These consequences are amplified offshore, where vibration-related failures can require costly trips to replace damaged equipment, adding significant nonproductive time (NPT) to the drilling schedule.

NOV's PosiTrack™ Torsional Vibration Mitigation (TVM) tool was developed to help operators overcome these challenges. By actively reducing torsional and axial vibration while stabilizing the transfer of drilling energy to the bit, PosiTrack enables operators to drill with greater confidence, optimize drilling parameters more effectively, and improve overall drilling efficiency. Following years of successful deployments in onshore drilling campaigns, the technology is now demonstrating its value in a growing number of offshore applications across Norway, Brazil, and multiple African markets.

Expanding the drilling window

While conventional vibration mitigation tools often focus on protecting sensitive RSS and MWD/LWD electronics, they do not always address the broader challenge of maintaining smooth, consistent energy transfer throughout the BHA.

PosiTrack incorporates several technological innovations aimed at optimizing energy transfer and absorbing damaging stick-slip and HFTO before they impact downhole drilling tools.

A patented torque-transfer mechanism includes a proprietary bi-directional spline design, dual-spring system, and self-regulating mechanism-all engineered to help keep the tool energized and responsive throughout drilling operations. This design helps stabilize torque transmission and weight on bit (WOB), reducing the severity of HFTO, stick-slip, and axial vibration while maintaining smoother energy delivery to the drill bit.

PosiTrack's low-friction internal torque-transfer architecture and proprietary thread profile allow for rapid response to both high- and lower-frequency vibration events. An advanced sealing system-developed from NOV's decades of experience designing downhole stroking tools-helps protect the tool's internal components from harsh drilling environments, improving durability and operational reliability.

With vibration levels remaining lower and more consistent, operators can confidently apply higher WOB, optimize rotary speed, and utilize more aggressive drill bit designs. Even in less demanding drilling environments, the increased stability allows crews to push drilling parameters further while maintaining reliable tool performance, helping improve rate of penetration (ROP) and lower drilling cost per foot.

That capability becomes even more powerful as part of NOV's integrated drilling solutions portfolio.

As an OEM with technologies spanning the drilling operation, NOV is uniquely positioned to address drilling dysfunctions holistically-from balancing ReedHycalog bit designs with downhole tools to supplying Series 55RS motors for RSS BHAs, PosiTrack TVM and Agitator friction reduction tools, Grant Prideco™ drill pipe, SoftSpeed™ technology in NOV Top Drives, and NOVOS™ drilling process automation.

Equally important, PosiTrack complements the directional drilling service companies that deploy it. "By protecting high-value RSS and MWD/LWD equipment while improving drilling performance, we're helping strengthen the overall BHA while strengthening established service relationships," added Pontier.

Proving its value offshore

PosiTrack's recent offshore deployments demonstrate how its engineering advantages translate into measurable field performance.

One of the most significant recent successes occurred offshore West Africa, where an operator challenged NOV to improve drilling performance through highly interbedded limestone, sandstone, and dolomite formations containing hard stringers-an environment historically known for severe torque fluctuations and downhole tool failures.

NOV offered a PosiTrack with an aggressive ReedHycalog bit as part of an RSS and LWD BHA. The objective was to allow the bit to drill more quickly through the consolidated formations while PosiTrack protected the bit and BHA through hard stringers. Abrupt changes in rock properties can chip cutters, induce severe stick-slip, and transmit damaging loads into the RSS and LWD tools.

With PosiTrack incorporated into the BHA, the drilling team reported noticeably smoother torque response at surface. BitIQ™ sensor data in the ReedHycalog PDC bit confirmed the improvement downhole, demonstrating that the system-matched approach reduced shock and vibration while protecting the cutters and downhole tools and enabling higher WOB and revolutions per minute for improved ROP.

The operator completed the section more than 2.5 days ahead of plan, reducing schedule risk in an environment where an unplanned trip on a jackup rig can add hundreds of thousands of dollars in daily spread costs. The bit also returned to surface in excellent condition and was re-run with PosiTrack on the next challenging 8½-in. section, where the combination delivered repeated results.

Building momentum around the world

"The success offshore West Africa is part of a broader trend as PosiTrack expands into other offshore drilling campaigns around the world," said Che.

Offshore Brazil, NOV recently introduced the 9½-in. PosiTrack tool in a major pre-salt development. Deployed in a 12¼-in. × 13½-in. underreaming RSS BHA containing MWD/LWD equipment, the technology mitigated shock and vibration while drilling through hard interbedded anhydrite formations, supporting BHA reliability and more consistent performance in one of the industry's most technically demanding drilling environments.

In East Africa, another successful deployment further demonstrated customer confidence in the technology. After achieving strong performance in a 12¼-in. extended lateral hole section, the operator requested that PosiTrack be added in the BHA for the subsequent 6-in. lateral section of the same well-a strong endorsement of the tool's value during the drilling campaign.

Offshore Norway, one of the region's major fields presented significant drilling challenges stemming from complex geology. Hard stringers in the 17½-in. section generated severe drilling dysfunctions, while highly interbedded limestone formations complicated drilling in the 12¼-in. section. Historically, these conditions contributed to high axial shocks, severe stick-slip, erratic torque, downhole tool failures, and bit damage.

By deploying PosiTrack in both the 17½-in. and 12¼-in. BHAs, the directional drilling team observed a significant improvement in drilling dynamics compared with previous wells. PosiTrack helped reduce axial shocks, minimize erratic torque, and mitigate stick-slip vibrations, creating a more stable drilling environment.

"The bit, combined with the new NOV PosiTrack Torsional Vibration Mitigation tool, performed very well," according to the directional driller on the project. "Surface torque remained stable, and no erratic torque behavior was observed."

The results reinforced PosiTrack's ability to improve drilling efficiency and reliability across different offshore formations and hole sizes. Following the successful deployment, the operator plans to use the technology on future wells in the field.

Meanwhile, additional projects continue to expand the technology's offshore footprint. Ongoing work in East Africa and upcoming deployments offshore West Africa represent the next phase of PosiTrack's global growth as operators increasingly seek technologies that reduce drilling risk while enabling higher performance.

Looking ahead

Across these applications, PosiTrack is demonstrating that vibration mitigation can extend beyond protecting individual downhole tools to improve the performance of the drilling system as a whole. By stabilizing energy transfer throughout the BHA and expanding the drilling operating window, the technology gives operators greater flexibility to optimize drilling parameters while protecting critical assets.

As its offshore footprint expands, PosiTrack is helping operators translate better drilling dynamics into greater efficiency, reliability, and confidence in some of the world's most challenging drilling environments.

Learn more about PosiTrack.