Having comprehensively evolved rig intake services since the acquisition of inspection leaders ModuSpec in 2008 and WEST Engineering Services (2012), we share some global insights on the changes over the last ten years.
Rig optimisation requires the big picture
Drilling rigs have advanced technically over the decade, spurred on by the emphasis to drill wells more quickly, safely and cost effectively than ever before. Software controlled robotics
and automatisation have emerged, as well as more complex downhole tools, improved dynamic positioning systems, extended capabilities and multi-purpose vessels.
With increasingly complex operations and systems, it can be difficult to strike the right balance between business risk and operational targets.
- People are unfamiliar with new rig and equipment types.
- Systems and their associated safety and regulatory requirements are more demanding.
- Equipment innovation has seen a move away from iron-roughnecks to pipe handlers, with the use of automated drilling systems adding the complexity of cyber security and software issues to everyday operations.
Challenges also arise from more complex well design, advanced drilling techniques, reduced flat-time expectations, reduced crew and out-of-date drilling KPIs.
The focus needs to be on a holistic PSE approach to understand the efficiency of drilling operations and streamline inspections to achieve reduced non-productive time, improved performance and enhanced safety of assets, personnel and the environment.
You can do more for less with big data
The move from a manual to a digital offshore world is arguably the biggest breaking story in a decade, with the application of analytics to various data sets augmenting our engineering expertise, from the front-end analysis of a project to help with financial modelling to ongoing technical support and condition-based monitoring of assets and equipment. Today’s predictive maintenance solutions are helping operators to avoid unnecessary expenditure, downtime costs and pollution penalties.
Over the next decade, new digital efficiencies will continue to drive optimisation initiatives, proving central to meeting tough operational targets. Whether for the super majors or new entrants, To be most effective, the exploitation of data must bring together expertise across all sides of the drilling business, from asset and operational integrity to well operations.