Drilling Automation – Benefits of the New Drilling Model

Abstract

A pilot program for automated directional drilling was implemented as a part of the roll out plan in Norway to drill three dimensional wells in an automated mode, where steering commands were carried out automatically by the automation platform. The rollout plan also targeted the use of remote operations to allow personnel to be relocated from the rig location into remote drilling centers. The goal of the program was to optimize the directional drilling performance by assessing the benefits of automation using the latest rotary steerable system technologies and machine learning smart algorithms to predict and manipulated the BHA performance, as well as the ability to predict the best drilling parameters for hole cleaning. The automation was implemented on three different rigs and the data was compared with the drilling performance from the last two years, with three dimensional wells drilled in the conventional method. The main benefits between drilling wells in the conventional method versus drilling wells with the new drilling automation model include the following. Reduce the overall cost per meter –  Improve the rate of penetration –  Improve running casings Consistence process adherence –  Reduce human errors –  Reduce POB without sacrificing lost of technical experience Optimize workforce resources –  Allows continuity of service (COVID-19 restrictions) Drilling automation can drill smoother wells by reducing the friction factors and tortuosity. This is translated in direct cost savings per meter and reduction in the overall well delivery time, with the advantage of performing the execution and monitoring of the well performance remotely. This new drilling model open the door of new opportunities, especially for the challenges where the work force resources, and drilling performance is a priority for the operations.