THE NORTH SEA
M-I's acquisition of Anchor Drilling Fluids
has added drilling technology and experienced personnel,valuable here and around the world.

 

 

(Click on center picture for a personal profile.)
M-I Drilling Fluids in Stavanger, Norway provides the North Sea drilling operators a full array of drilling fluids systems. Pictured above (l to r) Anders Hou, operations manager, Denmark; Nils Olaf Sola, regional manager and Ketil Haugland, operations manager, Bergen.
 
Anchor Acquisition Brings New People, Technology and Markets M-I Drilling fluids, owned 64 percent by Smith and 36 percent by Halliburton, strengthened its capabilities and expanded its geographic coverage in 1996 with the acquisition of Anchor Drilling Fluids AS, a subsidiary of Transocean AS of Norway.

The Anchor acquisition was key in many ways to M-I's growth strategy. Anchor's 500 people brought experience in North Sea drilling technologies and practices. Geographically, Anchor strengthened M-I's service capabilities in Canada, the U.K., Norway, Denmark, Nigeria, Vietnam and Malaysia. Among Anchor's premium products are its North Sea emulsification fluids package and its high-temperature, high-pressure, water-base of drilling systems.

During the year, M-I revenues rose 35 percent. Solid growth in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Indonesia, the Middle East, India and Algeria contributed to the overall result. In the environmentally sensitive Gulf of Mexico, M-I's NOVA line of synthetic drilling fluids is helping customers meet the demands of the difficult deep water projects while meeting stringent environmental requirements.
 
M-I/SWACO Integrated Fluid Engineering Initiative Takes Shape Oil and gas operators and drilling contractors are investing in premium fluids systems that can deliver enhanced drilling rates, maintain the integrity of oil and gas reservoirs and protect the natural environment.. M-I and SWACO are leaders in developing systems for achieving these goals.

This Integrated Fluids Engineering (IFESM) initiative began with the identification of eight compelling customer needs:

  • Higher drilling rates and lower total well costs
  • The reduction of "unscheduled events"
  • Improved hole diameter
  • Reduced dilution rates, maintenance costs and waste generation
  • Greater efficiency in transporting and reconditioning fluids and wastes
  • Improved reservoir evaluation
  • Less formation damage and improved reservoir protection
  • Lower health, safety and environmental risk and regulatory compliance

The IFE initiative responds to these needs with a coordinated program that encompases M-I and SWACO capabilities and uses their advanced technologies. Our programs result in lower development costs for our customers and improved safety and envrironmental sensitivity. Customer priorities are now being addressed with a "total fluids plan" for significant projects. This plan includes a single source for drilling fluids, drill-in fluids, completion fluids, solids control and waste managment. Comprehensive health, safety and environmental planning is conducted in advance of drilling. Compliance with the plan is monitored closely by project engineers throughout the drilling process.

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