Operator was drilling a horizontal section
in a North Sea development project.

       With about 300 meters of horizontal hole drilled, the operator began to experience severe drag and torque, and metal shavings appeared in the cuttings. Thuslick™ was added to the water based mud system at this point. Torque came down immediately, and stabilized at a figure 15 Kft.lbs. for the rest of the well. Metal shavings disappeared at once and the cuttings have remained free of metal shavings since. The well was drilled to T.D. (and additional 1600 meters) without further problems.