When picking up a rig from a new drilling contractor, there is often a discovery period as teams work to align on processes, expectations, and performance goals. Engaging a new team, workflow, and operational approach can often delay the path to high performance.
But that ramp-up period does not have to be a given. When bringing on a Nabors SmartRig®, early performance doesn’t happen by luck; it’s the result of alignment, proven automation, and quick application of lessons learned. Nabors turns the uncertainty of changing colors into the confidence of day-one performance on the rig.
Day-One Performance Built on Years of Execution
On their first deployment of a Nabors SmartRig®, one operator ran the full suite of Performance Tools with directional drilling supported by Nabors’ Remote Operations Center. Nabors delivered a high-performance rollout that accelerated early operations and enabled rapid optimization during critical early stages of the program.
With dedicated support members on location for the first 30 days, Nabors skipped the typical learning curve and delivered immediate results:
- Delivered the four-well pad 25 days ahead of schedule, averaging 6.35 days ahead for each well.
- Surpassed their best offset by 5 days, delivering the second well 10.6 days ahead of schedule.
- Achieved the fastest intermediate section in just 4.2 days.
Read the full case study here.
The Power of People + Technology
Even the most advanced technology is only as valuable as the people making the decisions behind it. From the driller in the doghouse to the performance engineer in office, every optimization is a combination of seamless collaboration and field-driven insight. By combining automation with experienced oversight, Nabors delivered a high-performance rollout. More specifically,
- SmartDRILL® process automation consistently executed optimal connections, replicating the best standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the basin and eliminating the risks of manual variability.
- SmartPLAN® intelligent execution provided the drilling personnel with a clear, step-by-step roadmap to stay ahead of targets and execute operational procedures.
- SmartNAV® directional guidance system delivered precise wellbore placement by integrating real-time downhole data to ensure directional accuracy.
- Nabors’ Remote Operations Center equipped personnel with advanced knowledge of the performance tools, providing close oversight on directional drilling and refining SOPs for optimal execution.
- In addition to performance tools, Integra’s MPD-Ready® Express service enabled safe, uninterrupted drilling by managing high-pressure water flow in the intermediate sections. The service helped avoid delays and well control incidents, allowing the production sections to drill with lighter mud while maintaining wellbore stability.
A Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Each well provides the opportunity to build on the last. Refining automation recipes based on lessons learned, Nabors not only delivers results early but also sets operators up for continued success. This commitment ensures that operators realize not just short-term wins but long-term value when choosing Nabors.
Interested in learning more? Contact your Nabors’ sales representative.