News Cuttings
DEC holds ‘Rig for the Future’ forum, now planning ‘Transformation in Leadership’
The IADC Drilling Engineers Committee (DEC) held a virtual Tech Forum, “Rig for the Future,” on 24 June with more than 170 participants. The event brought together industry experts – representing drilling contractors, operators and service companies – to share their thoughts on what a new rig for the future would look like, as well as its potential value and the barriers the industry must address to achieve such a vision.
Topics addressed included rig power systems, rig floor robotics, leveraging automation and digitalization technologies, and the evolution of rig controls.
Speakers at the event, which was moderated by DEC Board member Robert Estes with Halliburton, were Marcel Snijder, Patterson-UTI Drilling Company; Andrew McKenzie and Daniel Meinders, National Oilwell Varco; Luis G. Hernandez, Schlumberger; Scott Boone, Nabors; Ketan Bhaidasna, Halliburton; Willie Thompson, Hess Corp; Michael Behounek, Apache; Nathan Moralez, BP and John Willis, Occidental Petroleum.
The DEC is now organizing its next tech forum, scheduled for 15 September in Houston. The theme for this event will be “Transformation in Leadership.” Abstracts are being accepted until 7 August.
IADC’s Martin Flojgaard discusses pandemic challenges in Australia
IADC’s Regional Representative for Australasia, Martin Flojgaard, was recently invited to participate in an interview with Visa Solutions Australia about the effects of the pandemic on the oil and gas industry in Australia. Scan the code or use the link below to access the interview.
IADC WellSharp Live supports essential training 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 well control courses. It was designed to help crews continue with training during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In early July, DC spoke with Brooke Polk, Director – Program Development and Technology at IADC, to discuss the progress that WellSharp Live has made during its first few months of operation, as well as what its future may hold.
DC hosts virtual event on offshore safety
Drilling Contractor recently hosted a virtual panel discussion, “HSE Performance During the Corona Crisis: What Did We Learn?” The event, which aired live on 23 June, focused on experiences and safety performance considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Panelists for the event were (clockwise from top left): Erik Roesen Larsen, Maersk Drilling; Neil Forrest, Seadrill; Lamberto Nonno, Global HSE Leader, Baker Hughes; and Norbert van Beelen, Vice President, Wells Safety, Shell. Lars Nydahl Jorgenson, IADC Regional Director – Europe, served as session moderator. See Page 61 for a report on the panelists’ discussion.
IADC award to recognize field-based personnel
As part of IADC’s 80th anniversary, the association will recognize an individual whose efforts improved performance for their company with the IADC Chairman’s Anniversary Award. The award recognizes that one person can have a significant impact on a company’s culture.
“This is an industry that is consistently developing new technologies, improving equipment reliability and finding new ways to more efficiently drill a rig, and we look forward to recognizing the best in innovation with the IADC Chairman’s Award during our Annual General Meeting in November,” IADC President Jason McFarland said.
IADC is accepting entries for the award through 31 August.
