Automating drilling activities deliver consistent and repeatable outcomes, ultimately enabling safer, more efficient and responsible operations.
For many drilling contractors pursuing automation, collaboration is essential. Those without in-house technology or the appetite to develop it can leverage proven solutions, share resources and avoid effort duplication, enabling them to leap the learning curve, tackle larger challenges, drive innovation and up their performance more quickly.
Evaluating Platforms
The importance of a rig operating system that is capital light and simple to install cannot be overstated. A system that requires minimal downtime during installation is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and minimizing disruptions. Additionally, interoperability with a wide range of industry digital solutions enhances its value, allowing for seamless integration with existing technologies and workflows. This flexibility not only reduces the risk of compatibility issues but also ensures that the operating system can adapt to evolving technological landscapes. By prioritizing ease of installation and broad interoperability, operators can optimize performance, reduce costs, and accelerate their adoption of advanced digital tools.
With the SmartROS® rig operating system, drillers can deploy advanced automation to elevate their people, their performance and their customers without an expensive rig upgrade. The SmartROS ® system was developed for drillers by drillers and can be scaled across fleets, regardless of manufacturer.
Momentum is Building
Deployed on over 150 rigs globally with more than 90 million feet drilled, Nabors’ SmartROS® system is the leading drilling automation platform worldwide. Beyond the Nabors fleet, the technology has been used by eight drilling contractors, and that number is rising. In the last four months, the SmartROS® system was installed on seven non-Nabors rigs for four drilling contractors across three countries.
Recently, Cyclone Drilling equipped Rig CYC39 with the SmartROS® automation platform to drive performance in the Powder River Basin. Using the SmartDRILL® technology, Cyclone successfully improved weight-to-weight connection times by 34.2%, had the fastest Niobrara well in the Powder River Basin and the three fastest wells the operator’s company history. Additionally, Cyclone continues to deploy our automation technologies across more rigs, with results greatly anticipated. You can read more about the recent success here.
Nabors also teamed up with Independence Contract Drilling (“ICD”) earlier this year to install the SmartROS® system on a rig in West Texas. The results were impressive: SmartDRILL® technology and crews improved weight-to-weight connections and overall connection times by 34% and 24%, respectively. Then, in East Texas, the REVit® system was used on an ICD rig, reducing stick slip by 62%, increasing average overall ROP by 9%, and eliminating 42% in total days. Back-to-back records were set for intermediates, and there were no motor failures. You can read the full case study here.
During Nabors second quarter 2024 earnings call, Chairman, CEO and President Anthony Petrello said, “These [SmartROS® system] installations demonstrate the value that our advanced rig technology delivers across the spectrum of contractors and operators.”