The rig type favored in unconventional plays—1,500 hp AC rigs—continues to mark significant efficiency gains vs. other rig types amid a downturn, according to the Land Rig Newsletter.
Since early 2014, wells drilled by AC rigs with drawworks of 1,500+ hp are reaching total depth at a pace of an average 33% faster vs. mechanical or SCR rigs of similar horsepower.
The emphasis on pad drilling has led to most new rig designs incorporating features such as quicker mobility, pipehandling automation, higher pressures for circulating drilling fluids, and other technological advances that reduce the number of pipe trips per well. YTD, wells drilled by AC rigs with drawworks rated to 1,500+ hp are averaging a pace of 1.5 wells per month.
This compares with non-AC 1,500+ hp rigs that are averaging 1.1 wells per month. A comparison of the two categories illustrates that in the past year the efficiency improvement has widened relative to 2014 measurements. The YTD average efficiency gain was nearly 40% greater with AC 1,500+ hp rigs.
12/7/15- #RigData US #rigcount is 794 active rigs (-32). 263 rigs moved last week and 1,329 drilling permits issued (+531).
