IADC Drilling Contractor
IADC Drilling Contractor Drilling Rigs and Automation section offers access to many articles that describe the advances in DSA.
SLB and Equinor drill most autonomous well section to date offshore Brazil [January 2024] By combining SLB digital technologies for surface automation, autonomous on-bottom drilling and directional drilling, 99% of a 2.6-km section was able to be drilled in autonomous control mode. Over a five-well program, a 60% increase in the rate of penetration was achieved, resulting in faster well delivery while reducing cost and carbon emissions.
Closed-loop underbalanced coiled-tubing drilling changes sidetrack drilling landscape [October 23] By enabling automated, real-time solids measurements, dual cyclone desander allows continuous solids separation and flow from well
Driller engagement, feedback essential in human-centered approach to automation design [October 2023] As long as humans are in the loop, automation and digital solutions must consider human performance to reduce risks of complacency. Industry experts on an IADC ART panel session.
Precision leverages automation to take productivity to next level [October 2023] Enhancing process automation through digital controls provides drilling operations with repeatability, reliability – and tangible results
H&P introduces automation package for the rig floor [September 2023] Helmerich & Payne (H&P) introduced its Rig Floor Automation package, which merges automation with enhanced mechanization. The package is comprised of the company’s HexGrip 120 automated floor wrench, retractable slip lifters and traction control floor mats.
Jackup offshore Malaysia deploys automation platform with 3rd-party, closed-loop apps [April 2023] Phased approach allowed crews to trust the apps as they were taken out of advisory mode
Integrating human factors into system design key to maximizing rig-site safety and performance [April. 2023] Maximizing safety and performance on the rig will require companies to consider the capabilities and limits of their people and integrate those considerations into the design of the systems they use, said Curt Braun, Human Performance Advisor at BP. Dr Braun explained the concept of human systems integration (HSI), which is used by many industries to ensure they design systems that focus on the interface between the systems and humans.
Frac monitoring app adopts standardized data format to boost productivity, interoperability [February 2023] Last year, Cold Bore Technology incorporated a new standard data format into its SmartPAD application, which allows operators to digitize and monitor their frac sites simultaneously and remotely. The data format is equivalent to WITSML, the company said, as it creates what the company calls a “Layer Zero” digital infrastructure that allows control systems from different service companies to connect to SmartPAD and communicate with one another without the need to clean data.
Financial and human capital challenges call for the industry to adopt new ways of thinking [January 2023] Nabors’ Subodh Saxena: Drilling contractors can address workforce, efficiency needs through cultural shifts and capital allocation strategies that focus on long-term sustainability. Interview has a particular focus on drilling systems automation.
Machine learning-based pressure management technology brings full automation to MPD operations [January 2023] Automation in MPD operations is not new – operators and service companies have been utilizing technologies and software to automate various components of an MPD system for years. Recently, though, Opla Energy says it is bringing its ambitions for a fully automated MPD system that can run with no human intervention to reality with its Pressure Management Device (PMD).
Open Architecture, End-to-End Solutions Can Help to Advance Industry’s Digital Journey [January 2023] Interview with Aker BP’s Tommy Sigmundstad: Aker BP working to create full loop for autonomous drilling and new business models with alliance partners as it prepares for a lower-margin future
Nabors retrofits robotics module onto existing land rig to achieve full automation [November. 2022] Nabors has launched its Canrig Red Zone Robotics (RZR) Rig Floor Module, a modular rig upgrade that automates routine drilling activities. Nabors retrofitted an existing rig – X29 – with the RZR module and has drilled multiple horizontal wells for ExxonMobil in the Permian Basin. The companies had previously collaborated on Nabors’ fully automated R801 newbuild rig last year.
Precision Drilling CTO: Digital mindset can help drilling contractors reach ‘Drilling 4.0’ [September 2022] Industry 4.0 has helped manufacturers realize new efficiencies and performance improvements in their operations, according to Shuja Goraya, CTO of Precision Drilling, and he believes the implementation of a “Drilling 4.0” can help drilling contractors see similar improvements.
Removing Human Judgement in Tubular Running Services Promises precision, Consistency [September 2022] As drilling contractors take on additional services at the rig site, automated systems can fill competency gaps, improve efficiency.
Manufacturers Pave Path to Hands-Free Drilling with Automated Tubular Handling [September 2022] Systems rely on advanced robotics and modular components to reduce need for manual labor, improve rig floor efficiency.
Autonomous Drilling at Scale: how close are we? [September 2022] A fully automated rig has been piloted in the Permian, but economic and interoperability challenges will likely reap near-term focus on automating specific tasks that can realize tangible efficiency gains.
Automated geosteering algorithm shows promising ability to match human geological interpretations (April 2022) H&P undertakes field testing in Haynesville to validate technology that supports more efficient analysis of target formation
Collaborative engineering unlocks optimal design for MPD system on land drilling rigs [January 2022] Fit-for-purpose design emphasizes integration with both hardware and the rig’s automation platform, supported by stepwise implementation plan
Drillbotics competition adds human factors requirements [November 2021] In the 2021/2022 Drillbotics competition, the contestants will have to integrate human factors (HF) engineering considerations into their automated drilling rigs.
Plug-and-play automation, emissions reduction among key factors in rig selection for Occidental Petroleum [October 2021] “When we go to try to buy automation, it’s really hard to get,” Mr Willis said. “We’re largely limited to what’s available from individual drilling contractors. It’s very difficult, if not impossible, to take something from another third party and add that to a rig. And none of our rigs have what we would consider to be a full system of automation today.”
Nabors drills first well from fully automated land rig [October 2021] Nabors Industries announced its PACE-R801 – the world’s first fully automated land drilling rig – has reached total depth on its first well, a horizontal well for ExxonMobil in the Permian Basin.
Rig trial of integrated MPD and automated well control technologies completed [April 2021] Following months of preparation by Weatherford, Safe Influx and Finesse Control Systems (which builds the Safe Influx equipment and develops the logic programming), a series of pre-agreed tests were successfully performed on Weatherford’s test rig in Houston, to demonstrate and verify the integration and functionality of both systems.
H&P President and CEO: Industry must embrace digitalization, automation to survive in the future [March 2021] In the current economic environment, he said, adoption of digital technologies will likely prove critical as companies along the oil and gas supply chain are forced to seek new ways to further improve efficiencies and lower costs.
To adopt automated drilling systems at scale, industry will need to overcome fragmentation, build trust [March 2021] The term “digital transformation” has long been a buzzword within the oil and gas industry. Only in recent years has that “buzz” finally started to translate into true change. And, now, automation discussions are pivoting toward how to implement those changes at scale.
Automated directional drilling gaining trust among industry users [March 2021] Innovations in software continue to enable better predictive capabilities, helping operators achieve repeatability and consistency in their wellbores
Ensign President/COO: Collaborative approach can incentivize investments in innovative automation [Sept 2020] In an era of low energy prices and reduced drilling activity, transitioning from mechanization to true automation will be vital to lowering well costs and creating profits.
The future of drilling automation: transforming a vision into reality [July 2020] As process automation proves out its value, industry begins looking to the next frontier of autonomous drilling
Leveraging drillers as coaches helps to increase new technology uptake [May 2020] Ensign initiative trains high-performing drillers to help other drillers gain trust in new process automation features as they are rolled out to rigs.
As MPD grows in popularity, manufacturers evolve to meet contractor, operator demand [11 Mar 2020] Mark Mitchell, President of Oil and Gas at AFGlobal, discusses the pace of MPD evolution in the industry today, company expectations of the technology, and the role artificial intelligence may play in MPD development in the near future.
Focus on communication and process critical to helping drillers manage evolving risks amid increasing automation [25 Feb 2020] Drillers have seen an influx of automated equipment in recent years, and learning how to incorporate this automation onto the rig while maintaining a strong safety culture can be more of a challenge than it may appear on the surface.
Semantic Framework Aligns Real-Time Drilling-Management and Control Applications [1 February 2020] Real-time signals exchanged during drilling operations are in constant evolution, provided by multiple stakeholders that have distinct perspectives on the drilling process. To achieve improved drilling management and control, the seamless exchange of real-time drilling data, without the necessity of any human intervention to configure software applications, is desirable.
To incentivize digital projects, value gained must be shared [22 Jan 2020] As drilling contractors embark on the next step-change in drilling performance – which will likely come from the digital realm – they will be much more careful to not let their investments become commoditized.
Measuring Drilling Efficiency Through More Than Speed [6 Nov 2019] John Clegg of Weatherford advocates a more holistic approach to measuring drilling, efficiency, taking into account the quality of the wellbore.
IADC ART DCS Subcommittee to create rig sensor/instrument guidelines through new initiative The IADC ART Drilling Control Systems (DCS) Subcommittee has kicked off the Rig Sensor Stewardship initiative.
Pilot test for automated mud management leverages real-time monitoring, hydraulic modeling (29 Aug 2019) By Jan Ole Skogestad, Manuel Aghito, SINTEF Industry; Jelmer Braaksma and Jan Atle Andresen, Huisman; Jan Ove Brevik, Equinor; George Gibbs Smith, Intelligent Mud Solution
Proposed industry initiative aims to increase interoperability in well construction equipment. (29 Aug 2019). By Darryl Fett, Total E&P Research & Technology USA 50+ industry experts participated in April workshop and outlined vision for next steps; D-WIS group now working to identify priorities, set organizational strategy
NOVOS evolves, with new emphasis on extracting value through optimization (16 July 2019). Matt Jackson of NOV reports on the development of the NOVOS drilling automation platform
New drilling automation platform optimizes steering, aids real-time decisions (16 July 2019). Umut Zalluhoglu of Halliburton reports on a new drilling automation platform
As drilling automation advances, building in cybersecurity resilience must remain core considerations. [June 2019] Integration of industrial control systems (ICS), or operational technology (OT) systems, and information technology (IT) systems has enabled use of real-time data for drilling process control and management. As a result, previously isolated OT sub-systems, such as the drilling control sub-systems, have become susceptible to cyber-attacks, thereby requiring protection.
Transocean announces drilling automation of six floaters. [February 2019] Transocean has announced that it entered into an agreement with its customer, Equinor, to license and install automated drilling control (ADC) systems on four high-specification, harsh-environment rigs currently on contract in Norway and a fifth semisubmersible that is expected to commence operations in the Norwegian sea this summer.
Automation of directional drilling system with remote supervisory control allows mile-a-day wells to be achieved in Appalachian Basin. [August 2018] Drilling is a highly dynamic process. Interrelated wellsite systems; geologic conditions that can deviate from expectations; operational variables that require continual adjustments, such as weight-on-bit and rotating speed; and the time lag between near-bit sensors in the subsurface and drilling control systems at surface all make automating a drilling operation as challenging as automating space flight.
Other
SUMITOMO Corporation Acquires a Stake in Sekal AS (27 July 2019). Sumitomo joins Equinor, Saudi Aramco, Norce and others as shareholders in Sekal AS, whose primary products are DrillTronics (automated drilling control systems) and DrillScene (remote monitoring software).
Transocean Ltd. Announces Drilling Automation of Six Floaters (18 Feb 2019). Transocean announces automated drilling control systems on 6 of its NS rigs, using technologies from MHWirth, NOV and Sekal AS
