With drillers facing low energy prices and reduced activity, implementing automated systems will be critical in lowering well costs and creating profits. Coordinated rig technology and a contracting model that provides substantial financial incentives to the contractor are needed to boost investment in these systems.
Read More »Understanding risk is essential to building effective cybersecurity systems
In a complete digital ecosystem, where the wellsite and the office are connected and receiving downhole data simultaneously, managing cybersecurity risk is a necessity, says the CIO of National Oilwell Varco.
Read More »H&P President/CEO: Push for automation will be crucial, but people and ESG must also be prioritized
The oil price downturn has given drilling contractors an opportunity to examine the steps they need to take in order to survive a new market landscape. Speaking at the virtually held 2020 IADC Drilling Onshore Conference, the CEO of H&P looked at how investing in people, technology and ESG can help drillers stay afloat.
Read More »BOPs: Groundwork being laid today for the needs of tomorrow
As drillers and operators push into deeper waters, the demand for systems that can handle high-pressure, high-temperature drilling is greater than ever...
Read More »Middle East: Signs of resilience, optimism despite a slowdown
While it’s generally recognized that the Middle East drilling market has been more resilient than most other drilling markets around the world to this year’s market mishaps, this region has not been immune...
Read More »Shell extends contract for Maersk Convincer in Brunei through 2022
The extension, worth approximately $47 million, will come into effect in May 2021 and last for 602 days. It is the second extension Maersk has secured for the jackup since it began work offshore Brunei in 2017; the first extension, announced in June 2018, lasted for 912 days and came with three years of options. Shell had named the rig as its "Jackup Rig of the Year" in 2018 and 2019.
Read More »Physics-based, deep learning model improves screen-out predictions
By Stephen Whitfield, Associate Editor Screen-out usually occurs when proppants carried in fracturing fluid create a bridge across the perforations in a fracture or a similar restricted flow area, creating a sudden and significant restriction to fluid flow that causes a rapid rise in pump pressure. This condition can cause significant disruption to a hydraulic fracturing operation, delaying the placement of subsequent stages and wellbore cleanout operations, and ultimately leading to lost production days. Because of that potential impact, advanced warning of screen-out is critical to improving operational safety and efficiency, according to Dr John Sun, Senior Data Scientist at Noble Energy. Speaking at the 2020 Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (URTeC) in July, Dr Sun discussed how his company has ...
Read More »Shifting environment forces operators to examine technology adoption, field deployment
With no shortage of developers and startups looking to get into oil and gas, and an ever-present need for new systems to further efficiencies, choosing the right technology to adopt in the oilfield can be a tricky process. A panel group from URTeC 2020 examined the ways in which the tech adoption cycle can best serve the industry.
Read More »Audio interview: IADC WellSharp Live supports training efforts during COVID-19
In early May, IADC launched WellSharp Live, a distance learning training delivery option for the association’s WellSharp Drilling and Well Servicing courses. In this interview with DC, Brooke Polk, Director – Program Development and Technology at IADC, talks about the progress the training solution has made in its first few months of operation, as well as what its future may hold.
Read More »Equinor contracts Deepsea Atlantic for Johan Sverdrup Phase 2 drilling
The contract covers the drilling of 12 wells during the second phase of the North Sea development. The Deepsea Atlantic semi-submersible will be used for the drilling campaign, which is scheduled to start at the beginning of 2022...
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