2023 CHAIR • IADC CONNECTION
getting repeatability of the best-possible
operation. Consistency around tasks like
how the bit is set on bottom and how to
steer the well, irrespective of the human
driller’s level of experience, will help con-
tractors to achieve higher efficiency across
entire rig fleets. Then, the eventual auto-
mation of pipe handling will eliminate the
interaction of humans and machines in
the red zone.

Emissions reduction will be another
key challenge for drilling contractors
over the next few years. Patterson-UTI
has been working at the leading edge of
these efforts, launching innovations like
EcoCell. This lithium battery hybrid power
management system “allows the rig to act
more like a hybrid vehicle because it’s not
relying on engine power all the time and
reduces fuel usage and emissions,” Mr
Hendricks said. “I believe that, by working
with the E&Ps, we can continue to make
a difference and reduce emissions at the
wellsite through technology and innova-
tion.” Parallel efforts are also ongoing around
using highline power and natural gas as
alternatives to diesel, which have become
more routine onshore.

While drilling contractors will continue
to invest in emission-reduction efforts and
technologies like these, Mr Hendricks said
there’s still a big question when it comes to
the future of emissions reporting require-
ments: Who owns the emissions from the
prime movers, like the generators, on a
drilling rig?
“As a drilling contractor, we don’t deter-
mine the specification of the operation. We
don’t determine how many generators are
required. We don’t determine if a generator
gets replaced by a lithium battery solution.

We don’t determine the fuel source. Those
are all specified by the E&P company,” Mr
Hendricks explained.

This is a looming challenge that will
only become more important as inves-
tors, regulators and the public continue to
scrutinize emissions levels in the coming
years. Mr Hendricks said he believes the
drilling industry will need to consider
who is the real owner of these emissions
and urged companies to have discussions
that could lead to an industry consensus
among drilling contractors, service provid-
ers and E&Ps.

Emissions reduction innovations like Patterson-UTI’s EcoCell will be critical in the
coming years. The technology uses lithium batteries to store and dispense energy
for use in drilling operations, which allows for a steady and optimized load to be
maintained on a rig’s generators. The company says EcoCell can reduce rig fuel
consumption by more than 20%.

Goals as IADC Chairman
Looking at his term as IADC Chairman,
Mr Hendricks said he is excited about lead-
ing a healthy and thriving industry as the
association’s members work to advance
safe working conditions for everyone on
location, improve the onboarding of new
employees and continue to push the limits
of new drilling technologies.

Compared with the first time he served
as IADC Chairman in 2017, he believes the
optimism permeating the industry today
will drive a more productive and energetic
term in 2023. “I’m certainly earmarking to
travel to a number of meetings and confer-
ences in various parts of the world so I can
meet with IADC members and hear what
their concerns are. We want to make sure
that IADC’s programs are addressing the
needs of our global membership.”
Mr Hendricks also expressed strong sup-
port for IADC’s ongoing efforts to promote
the drilling industry’s value to external
stakeholders. Being able to demonstrate
our value to society and improving our
public image will be essential to recruiting
young talent, he said.

“I applaud IADC’s efforts with universi-
ties and the student chapter program in
terms of getting the message out on what
we do and why it’s important,” he said.

“When I meet with students at IADC meet-
ings, you don’t just meet students in petro-
leum engineering. There’s also chemical
engineers, mechanical engineers, electri-
cal engineers – you get a cross-section,
and I think that’s hugely important to help
feed talent into our industry.”
Regardless of the public’s perception of
our industry, however, the fact remains
that the world needs oil and gas. While
many are choosing to focus solely on the
energy transition and renewables, people
who work in this industry know that it’s
not really a transition but an expansion of
global energy requirements for the foresee-
able future.

“The discussion should not be pitting
one energy source against another. As the
world’s population grows, we’re going to
need all energy sources,” Mr Hendricks
said. “Our industry may not be loved, but
we’re needed. And we’re going to do our
best to help meet the world’s energy needs
in a safe and sustainable way. I am proud
of our industry’s ability to produce afford-
able energy that makes peoples’ lives bet-
ter.” DC
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