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Drilling systems automation (DSA) is moving into commercial activities on a broad front. Equipment suppliers are delivering automated drilling-control systems, and everyone (equipment suppliers, service companies, drilling contractors, operators) is delivering systems-automation applications. -
Drilling systems automation requires a digital backbone. One segment of that backbone is the interval between the drill bit and the surface. Wired pipe removes both the bandwidth and latency barriers of the available measurement-while-drilling telemetry systems.
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Signs of maturity in drilling systems automation are evident in the success stories filtering out of technical conferences and in the attraction of top university talent to an annual, international, drilling-systems-automation contest.
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Over the past year, workshops and symposia have made it clear that consideration of data and digitalization plays an important role in transforming companies in the drilling industry. Systems automation requires a digital backbone and offers significant performance, cost, and safety benefits.
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As systems automation becomes more widespread in drilling, simulators are required to plan, train rig crews, and monitor real-time operations.
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One of the interesting developments in the last few years is an emerging understanding of the need to develop the communication infrastructure for a drilling operation.
