July/August 2020

Looking for the Digital Reader version of this issue? Click here!
DC‘s Digital Reader is a faithful recreation of the printed magazine, in digital form! Digital Reader can be viewed on an iPad or Android tablet, and/or your Windows or Mac OSX computer.

Special coverage: COVID-19
Pressures amp up as rig counts keep falling Amid low prices and a vast oil oversupply, drilling industry may need to look to strategic partnerships and diversification for survival By Stephen Whitfield, Associate Editor
Crew health, availability prioritized as companies strive to ensure proper incident response readiness By Stephen Whitfield, Associate Editor
Digital Transformation
Digital twins drive remote monitoring, integrity management Virtual models of physical assets are not new, but industry is finding new ways to leverage them on rigs and in the wellbores they drill By Stephen Whitfield, Associate Editor
Unlocking the power of machine learning Predictive algorithms and natural language processing are fast becoming valuable tools fueling improvements for operators and drilling contractors in remote BOP monitoring, human decision making, safety By Stephen Whitfield, Associate Editor
The future of drilling automation: transforming a vision into reality By Matthew Jackson, Moumien Ali and Vinesh Rambally, NOV Rig Technologies; Sukanya Romyanon, Kyle Sneed and Panu Boonwattanopas, Chevron
Closed-loop drilling optimization system: implementation and field results from large-scale deployment By Stephen Lai, Lars Olesen, James Ng, Aaron Eddy, Sergey Khromov, Dan Paslawski and Ryan van Beurden, Pason Systems; Gregory S. Payette, Benjamin J. Spivey, ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
Industry 4.0: Oil & gas could benefit from outward search for innovations By John Barratt, Oil & Gas Innovation Center
Automated steering system aims to improve directional drilling across multiple US onshore basins By Stephen Whitfield, Associate Editor
Blockchain may pave the way for easier, more transparent execution of performance-based contracts By Andrew Bruce, Data Gumbo
Drilling fluid digital twins developed to monitor rheological properties, cuttings transport functionality By Stephen Whitfield, Associate Editor
Environmental, Social and Governance
The 7 sins of ESG management By Kosmas Papadopoulos and Rodolfo Araujo, FTI Consulting
Unlocking Deepwater Efficiencies
SIMOPS, dual-activity rig enable best-in-class well offshore Nigeria By Jessica Whiteside, Contributor
Drilling Fluids
Risk-based approach, novel fluid solution enable narrow-margin drilling in deepwater Australia By Gordon Holmes and Paul Baker, Newpark Fluids Systems
IADC Connection
From the Chair: Just as drillers have survived tough times in years past, we will be resilient this time By Julie Robertson, 2020 IADC Chair
News Cuttings DEC holds ‘Rig for the Future’ forum, now planning ‘Transformation in Leadership’ IADC’s Martin Flojgaard discusses pandemic challenges in Australia IADC WellSharp Live supports essential training during COVID-19 DC hosts virtual event on offshore safety IADC award to recognize field-based personnel
Wirelines IADC urges international authorities to adopt IMO pandemic recommendations US House Committee on Natural Resources considers program for plugging abandoned oil and gas wells Norway’s Petroleum Safety Authority releases 2019 annual report International organizations urge action to address crew change issues during COVID-19 OSHA issues revised enforcement policies related to COVID-19 employee protections
Departments
Drilling Ahead: In crisis, operators must lead to protect their supply chain By Linda Hsieh, Editor & Publisher
D&C News Operators to jointly develop multiple licenses in Krafla, Fulla, North of Alvheim New gas discovery on Bashrush prospect in Egypt CNOOC: QINHUANGDAO 33-1s Phase 1 now producing Nigeria announces 2020 marginal field bid round Neptune makes discovery in Dugong exploration well 2 wells drilled for Newpek in Mexico’s Trevino field 3 new wells sanctioned for Manora Project
D&C Tech Digest Dual-activity rig enables dual-drilling operation in Norway Blockchain consortium completes Bakken pilot DNV GL, ABB to collaborate on digitalization roadmap Remotely operated survey operations completed offshore Suriname for Apache Coating prepares rig for harsh-environment work Cut-and-recover operation saves rig time for Wintershall COVID-19 sparks rise in demand for remote rig inspections 2020 OTC Spotlight on New Technology Awards highlight industry innovations
News Briefs: Environmental, Social and Governance Total sets ambitions for net-zero emissions by 2050 Major operators to invest in transport, storage of CO₂ Scottish Government sets up energy transition fund Texas RRC considers plans to reduce flaring Maersk Drilling joins new CO₂ storage consortium
HSE&T Corner: Communication, trust cited as key factors for HSE performance during pandemic By Jay Stracke, Editorial Coordinator
People, Companies and Products Noble executes previously announced leadership transition Forum energy appoints Chinese partner to grow ROV sales Schlumberger, CNPC logging join forces in China Neptune Energy announces management changes Precision recognized with innovation award Sparrows relocates to support African growth Chesapeake files for Chapter 11 to eliminate debt Danos names Reed Peré as VP Permian Operations Aker BP set to deploy Optime’s ROCS technology WFS, Subsea Energy Solutions to collaborate Apergy and ChampionX complete merger Shell awards 5-year contract for asset visualization software Exceed establishes subsidiary focused on new commercial models Trendsetter wins Gulf of Mexico contract for subsea closure device Products CP2E controller enables connectivity for compact machines Ace Splice Clamp protects control lines during completion Offline cementing solution introduced to reduce NPT COVID-19 resilience audit launched for offshore
Perspectives: Andrew Barry, Wild Well – Multigenerational roots in oil & gas laid foundation for career spanning design/testing, marketing, training By Jay Stracke, Editorial Coordinator