November/December 2023

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2024 Drilling Outlook
Rising demand, leaner rig fleet set stage for tighter offshore markets in 2024 Utilization and dayrates both forecast to edge up next year, driven by floater demand in Golden Triangle and jackup demand in Middle East By Stephen Whitfield, Associate Editor
Onshore drilling to stay flat in 2024, but rosier outlook is on the horizon Activity will mostly hold steady next year while operators wait for more takeaway capacity in markets like US, Canada and Argentina By Stephen Whitfield, Associate Editor
Despite energy security focus, market to be defined by need for low-cost, low-emissions barrels By Stephen Whitfield, Associate Editor
Drilling Markets & Leadership
Deepwater revival is under way but needs rethinking of talent, technology and capital strategies By Jessica Whiteside, Contributor
Despite industry ups and downs, TotalEnergies keeps its eyes on building a sustainable future By Patrick Hillard and Leonard Childers, IPT Global; and Ahmed Omar, Seadrill
NOV Annual Rig Census
2023 NOV census shows onshore US rig count leveling while other regions still see steady growth By Tarjei “TJ” Myklebust, Karl Appleton and Kevin Scherm, NOV
Managed Pressure Drilling
IADC’s new Riser Gas Handling Guidelines set to enhance safety of deepwater drilling operations By Oscar Gabaldon, Blade Energy Partners; Gavin Humphreys, Stena Drilling; Paul Sonnemann, Safekick; and Mario Teixeira, Equinor
Automation and Digital Technologies
Driller engagement, feedback essential in human-centered approach to automation design By Jessica Whiteside, Contributor
Supercapacitor-based systems show potential to cut emissions while improving power quality By Jessica Whiteside, Contributor
New GreenDrill software targets higher granularity in measuring, analyzing rig equipment emissions By Stephen Whitfield, Associate Editor
Precision leverages automation to take productivity to the next level By Stephen Whitfield, Associate Editor
Solids Control
Closed-loop underbalanced coiled-tubing drilling changes sidetrack drilling landscape By Olof Nilsson and Aksel Skåland, Fourphase
IADC Connection
From the President: Looking back at IADC activities in 2023 – A year of living our legacy By Jason McFarland, IADC President
IADC Year in Review: IADC presses ahead on workforce development and training, advocacy By Katie Carr, Senior Coordinator – External Communications
News Cuttings North Sea chapter-led taskforce addresses mental health at inaugural meeting IADC launches new proctor service for WellSharp Live Cybersecurity Committee establishes five workgroups to develop assessments Bakken trip lets students tour rigs, learn about life on rigs
Wirelines IADC highlights inadequacies, detrimental impacts of 2024-2029 leasing program GOM vessel restrictions would impair production, jobs UK NSTA issues consultation on emissions reduction plan Industry groups propose solutions to improve GHG rule
Departments
Drilling Ahead: Reality check – The world’s energy transition has not really started yet By Linda Hsieh, Editor & Publisher
D&C News Petrobras awards long-term contract to Constellation’s deepwater semi DST on Namibia’s Venus-1X discovery shows positive results; Venus-1A soon to be tested Valaris drillship and jackup secure additional work offshore Brazil, Indonesia KCA Deutag wins contracts, extensions in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Pakistan Studies kicked off for Suriname’s Block 58, expected to result in FID by year-end 2024 2 COSL semisubmersibles win contracts from Equinor to drill offshore Norway
D&C Tech Digest H&P launches new Rig Floor Automation package to enhance consistency, safety during connections NASA validates AI-enabled alternating direct current as a ‘new form of energy’ Predictive Drilling boosts ROP by 36% in Delaware Basin 1,000th CX-2 bridge plug deployed for North Sea P&A
News Briefs: Environmental, Social and Governance EU’s emissions levy may set new rules of global trade ADNOC greenlights major carbon capture project APA completes conversions to drive methane reduction
Oil & Gas Markets Lower demand could drive 20% slip in European gas prices by next summer before rebounding in 2025 DNV report: In absolute terms, renewables have yet to begin replacing fossil fuels
People, Companies and Products ExxonMobil to acquire Pioneer in $59.5 billion deal Precision Drilling set to expand its fleet with CWC acquisition Kenera to equip newbuild rigs in Saudi Arabia with top drives TWMA to double Middle East personnel with new contract Archer to install RigFlow on nine additional platform rigs Tracy Gray to head up strategy, marketing at IWS New director adds to Enteq’s Middle East expertise Erwin Wieckowski appointed to lead Bosch Rexroth ADNOC signs deals to boost local manufacturing PetroVisor set to be deployed across Origem Energia assets Kongsberg, Ankeri to partner on vessel monitoring app Products Rolls-Royce offers mobile, EPA-certified gas power system Completion tool provides expanded functions, reliable anchoring GDEP inspection program aims to reduce downtime at frac sites Ikon Science advances pore pressure prediction capabilities Halliburton releases new completions, telemetry tools Downhole model supports training for geothermal Helly Hansen introduces new work gear for winter
Perspectives: Kristina Mays, Transocean – Being a proactive corporate citizen is an essential part of ESG work By Stephen Whitfield, Associate Editor