A co-pilot is only as good as its tools, and with SABER, AI in drilling operations could even the competitive advantage
By Andrew Law, CEO, Enteq Technologies
Once a staple of science fiction, propelled into serious academic thought by pioneers like Alan Turing, artificial intelligence (AI) has crystallised into the key technological trend and buzzword of the 2020s. Many expect it to have transformational potential for the energy industry, promising to drive efficiency, precision and intelligent operations unimaginable even five years ago. At Enteq, we recognise the rich heritage of innovation that has shaped the energy sector over the decades and have developed the SABER Tool to be fully AI-integrated in that spirit.
The AI revolution is well underway
In our day-to-day lives, the impact of AI is already evident. From the Amazon Alexa in your kitchen and personalised recommendations on Netflix, through to autonomous vehicles and smart energy management in homes, AI has quickly moved into our everyday.
This has happened because the significant benefits the technology can provide, as well as the potential it holds for the future, are immediately apparent. In this respect, downhole drilling is no exception, with enormous returns, both current and future, to be gained.
The oil and gas industry, which, unfortunately is often slower to adapt to change, has quickly embraced new AI technologies. Ernst & Young has found that 92% of oil and gas companies are investing in AI or plan to within the next five years. And solutions like Corva’s Drilling Optimisation platform are already enabling drillers to achieve significant efficiencies.
With early adopters already bearing fruit from their investments, big industry players are increasingly investing in AI technologies to optimise their operations. Reduced operational times, costs and minimised carbon intensity are ensuring that AI is rapidly moving from being a consideration on the horizon to a must across many parts of the energy industry.
However, smaller operators and those working with limited resources may be having a more challenging time adopting and integrating the technology. But AI adoption should not just be seen as an obligation. The technology holds genuinely transformative potential, and for those smaller players who, right now, are struggling to compete, it can be another tool that can help disrupt and level the playing field.
Starting small and scaling up
To harness AI effectively and combine it with innovative tools like SABER, the energy industry must avoid past mistakes from rushed digital transformations that led to siloed data and misaligned processes. AI integration should be approached methodically, focusing on collaboration between hardware suppliers, software providers, and drilling contractors to maximise benefits.
While the core components for full autonomous drilling are coming along at speed, maintaining a human in the loop will be a key consideration for any drilling operation. Starting small with an AI co-pilot on minor projects allows teams to introduce and refine methods before scaling up. The immediate goal is to enable crews to work in partnership with technology, enhancing human decision-making with AI support and providing a position to build further from.
Where the software meets the hardware
However, even the most advanced AI co-pilot is only as effective as the hardware it’s piloting, and this is where innovations like the SABER Tool play a critical role. Since its breakthrough as a gamechanger in the 90’s, RSS technology has remained stagnant, relying on external mechanical forces for steering, resulting in inefficiencies, friction, and higher failure rates. SABER breaks from this tradition with its unique use of fluid dynamics, eliminating external contact points and reducing mechanical failures. Crucially, SABER is fully compatible with AI systems, making it an ideal fit for operators looking to integrate cutting-edge software with advanced hardware. When AI and SABER are used together, the combined effect is increased reliability, efficiency, and operational performance.
Ensuring seamless communication and data exchange between tools, software, data collection systems, and surface equipment is crucial to unlocking the full potential of advanced tools like SABER and AI-driven technologies. However, achieving this requires careful collaboration with companies to tailor the compatibility of these systems to each unique drilling setup. By enabling interoperability, operators can streamline workflows, enhance data accuracy, and optimise the performance of all connected equipment. This not only enables AI-driven insights to be turned into immediate actions but also improves decision-making, operational efficiency, and overall system reliability. With AI adding an extra layer of foresight, this integration supports predictive maintenance, reduces downtime, and delivers wider operational benefits, ensuring more reliable and efficient drilling operations.
Embracing the future of drilling
AI is already transforming drilling, offering new opportunities for precision and efficiency. By adopting both AI and innovations like the SABER Tool, smaller operators can remain competitive and level the playing field with larger players. The future of drilling will be characterised by intelligent operations, remote capabilities, and streamlined processes, driven by AI and supported by advanced hardware.
As the industry continues to evolve, companies that embrace both software and hardware innovation will be best positioned to thrive in the future of drilling, ensuring they stay ahead of the curve and continue to deliver high performance and returns in a rapidly changing landscape.
Ready to explore the potential of the SABER Tool and AI integration? Learn more: https://www.enteq.com/products/rotary-steerable-system-srss/
