Application of Digital and Real-Time Technologies in Deepwater Drilling Environment Operations for Performance Enhancement and Efficient and Accurate Decision-Making Process.

In recent years, the oil and gas industry has evolved and now requires the application of digital solutions. The deepwater environment is no exception. In an integrated project in the Gulf of Mexico, a long-term commercial relationship was established. Different technologies were implemented that have positively affected the overall performance, focusing on risk management, efficiency, and establishing a more accurate decision-making process. This paper describes how digital solutions are integrated into the project to better detect undesirable events and offer ways to further enhance well performance. New technologies have been implemented to optimize the operations while reducing nonproductive time and undesirable events, without adding additional operational risks. The strategy employed resulted from the integration of the real-time monitoring in conjunction with the digital technologies. Monitoring drilling fluid properties in real time through the application of the semiautomatic rheometer provided the required input to maintain optimum fluid conditions and keep the required hole clean. The ultimate objective of drilling operations is to ensure well integrity before the well is placed in production. Cementing operation real-time solutions provide quick and accurate results after the job is completed, assuring the job objectives. In parallel, to eliminate inefficiencies and capture invisible lost time, the implementation of the multiwell performance analysis and benchmarking tool enables project process evaluation. This evaluation features both a micro and macro perspective. The evaluation takes into consideration the routine and nonroutine operations executed daily. In the initial stage, the solution supports the definition of the baseline and benchmark required. It will also determine project progress and further define the most suitable technologies needed to capitalize on improvement opportunities.