The following three papers show challenges and potential solutions across various stages of the deepwater well-development cycle from a variety of deepwater basins across the world.
Paper SPE 228825 struck me with something that needs to have more emphasis: When data shows that your original model may not be as good as you thought, you need to make a quick decision on whether to proceed.
In other industries, we often hear the term “fast failure.” This is a philosophy we do not always apply as rigorously in our business. At various stages, we may have invested a significant amount of time, effort, and money in a project, and, when data is telling us something different, human interests and feelings often make walking away difficult.
Paper SPE 227955 discusses autonomous drilling, something that has been discussed in one way or another throughout my career. I am glad to see that progress is being made with a sensible approach that allows for human intervention guided by automated interpretation, linking service companies and rig contractors. I am convinced that this will become an increasing part of drilling in the future.
I chose paper OTC 36804 because we are rapidly approaching the plug-and-abandonment phase in many deepwater basins. Technology and integrated solutions will play an increasing role in this area to keep operations cost-effective and safe.
I hope you all enjoy reading these papers. It was a challenge to choose only three from the many excellent papers submitted on deepwater topics in the past year.
Summarized Papers in This May 2026 Issue
SPE 228825 Prospect Revalidation Using Integrated Perspective Leads to No-Drill Decision by Obinna Chudi, SPE, Renaissance Africa Energy, and Kumar Gautam and Chima Chikezie, Shell, et al.
SPE 227955 Global Deepwater Drilling Project Derives Drilling Parameters With AI Application by Salvatore Spagnolo, SPE, Valerio Bruni, and Carmelo Camillieri, Eni, et al.
OTC 36084 Study Reviews Best Practices for PWC Technique for Abandonment in Deepwater Brazil by Rafael P.M. Moreira, SPE, Aline G.G. de Oliveira, and Rodrigo D. Lucchesi, Petrobras, et al.
Recommended Additional Reading
IPTC 25086 Navigating Deep Waters—Derisking and Early Monetization Opportunities With Early Production System Floater by Tong Wen Jie, Petronas, et al.
SPE 229024 Navigating the Depths in Offshore Andaman, Indonesia: Revolutionizing Deepwater Drilling With Seismic While Drilling and Fiber-Optic Technologies by F. Bagis, Mubadala Enerby, et al.
OTC 35642 Rigless Abandonment Strategy for Deepwater Field—Case Study for Bonga End of Field Life by A. Okosun, Shell, et al.
Andy Hawthorn, SPE, is portfolio manager for smart services at Baker Hughes. He has more than 35 years of experience in the upstream industry. Hawthorn holds degrees in geology and geotechnical engineering from the University of Durham. For the past 25 years, he has been involved in the development and introduction of deepwater technology. Hawthorn’s interests range from seismic through sonic and ultrasonic, geomechanics and its applications from spud through completion. He has contributed to more than 100 papers and holds numerous patents across his research and engineering interests. Hawthorn is a long-term member of SPE and has served as a panel member, moderator, and organizer of a variety of workshops, as well as being a distinguished speaker.