Drilling-Systems-Automation Roadmap: The Means To Accelerate Adoption

Abstract

This article, written by Special Publications Editor Adam Wilson, contains highlights of paper SPE 173010, “Drilling-Systems-Automation Roadmap: The Means To Accelerate Adoption,” by John P. de Wardt, SPE, De Wardt and Company; John D. Macpherson, SPE, Baker Hughes; Mario Zamora, M-I Swaco; Blaine Dow, SPE, and Slim Hbaieb, SPE, Schlumberger; Robin A. Macmillan, SPE, National Oilwell Varco; Moray L. Laing, SPE, SAS Institute; Amanda M. DiFiore, QinetiQ North America; Calvin E. Inabinett Jr., SPE, Aerojet Rocketdyne; and Mark W. Anderson, SPE, Shell International E&P, prepared for the 2015 SPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition, London, 17–19 March. The paper has not been peer reviewed. The drilling-systems-automation roadmap (DSA-R) initiative is a cross-industry effort launched in June 2013 to help accelerate the adoption of advancements in drilling-systems automation (DSA) for both onshore and offshore wells. When completed, this technology roadmap will provide the drilling industry with a well-defined guide on the expected development and adoption of DSA technology in both the short and the long term. The roadmap uses a well-known template developed by Sandia National Laboratories to provide a mechanism to forecast how DSA developments can progress. Introduction Despite the well-known potential benefits of drilling automation, there is a perception by some that automation in other major industries has outpaced that achieved in drilling. Issues and barriers associated with automation in complex drilling operations coupled with a fragmented business environment have been reported. A concerted cross-industry technology-roadmap initiative was launched in June 2013 driven by the need identified at an industry workshop. This independent initiative supported by an all-volunteer committee became affiliated with three organizations with members interested in this technology development: SPE, the International Association of Drilling Contractors, and the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. A technology roadmap is a detailed, structured document that articulates the clearly defined objectives and the technology resources needed to meet specific long-term goals. It differentiates various technology elements and ties them together though a coordinated timeline identifying when and how business value can be realized. The process developed by Sandia National Laboratories was the most appropriate example for adoption for the DSA-road-mapping process.