procedures to lay down the long core safely on the surface to mitigate HSE risks.

This integrated solution eliminated additional trips, reduced rig time, and safeguarded operational integrity while maintaining service quality throughout the operation.

Result

The operation delivered 720 ft of core in a single run with 100% recovery and efficiency, removed the need for multiple trips, and saved five rig days. Coring performance improved with a 6% higher ROP compared to the previous offset well in the same field. No HSE or service quality incidents occurred, and the operator obtained high-quality core samples for analysis.