Unlocking Performance in Extended Horizontals with Lower Flow Rates
As drilling rates have improved over the past decade, flow rates continue to increase to meet the demands of hole cleaning and cuttings evacuation. This presents challenges as lateral sections become longer and hydraulic losses through the drillstring and the annulus generate higher pressures. Pumping at higher pressures is a major draw on rigsite power generation. Rig power systems are being pushed to their limit across North America, with blackout occurrences becoming more frequent. In addition, many wells are now limited by pump pressure near TD, which negatively impacts on-bottom drilling performance.
Rigs are being upgraded across North America, becoming tailored for longer laterals and more challenging well trajectories. However, pumping harder at higher pressures is not always the answer. This case study focuses on a 1200HP 7500psi super triple that became limited on pressure and power draw from the three generators on site. This rig is equipped with a full suite of fuel monitoring sensors and a battery energy storage system, allowing for a complete dataset to optimize the power system for all rig operations.
Flow rate tests and Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD) modelling reveal a “tipping point” in the lateral, after which higher flow rates do not yield higher ROP while still maintaining effective hole cleaning and reducing power draw. This enabled a flow rate roadmap to be implemented on future wells, resulting in more consistent ROP and power draw (within capacity) throughout the lateral. The rig power system could then be further optimized since pumping at high pressures in the lateral created the highest continuous load.
This paper explores relationships between flow rates at high pressure versus power draw and fuel consumption. Creative solutions to optimize rig power generation, manage instantaneous peak demand, and reduce diesel consumption will be discussed. A holistic approach is taken, accounting for flow rates (hole cleaning, ECD, ROP), downhole motor selection, drilling parameters, and the use of a battery energy storage system and dynamic gas blending at high substitution rates to displace diesel.
Registration closes on Monday, May 25 at 8AM MDT.
Date/Time
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Registration: 11:45 AM MDT
Start Time: 12:00 PM MDT
End Time: 1:00 PM MDT
Location
Calgary Petroleum Club | 319 5 Ave SW, Calgary, AB, T2P 0L5
*This event will be in-person only, and will not be recorded.
Speaker Bio
Justin Weinkauf, P.Eng.
Manager of Drilling Performance, Precision Drilling
Justin is Manager, Drilling Performance at Precision Drilling, where he specializes in diagnosing performance gaps and driving measurable improvements across a range of drilling programs. A licensed professional engineer with APEGA and a Petroleum Engineering graduate of Montana Tech and SAIT, Justin has built his career on a singular focus: Drilling Performance. His technical expertise lies in identifying the true constraints limiting drilling performance — and engineering solutions that deliver results without defaulting to capital expenditure. In a range of drilling programs where performance bottlenecks are amplified and costly, Justin has developed and implemented strategies that redefine what's achievable with existing assets. Beyond his operational role, Justin is deeply committed to advancing the engineering profession. He serves as an Industry Board Member at Montana Tech, contributing to the strategic direction of the institution that shaped his own engineering foundation, and is an active Capstone Project Mentor with the PET program at SAIT, where he guides the next generation workforce through real-world, industry-grounded problem solving.
**Please Note
Lunch will be served. Please be sure to include your dietary restrictions during the online registration process so we can do our best to accommodate.
An event reminder will be sent the day before and the morning of the event.
Group Discounts
Group discounts are now available! A discount of 10% will be applied at checkout for groups of 6-9 people, and a discount of 15% will be applied for groups of 10+ people. Please note the discount will only be applied if all tickets are purchased in the same transaction.
If you wish to reserve a table, please email calgarysection@spe.org and specify your company name and the specific event title/date to hold the reservation. Please note that table reservations only apply to groups of 8.
Tiered Pricing
We are rolling out a new tiered pricing structure for all upcoming Calgary Section Technical Luncheons. This updated approach allows us to offer lower prices for SPE Members while ensuring continued value for non-members. The new system includes three pricing tiers, with a limited number of Tier 1 and Tier 2 tickets available to encourage and reward early registration. We hope this creates more flexibility and choice for everyone attending our events. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us at calgarysection@spe.org.
Group Discount (10+ People)