Advanced Services Engineering (ASE) is an independent applications organization within Smith that provides expert drill bit selection engineering to Smith Bits customers. This service is founded on the recognition that time demands on drilling supervision frequently preclude a sufficiently thorough selection process for bits. This situation can result in less than optimum bit performance. Smith's ASE program provides a highly experienced bit application specialist to a customer's drilling team to generate objective bit selection recommendations and advise both the operator and Smith on day to day requirements for maintaining superior bit performance.
Correct selection and utilization of drill bits have significant impact on drilling costs. A bit's performance and its interrelationship with the rig capability, bottom hole assembly, mud, and the formation to be drilled, can contribute, either favorably or unfavorably, to costs. ASEs consider the entire drilling environment including, formation, drilling fluids, rig capabilities, crew, and any special drilling objectives in their process of finding an optimum bit then maintaining its efficiency throughout its life.
ASEs are a complementary part of a drilling team. ASE goals are always congruent with customer drilling objectives. Recommendations are based on the best product for an application, independent of manufacturer. In addition, ASE engineers provide a feedback loop to Smith Bits design engineers which leads to continual product improvement. To establish measurable goals, ASEs prepare and gain the drilling team's agreement to a comprehensive well plan that evaluates performance during drilling. On completion, a post-well analysis measures the success of the plan and provides a permanent, formal reference for future development wells.
Smith’s Advanced Services Engineering has systematically produced favorable economic results for the projects and producing assets where it has been employed. ASEs are currently on site throughout the world in a spectrum of drilling operations including multiple rig developments, exploration wells, shallow and deep offshore wells, and directional and extended reach applications.
