Halliburton announced it has provided wireline services technology for two deepwater exploratory wells in Angola's demanding pre-salt environment for Cobalt International Energy Inc. The wireline technology enhances the understanding of the rock and fluid properties of the formation and enables the company to make informed decisions and minimize drill-stem test risks. Combined with the standard suite of petrophysical tools, Halliburton employed its RDT(TM) reservoir description tool to collect reservoir formation pressure and samples over the course of three to four days. The tool collected reservoir formation pressure gradients, mini-drill stem test with straddle packers and fluid samples in a single run, saving time by working longer than conventional tools in this hostile environment.

In addition, Halliburton's new HRSCT-B(TM) hostile rotary sidewall coring tool was deployed on both rigs, taking samples at three times the volume of conventional core samples and allowing for more meaningful lab results given that the larger samples offer a better representation of the formation. This technology produces samples that are 1.5-inches in diameter and 2.4-inches in length, while eliminating the microfractures typical in percussion cores and reducing the potential for uncertainties. Rated to withstand temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, the tool saved considerable time over coring operations performed by previous service providers in some of the most challenging formations on earth.