September/October 2026

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Automation & Drilling Rig Advances
Engineering ahead of the curve: tubular technology for the next challenge Manufacturers are thinking beyond today’s wells when it comes to makeup torque, pipe wear and rig integration for automated tools By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
H&P spearheads collaborative effort on standardized API schema for RSS downlinking By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
Panel: Transforming trusted data into better operational decisions is key to realizing value from AI By Jessica Whiteside, Contributor
The industrialization of engineering intelligence By Jason Norman, XRF-Fluid Intelligence
Managed Pressure Drilling
Raising the bar: Industry rethinks MPD training to close competency gaps As MPD scales up, companies are seeking to standardize operational procedures, training while still allowing for rig-specific processes By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
Industry Leadership
One-on-one Q&A with Wllisses Menezes Afonso, Head of Drilling and Wells, Petrobras
Industry Guidelines
IADC Cybersecurity Committee releases revised guide covering full upstream energy sector By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
Newly launched IADC document guides best practices, training for geothermal well control By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
IADC Connection
Job enhancement, not replacement: what AI really looks like on the rig By Jason McFarland, IADC President
News Cuttings IADC Technical Publications Committee publishes new book on well integrity YPs learn about AI literacy at committee workshop Petronas SVP talks leadership with UTP Student Chapter Sutherland, van Zelm to lead North Sea Chapter Brazil Chapter workshop highlights mental health
Wirelines EU delays penalty enforcement for methane and carbon emissions rules to 2030 BOEM holds third lease sale in US Gulf under OBBA US Senate committee approves extension for PPIF New Zealand awards first offshore exploration license since drilling ban reversal
Departments
Drilling Ahead: AI dominates Spark Tank, but people are still the key By Linda Hsieh, Editor & Publisher
D&C News Velesto jackup contracted for Chevron campaign Chevron announces discovery in Angola’s Block 0 ADES offshore rigs in Saudi Arabia resume operations Noble drillship to drill in Brunei starting in early 2028 BP to increase stake in Calypso, seeks to sell off North Sea business
D&C Tech Digest ADNOC launches intelligent real-time operations platform to oversee 120+ rig fleet Advanced drill bit saves 10 days rig time in North Sea 35,772-ft lateral sets measured depth record Fluids monitoring improves downhole visibility Seadrill to enhance drill floor safety with Auto Slip system KOC set to advance digital, AI capabilities through Ahmadi Innovation Valley project PV Drilling to pilot process automation on 3 rigs, plans fleetwide adoption by 2030
Oil & Gas Markets South Atlantic sees high exploration success rate, but fewer than a third are potentially commercial Texas sees continued growth in geothermal wells Devon takes FID on Solitude pipeline to move Permian gas to Gulf Coast region Mid-year review: Industry holding tight on capital discipline despite oil price surges Rystad analysis: China bolsters synthetic gas supply amid increasing geopolitical risks
People, Companies and Products Ensign acquires Citadel Drilling, adds Permian rigs Borr Drilling expands Mexican market with 5 jackups Expro awarded major contract for P&A in North Sea TWMA wins three-year contract extension in Egypt Keppel Offshore Fund pulls in $1.5 billion investment Enverus adds A2D well log library to portfolio Joseph Hudson joins Patterson-UTI Drilling O’Brien to succeed Lance as ConocoPhillips CEO Action Energy, Kellton form JV to drive AI in GCC region Worley awarded Aramco deal for project consultancy Zebedee to take on Suncor CEO role in 2027 AGR, THF partner to advance AI-enabled well engineering Products Geosteering, subsurface analysis software updated Rystad launches new tool for energy intelligence Emerson sensor designed for harsh environments US-made LFP marine battery system gets class approval
Perspectives: Toney Deer, WCS – Turning field experience into better training, standards for a growing industry By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor