Baker Hughes runs HPHT logging tools in ultra-deep Davy Jones well

Baker Hughes has successfully deployed its Nautilus Ultra logging tools, designed for high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) environments, at the McMoRan Exploration Davy Jones ultra-deep gas discovery on the shelf in the Gulf of Mexico.

Baker Hughes was employed to re-enter an existing well, set a whipstock at approximately 17,300 ft and drill to over 29,000 ft measured depth in the HPHT conditions of the Gulf of Mexico shelf Lower Tertiary formations.

Logging operations were conducted at 28,134 ft and included acoustic, gamma ray, density and neutron logs. During the drilling and formation evaluation operation, McMoRan experienced no nonproductive time due to whipstock, drill bit, drilling fluids and liner hanger operations.

The challenges encountered during the operation ranged from executing a reliable sidetrack, improving well stability, designing a robust, reliable drilling system to withstand the extreme pressures and temperatures and obtaining logging data.

Richard Williams, Baker Hughes president of Gulf of Mexico operations, noted, “The deep shelf in the Gulf holds immense promise, but the technological challenges have been daunting. This well illustrates that we can overcome this extreme downhole environment.”