Drilling Better Wells with Rig Automation And Artificial Intelligence

The Future of Drilling Automation

As with the introduction of any innovation, AI-managed drilling automation is starting with a narrow focus on the rig and will scale to include more drilling use cases. Unconventional onshore rotary drilling is a logical first step for closed-loop automation given that most on-bottom time is spent in the vertical and lateral sections. Directional drilling, or sliding, will require new solutions and AI models to better control toolface consistency, avoid bit divergence, prevent equipment wear, and minimize slide time. Extended reach and deepwater wells also introduce complexity and new opportunities for AI and drilling automation, where the Corva and Nabors closed-loop solution can eventually advance operational performance and well productivity.

Closed-loop drilling automation pays dividends in safety and cost reduction by reducing rig rental time and extending bit life. Automation is also about improving wellbore precision and drilling consistency across fleets that lead to better wells, turning a P50 well into a P75 well, and increasing the estimated ultimate recovery.

The massive efficiency and economic gains enabled by AI-powered drilling automation come at a time when the U.S. oil and gas industry is being asked to steadily increase energy output to meet global demand while maintaining capital discipline and returning more value to shareholders. The technology is ideally positioned to meet these goals head-on with existing resources. Indeed, as the world comes to terms with the potential of AI and automation to augment human performance without replacing people, drilling teams are embracing these innovations to minimize distraction, focus on non-repetitive workflows, and improve job satisfaction.

Figure : Closed-loop drilling automation process feeds AI picked set points into rig control system

By William Fox and Tatiana Borges