New rig designs and floor equipment improve safety and performance
RUSSELL WRIGHT, Contributing Editor If one thought there isn’t anything new that drilling rig and equipment designers and manufacturers could bring to the industry, it’s time to think again. Equipment manufacturers and drilling contractors continue to develop new or enhanced rig designs and rig equipment to emphasize safety and environmental responsibility. Squeezing out the last percentage increase in performance and efficiency also continues as an industry goal. New or improved pipe handling systems and equipment that provide increased safety by reducing the size of rig crews on the rig floor are continually being offered by manufacturing companies Land and offshore rig contractors are striving to increase mobility through automation, flexible design and specialization, when necessary, to meet harsh environmental conditions. In addition to several newbuilds, some promising new rig systems are being proposed or already being tested. Here’s a sampling of what’s new, or in development during the past year.
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- Using data to create new completion efficiencies (February 2024)
- Digital tool kit enhances real-time decision-making to improve drilling efficiency and performance (February 2024)
- E&P outside the U.S. maintains a disciplined pace (February 2024)
- U.S. operators reduce activity as crude prices plunge (February 2024)
- Drilling advances (January 2024)
- Driving MPD adoption with performance-enhancing technologies (January 2024)