Schlumberger and NOV to Accelerate Adoption of Automated Drilling Solutions
Schlumberger and NOV started a collaboration to accelerate automated drilling solutions adoption by oil and gas operators and drilling contractors. The agreement will enable customers to combine Schlumberger surface and downhole drilling automation solutions with NOV rig automation platform to deliver superior well construction performance. This integrated offering enables the automation of manual workflows, improving safety, decision making, consistency, and efficiency in drilling operations.
“We are pleased to collaborate with NOV and to integrate their rig automation interface with our drilling automation solutions to unlock higher performance for operators and drilling contractors. Leveraging downhole and surface automation applications, we can deliver enhancements in operations safety and efficiency, and deliver top-quartile wells for our customers consistently,” comments Olivier Le Peuch, CEO, Schlumberger. “This partnership will help accelerate customers’ adoption of drilling automation technologies, enabling superior well construction performance.”
“Through this collaboration, NOV demonstrates its commitment to deliver an open digital automation platform that enables drilling contractors to achieve higher consistency, safety, and efficiency with improved wellbore quality,” said Clay Williams, Chairman, President and CEO, NOV. “We continue to invest in digital solutions that provide value for our customers. Drilling automation allows rig crews to focus on the big picture to drive performance and less on manual, repetitive tasks.”
The combined solution leverages advanced AI from the Schlumberger DrillOps on-target well delivery solution, while NOV ’s NOVOS process-automation platform controls all NOV rig equipment within the operational envelope. The two technologies will work seamlessly together to manage compliance to procedure and to reach best-in-class operational performance.
The family of DrillOps solutions includes open and modular technologies that leverage Schlumberger’s deep drilling domain knowledge and advanced machine learning applications to execute the digital drilling plan consistently and to automate drilling tasks, attaining higher levels of efficiency.
On-target well delivery solution
The DrillOps on-target well delivery solution is the execution component of Schlumberger fully integrated digital well-constructing planning and operations solution. It ensures rigs operate at peak performance while implementing the digital drilling plan and builds new levels of instrumentation, automation, and cognition directly into existing drilling operations. With the DrillOps solution, operators accomplish consistency through autonomous drilling while securing progress toward their own business goals for drilling efficiency and more productive wells.
The DrillOps solution adopts a goal-based automation methodology, using powerful data analysis and learning systems to assist and optimize every task, from setting ROP to drilling a stand. Users choose from a preset menu of automatable drilling tasks, and using data analysis and models, share a plan to achieve the specified goal, taking any measurements required to calibrate itself. Operators have the flexibility to modify and replan activities dynamically, based on a live appraisal of equipment, personnel, and supplies.
Automation enables reduced staffing levels on mechanised rigs and delivers unparalleled consistency of repetitive tasks, helping you reach your technical limit on every well.
Alert and escalate procedures are built directly into the DrillOps solution—making it easier to resolve any potential conflicts and administer corrective action. Everything that happens is automatically documented within the digital well file to streamline reporting and drive continuous improvement.
The DrillOps solution monitors and captures a broad range of operational data to support operators during drilling with real-time advice and coaching to improve decision-making and reduce risk. Intelligent advisory systems guide crews to stay within operating windows and safety thresholds. Predictive analytics continuously identify drilling dysfunctions, alerting personnel before pre-defined limits are due to be exceeded to reduce Non-Productive Time (NPT).
Progress is continually compared with targets defined in the drilling plan across a range of criteria, including operating costs and other KPIs, to deliver a live picture of performance. Any deviations from the plan are recorded in the digital well file, alongside all of the relevant operational data. By capturing the full operational context across multiple domains, the DrillOps solution increases the value of reporting and post-job analysis to improve every subsequent well.
The DrillOps solution executes the digital drilling plan and ensures plan adherence. It improves collaboration and coordination by directing the relevant information to the right people, at the right time, and always in the right context. Since workflows are curated centrally by the system, step-by-step activity plans are automatically generated for individual operations teams to keep all teams aligned (town and rig). With all well construction activities from tripping to cementing continually monitored and dynamically updated with the latest operational activity, your operations team is always up to date.
Make the most of every minute downhole, by utilizing relevant downhole tool data and surface measurements, combined to make the best use of the information available. Step-by-step simplified workflows, reduction of human dependencies, and transformation of how directional and data services are delivered, enabling a consistent approach, which allows your experts to be closer to you anytime and anywhere.
The DrillOps solution is a part of the DELFI environment, built upon a secure data platform that is accessible and open to everybody. Your solutions can be customized to your rig capability, from standard and instrumented rigs to fully mechanized and connected rigs. Edge and cloud devices seamlessly interact to ensure complete integrity of your operations with office support.
NOVOS Reflexive Drilling System
NOVOS is the industry’s only reflexive drilling system, automating repetitive drilling activities, benefiting contractors by allowing drillers to focus on consistent process execution and safety, and benefiting operators by optimizing drilling programs.
A reflexive drilling system is designed to perform a series of actions when prompted, just as human reflex responds when acted upon by a specific stimulus. The NOVOS reflexive drilling system is easily scalable and can augment existing people and processes for greater control, consistency, and enhanced performance, or expand all the way to full closed-loop automation.
NOVOS Advantages
NOVOS provides control and consistency for any operation. It allows drillers to automate repetitive drilling activities, such as making a connection (offshore), coming off and on bottom, with specific parameters for circulation, weight-on-bit and more. The result is greater consistency, with every driller – regardless of individual experience level – able to achieve the same improved performance time and time again.
Precise Control
Set the exact parameters to meet the needs of your drilling program, from circulation to weight-on-bit and everything in between, and the NOVOS system performs at the push of a button.
Unmatched Consistency
Regardless of who’s at the controls, the NOVOS system offers the same performance, again and again, eliminating NPT and protecting your equipment.
Increased Performance
With more consistency comes greater performance. Because the reflexive system automates repetitive tasks, you’ll achieve better average performance throughout the entire drilling lifecycle, regardless of the experience level of the driller.
Infinite Customization
With additional off-the-shelf apps that can be tailored to your needs or completely custom designs, the NOVOS system can be updated to meet specific needs with just a bit of software.
Minimal Interruption
The whole system can be installed in 12 hours and requires limited additional hardware.
