Agenda

In the current cost-sensitive environment, any opportunity to reduce the costs of services and equipment in the upstream oil and gas industry is important. One way this can be achieved is through new technology providing alternative solutions to common problems. Using an innovative new welding method deemed Heat-less Welding Solutions (HWS), downhole tools including workstring tubing, drill pipe, non-magnetic drill collars, and mud motors can now be repaired rather than discarded, providing significant cost savings to operators and tool owners. In addition, the same welding process can be used to better protect downhole tools and prevent wear in the first place. This allows for the applications of: wear pads to the tube bodies of workstring tubing and drill pipe that prevent them from being worn by the formation and improve their casing-friendliness; repair of slip cuts on tube bodies; rebuilding and repairing tubing connections and drill pipe tool joints; hardfacing directional tools; and endless other possibilities. Arnco has developed this technology to revolutionize the way tools are protected and repaired in the oilfield to prolong their usable lifetimes, passing savings on to owners and users.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is all around us. The chance is that you have already used at least one AI technology today. It could be doing simple tasks such as unlocking your mobile phone with your fingerprint, face focusing on your camera, spam filtering your email inbox, finding the best route to beat the traffic, etc. It could also be in a very complex form such as a using self-driving vehicle.

Advancements in AI technology are moving quickly. However, AI is still relatively new to the drilling industry. Companies approach AI in different ways and the degree of the automation that will be achieved is still unknown. We all hope that automation through AI will provide highly productive and cost-effective solutions in a safe working environment. Is this a false hope? Compared to other industries, are we ahead or behind in the adoption of AI and automation?

This panel assembles explorers with first-hand experience in AI and automation-related projects to share their stories on how innovative technologies are implemented to create value and improve operational performance, as well as discuss current challenges and lessons learned.

Volatility in the oil price since 2015 has affected most, if not all, companies in the oil and gas industry. The short-term decisions made to readjust business operational strategies for the sake of financial health resulted in employing low cost and ineffective methods to drill and produce resources. Often, cost-cutting measures ultimately affect companies’ confidence to invest in new technologies which negatively impact operational performance optimisation in the long term.

A new shift must be initiated to encourage investing and implementing new technologies across project lifecycles. Continuous process and cost streamlining, while maintaining profitability and optimising assets and/or equipment performance is important, however, a long-term focus must also be maintained to ensure real change is pursued and executed to transcend traditional methods of ensuring profitability in a low oil price scenario.

Decision makers and experts will share their experiences with adopting technologies to enhance business and operations performance.