July/August 2026

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.

AI In Drilling
Generative and agentic AI solutions unlock new insights for drilling Gen AI applications for drilling continue to mature even as emergence of agentic systems adds new dimension to use cases By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
Deploying cloud-based drilling automation: 7 practical lessons By William Fox, Corva
Precision reduces equipment cost of ownership through AI-driven component life optimization By Andy Wang, Prescient Devices, and Russell Whitney, Precision Drilling
Generative AI agents reduce manual labor in extraction, digitalization of mud report data By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
Intelligent, scalable digital service puts industry closer to autonomous well construction By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
Post-merger Devon sees big role for AI as it tackles integration, seeks $1 billion in synergies By Jessica Whiteside, Contributor
H&P set to launch ROP optimizer combining machine learning with physics-based modeling By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
Nabors, Corva advance digital partnership with integration of edge computing and AI By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
Advances in Workforce Training
Ensign advances workforce training through IADC-accredited competence assurance program By Katlyn Gaudet and Jamie Keeley, Ensign Energy Services
IADC Connection
Creating change in industry’s public perception through collective action By Jason McFarland, IADC President
News Cuttings HSET Committee releases IADC definition for serious injuries and fatalities Jennifer Medcalf receives IADC Exemplary Service Award IADC publishes well control guidelines for geothermal Southeast Asia Chapter holds safety award gala Student Chapters, SCAC hold joint event in India
Wirelines Interior Department to streamline permitting in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve EU cautioned against planned methane emissions rules US waives sanctions on Iranian crude oil imports through late August
Departments
Drilling Ahead: As high-intensity drilling takes toll on rigs, where can drillers find solutions? By Linda Hsieh, Editor & Publisher
D&C News ADNOC deploys first AI-enabled walking island rig H&P FlexRig wins 3-year contract for Vaca Muerta ACG hits milestone with startup of NAG production PETRONAS expands its Suriname resource base with new gas discovery INEOS, Shell strike deal for E&P near Appomattox Saipem to sell shallow-water drilling operations to ADES
D&C Tech Digest Open Group issues OSDU Data Platform Standard Tenaris manufactures 88-metric-ton coiled-tubing string ABS releases class notation for nuclear power offshore
News Briefs: Environmental, Social and Governance France pulls back on renewables in national policy shift Safety survey: UK workers report rise in near-misses Study: Full fossil fuel phase-out by 2050 would require 80% more electricity generation
Oil & Gas Markets Westwood: Decline in exploration drilling continued in 2025, with only 64 high-impact wells drilled Wood Mackenzie: Impact of UAE exit from OPEC likely won’t be seen until 2027
People, Companies and Products Eldorado completes Vantage Drilling acquisition ADNOC Drilling adds to portfolio with MBPS transaction Expro wins 5-year extension for services in US Gulf Weatherford to expand with NCS Multistage deal Halliburton to support Greenland exploration Archer adds to subsea, rigless P&A capabilities SLB launches marketplace for digital technologies Delaney set to succeed Stern as OMV’s new CEO BP simplifies organizational structure into 2 segments 3t Drilling Systems, UW renew collaboration Aker BP adds computer vision technology on Odfjell semi Kongsberg Digital changes name to Falkor Products New SLB service aims to enhance real-time visibility EZOps mobile platform introduces new AI feature IFS Zero uses agentic AI to measure emissions in real time Rigmaster LED series add explosion protection Heavy-duty work boots built for industrial job site
Perspectives: Isabela Louback, Precision Drilling – Creating space for next generation to build valuable connections By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor