CAIRO, March 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As oil prices continue to rise and the crisis in Libya remains sensitive, operating companies within the MENA region are looking to increase production to meet global demands through enhanced drilling and operational efficiency. To this effect, new drilling technologies and techniques are being explored within the region, including rotary steerable systems for vertical wells and look-ahead pore predicition.

This month Schlumberger announced the release of its PowerDrive Archer* high build Rate Rotary Steerable System (RSS). The system delivers well profiles previously possible only with motors and with the ROP and wellbore quality of a fully rotating RSS. Schlumberger will be speaking at The North African Drilling Conference on new drilling technologies for Egypt and will update the industry high build-up RSS systems and LWD considerations, including laterlog resitivity and sourceless porosity.

Leading drilling, well engineering and operations experts will join Schlumberger to combat drilling challenges and uncover the latest developments related to drilling efficiency at The North African Drilling Conference, taking place on 4 - 5 April 2011 in Cairo, Egypt. This unique event will provide the ideal platform to exchange best-practice solutions and discuss innovative drilling technologies, well completion and workover strategies.

Ricky Joe Bohannon, Drilling Manager from Danagas, will be talking about rig commissioning and acceptance prior to SPUD and attendees will participate in roundtable discussions on ensuring the safety of drilling operations and improving wellbore stability through effective use of drilling fluids.

For more information on this topic and the conference visit http://www.northafricadrilling.com