September/October 2022

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Drilling Rigs: Operational & Energy Efficiency
Autonomous drilling at scale: How close are we? An automated rig has been piloted in the Permian, but economic and interoperability challenges will likely keep near-term focus on automating specific tasks that can realize tangible efficiency gains By Stephen Whitfield, Associate Editor
Zero-emission power-generation system in development for land rigs using hydrogen fuel cells By Stephen Whitfield, Associate Editor
Maersk relies on new ways of working to drive energy efficiency without large capital investments By Lola Caballero, Rune Loftager, Konstantin Puskarskij and Johan Karlsson, Maersk Drilling
Noble harnesses nano-KPIs, global equipment data to deliver insights, drive consistency By Bernardo Braunstein, Noble Drilling; John Rigg, TDE Digital
Manufacturers pave path to hands-free drilling with automated tubular handling By Stephen Forrester, Contributor
Automation of tubular running services is set to transform rig floor operations By Tracy Cummins and Scott McIntire, Weatherford International
Improving Rig Safety
Safety tools in the digital age: Intelligent tracking systems provide new methods of keeping personnel out of harm’s way By Stephen Whitfield, Associate Editor
Surveillance system tracks movement of personnel and equipment to reduce risk of injury in rigs’ red-zone areas By Jessica Whiteside, Contributor
2021 IADC ISP report shows rise in incidents and fatalities, highlights need to renew focus on safety
Workforce Development & Training
Corporate culture shifts can help industry retain Gen-Z workers By Jessica Whiteside, Contributor
IADC Connection
From the President: Collaboration, ingenuity will be needed during energy expansion By Jason McFarland, IADC President
News Cuttings NOV hosts work session for IADC ART Committee to test new bit dull grading system IADC offers document to improve safety during rig move operations IADC Australian student chapter inaugurated into guild
Wirelines API rolls out new initiative to encourage veterans to enter oil and gas industry US DOE pledges $32 million for methane reduction R&D API, NOIA issue statements on Inflation Reduction Act Onshore Safety Alliance report incorporates ISP data
Departments
Drilling Ahead: New IADC ISP report highlights worrisome backslide in safety By Linda Hsieh, Editor & Publisher
D&C News Velesto upgrades jackups with offline capabilities ADNOC announces 2nd discovery made in deeper reservoir of offshore exploration well Transocean announces contracts in Brazil, GOM Shell to invest in UK North Sea’s Jackdaw gas field Alaska’s Icewine East reportedly holds 1 billion bbl of oil
D&C Tech Digest Keppel deploys smart glasses to improve inspections, equipment monitoring At-bit steerable systems help YPF to drill record-length extended-reach laterals to access million-bbl reservoir in Argentina Valaris drillship completes reactivation, begins MPD operation in West Africa
News Briefs: Environmental, Social and Governance Annual sustainability reports from Hess, APA and Murphy tout progress in GHG reductions, safety Low-carbon techs may add 26,000 UK energy jobs by 2030 E&Ps highlight commitment to methane reductions, reporting transparency Neptune joins project to reduce methane emissions
Oil & Gas Markets Co-location with renewables, CCS will be key to energy super basins of the future, Wood Mackenzie says Westwood: Asia Pacific sees increasing rig activity UKCS decommissioning costs down 25% in past 5 years
People, Companies and Products Nabors invests in sodium-ion batteries manufacturer Huisman proposes new semi design powered by renewables Acquisition strengthens Oil States’ digitalization capabilities Mud cooler system to be deployed for geothermal exploration Weber starts tenure as Senior VP, CFO at Valaris Noble names Macpherson as VP of Investor Relations GD Energy launches new facility in Louisiana Expro nets German geothermal project deal Continental promotes Lawler to President, COO Tenaris to acquire Benteler Steel & Tube Manufacturing Aquaterra to supply HPHT riser for exploration in Azerbaijan VES expands footprint with Sledgehammer acquisition CRP Subsea to provide buoyancy solutions in GOM Precision Drilling expands its well servicing fleet Bishop acquires All-Lifts Products Halliburton launches new fixed cutter PDC drill bits Online tool makes it easy to configure seal designs Cloud-based platform designed for wellhead audits Cloud-based platform designed for wellhead audits Torque multiplier improves precision in industrial settings
Perspectives: Jacob Bruster, Unit Drilling – Teaching rig crews can be as rewarding as teaching kids, but you have to know how to build trust By Linda Hsieh, Editor & Publisher