Record Single BHA Run for Extended Lateral Drilling
In 2024, ProDirectional achieved a company-record single BHA run of 17,944 feet while drilling for Surge Energy on the Latshaw 10 well. This performance reflects the ability of ProDirectional’s directional drilling systems, MWD technology, and Remote Operations Center to maintain tool stability, telemetry integrity, and drilling efficiency over extended lateral distances.
Long single-run BHAs are one of the most demanding benchmarks in modern horizontal drilling. Every additional foot increases mechanical load on motors, increases vibration exposure on MWD electronics, and increases the risk of telemetry degradation. Completing nearly 18,000 feet in one BHA run requires exceptional power section reliability, optimized motor design, and disciplined downhole monitoring.
Why Long BHA Runs Matter
Single BHA performance is one of the clearest indicators of directional drilling quality. Fewer trips mean:
-
Reduced non-productive time
-
Lower well costs
-
Improved hole quality
-
Higher ROP consistency
-
Less risk to formation integrity
For operators drilling long laterals, BHA reliability directly impacts project economics. ProDirectional designs its motors, telemetry systems, and drilling assemblies to deliver consistent torque, controlled vibration, and stable signal quality over extended runs.
Technology Behind the Record
This record run was supported by:
-
ProDirectional high-torque mud motors
-
Precision MWD and survey systems
-
Real-time monitoring from the ProDirectional ROC
-
Rig-level coordination and field support
By integrating downhole tool data with remote operations oversight, ProDirectional ensures early detection of vibration, torque changes, and drilling anomalies. This allows crews to adjust parameters before tool failure or signal loss occurs.
What This Run Proves About ProDirectional
The Latshaw 10 performance demonstrates that ProDirectional’s drilling systems are built for:
-
Long-lateral horizontal wells
-
High-load downhole environments
-
Extended BHA endurance
-
Stable telemetry at depth
This run reflects not only the durability of ProDirectional’s hardware but also the strength of its engineering, operations, and field execution teams.