November/December 2025

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2026 Drilling Outlook
LNG potential to provide upside in otherwise flat onshore market in 2026 Gas-heavy basins and regions with export infrastructure likely to be bright spots even as most markets see stagnant rig and well counts By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
Countries reassess climate, energy policies amid geopolitical tensions, market uncertainties By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
Offshore likely to remain a waiting game until expected uptick in 2027 Dayrates and utilization to remain mostly stagnant next year after seeing declines this year, though analysts say long term is positive By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
NOV Annual Rig Census
2025 NOV Rig Census shows industry continuing to shift toward efficiency, consolidation By Tarjei “TJ” Myklebust and Karl Appleton, NOV
Human Factors in Drilling
Training for abnormal operations can help reduce human errors that contribute to safety events By Jessica Whiteside, Contributor
Drilling Innovations
IADC ART Committee revives Spark Tank series to foster drilling technology innovation By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor
Contract automation helps Stena Drilling better align performance objectives, accelerate cash flow By Andrew Parker, Stena Drilling, and Alex Bunkers, Smartchain
IADC Connection
From the President: True leadership transcends title By Jason McFarland, IADC President
Celebrating 85 years of the IADC legacy through stories
IADC Year in Review By Katie Carr, Senior Coordinator – External Communications
News Cuttings Patterson-UTI’s Mike Holcomb named 2025 IADC Contractor of the Year Guilherme Vanni receives Exemplary Service Award ULL Student Chapter tours drilling equipment facilities MIT Student Chapter meets with Baker Hughes SMEs IADC to pilot new program with focus on relationship building, continuous improvement
Wirelines European Council votes for proposal banning Russian oil and gas imports in 2026 Coalition discusses permitting reform with US Congress Federal court rules against leasing ban in US Gulf, opens path for lease sales US EPA considers terminating GHG Reporting Program
Departments
Drilling Ahead: As geothermal drilling advances, is magma drilling next? By Linda Hsieh, Editor & Publisher
D&C News Production commences from Brazil’s Bacalhau field Sonadrill drillships win contracts offshore Angola Namibia’s Orange Basin yields another exploration find BP contracts VALARIS DS-12 drillship for work in Egypt Talos finds oil in deepwater Walker Ridge blocks BORGLAND DOLPHIN to be reactivated for Repsol contract
D&C Tech Digest Expro sets record for deployment of heaviest casing string, launches remote clamp installation system Project launched to develop digitally enabled, additively manufactured propeller
News Briefs: Environmental, Social and Governance BP Energy Outlook points to rapid rise of renewables but also continued importance of oil, natural gas Production emissions from UK offshore is down for 5th consecutive year Methane intensity in Permian down by half
Oil & Gas Markets Accelerated production set to pressure oil prices Capital budgets to fall in 2026 as long-term E&P investments take backseat
People, Companies and Products Trey Adams takes on new role as President at H&P Ford, Stahl appointed to new executive roles at Precision Archer to acquire Premium Oilfield in $20 million deal Cactus Drilling acquires Unit Drilling for $120 million Ian Perks takes over as new CEO of Tullow Oil Chevron, TotalEnergies name new executives to lead exploration efforts OSSO to support geothermal project in Germany SLB wins completions contract with Petrobras Bishop appoints new CEO Equinor, Shell name CEO and Chair for Adura JV Halliburton, VoltaGrid to partner on data centers OTC, ModuSpec enter R&D agreement for well control IFS acquires 7bridges Products Y-shaped drilling module now rated for 10,000 psi Electro-hydraulic control system enhances smart completions capabilities Weatherford unveils Industrial Intelligence portfolio
Perspectives: Micah Backlund, H&P – Shift in safety requires empowering frontline workers By Stephen Whitfield, Senior Editor