Future drilling technology: Closer than you think

StatoilHydro believes that a new, fully Automated Drilling System (ADS), while a major technological effort, is achievable in the relatively near future. The company is pursuing various sub-systems for incorporation into an all-inclusive integrated system. Two different solutions are the Drilltronics (IRIS/NOV) and the eControl/eDrilling (SINTEF /HPD/Aker Solutions) concepts. The Drilltronics system is based on mathematical computer models for dynamic real-time analysis of drilling processes; critical limits for operational parameters, such as drilling fluid pump rate, trip velocity and optimal process parameters are calculated. The result is used to control drilling equipment in real time. The new system has been field tested on the Statfjord C platform. Combining the new system with wired pipe, decision support programs and continuous measurements of drilling fluid parameters give synergy effects that, in the future, may allow remotely operated drilling systems.