Nabors is redefining what’s possible in extended reach drilling. In a recent project with SierraCol Energy, Nabors deployed its Integra™ MPD-Ready® Express System to tackle Colombia’s notoriously complex formations. The result: faster wells, stronger stability, and significant cost savings. This project showcases how integrated pressure control, smart automation, and lean execution transform drilling performance across Latin America.
The Challenge: Complex Geology, Costly Complications
Colombia’s subsurface formations are unpredictable and unforgiving. Operators face constant pressure fluctuations and narrow geomechanical windows that can quickly derail a drilling program. Stuck pipe, unstable wellbores, and inefficient cleanouts had become routine leading to operational delays and elevated costs.
The Breakthrough: Precision Pressure Control with MPD Ready® Express
To overcome the challenges of Colombia’s tight pressure margins and unpredictable formations, Nabors deployed its MPD Ready® Express System—a lightweight, rapidly deployable managed pressure drilling solution engineered for agility and control. Installed on a Pace®-X rig, the system provided real-time wellbore pressure stability while seamlessly integrating with Nabors’ rig equipment and crew workflows. Its compact design enabled fast rig-up and rig-down, significantly reducing non-productive time and footprint.
The simplified operating model also allowed for crew optimization, requiring only three MPD personnel to run the system—freeing up valuable resources on location. Despite the complexity of the wells and pressure regimes, Nabors completed more than 20 MPD-Ready® Express operations over the past year without a single HSE incident, demonstrating the system’s reliability and the team’s commitment to safe, high-performance drilling.
The Payoff: Faster Drilling, Safer Operations, Lower Costs
The impact was immediate and measurable. By optimizing bottomhole pressure and reducing operational complexity, the project delivered:
- $200K average savings in operational costs, equivalent to a 13% reduction in flat times
- 8,000 ft ERD sections with improved wellbore conditions allowing us to reduce the mechanical sections from 4 to 2
- 85% faster MPD rig-up/rig-down—cutting setup time from 26 to 3 hours
- 40% faster connection times using SmartDRILL® process automation
- 25% trip speed improvement across the well
- Over 60% reduction in heavy mud volume and circulation
Read the full case study here.
To learn more about the methodology and detailed performance data behind these results, read the full technical paper here.
The Future: Scalable Success Across Latin America
This Colombia case study proves that Nabors’ MPD-Ready® Express is more than just a system—it’s a strategic enabler. With optimized rig time and safer, more stable drilling, it’s a model for how high-performance drilling can scale across the region. For operators seeking to unlock deeper potential in extended reach environments, the path forward is clear—and Nabors is already paving the way.
Case Study Authors
From Nabors: Fabian Romero and Andrea León
From SierraCol: Ivan Orozco, Vladimir Zamora, Jose Rojas, Lorena Fonseca, and Christian Gonzales