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		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ISSUES IN ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DRILLING & ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[COMPLETIONS Industry executives ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[share views on business ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[models, workforce, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[automation and more ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN/FEB 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Volume 80 • Number 1 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Official magazine of the International ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Association of Drilling Contractors ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[www.drillingcontractor.org www.iadc.org ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Next-gens share personal ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[perspectives on decision ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to join oil and gas industry ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Petroleum engineering students ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cite flexibility, growth and culture ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as key motivators – p35 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[New insulated drill pipe ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[enables efficient drilling of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ultra-deep geothermal wells ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Technology shows promise in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lowering downhole temperatures, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[protecting equipment – p38 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="2">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Celebrate 20 years of Well Control Training excellence with Wild Well ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Control, the gold standard of Well Control training. In the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[unpredictable world of well control events, how you react is crucial, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[safety and training are paramount. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Trust Wild Well Control Training to empower your crew with the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[expertise needed to tackle any situation confidently. As we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[commemorate two decades of dedication in raising the bar of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry education, join us in ensuring safety while building a legacy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of competency for the next 20 years and beyond. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Elevate your team, elevate your success. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[WILDWELL.COM | +1 (281) 784.4700 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="3">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[TAB LE OF CONTE NTS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Official magazine of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the International ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Association of Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Contractors JAN/FEB 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Volume 80 • Number 1 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drillingcontractor.org iadc.org ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ARO Drilling took delivery of the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Kingdom 1 jackup in November. The ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[company’s CEO, Mohamed Hegazi, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[talked to DC recently about his vision for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the future and ARO’s ongoing 20-rig ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[newbuild program (see Page 28). ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[12 Abdulrahman Abdulla AlSeiari, ADNOC Drilling: ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ADNOC Drilling looks to digital and integrated ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[services solutions to drive better well deliveries ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY STEPHEN WHITFIELD, SENIOR EDITOR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[16 Carlos José do Nascimento Travassos, Petrobras: ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Petrobras relying on innovation, close supplier ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[collaboration to keep cost escalation in check ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY LINDA HSIEH, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[18 Molly Smith, Murphy Oil: Scaling up efficiency ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in a digital future will require better data ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[management, standardization ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[12 BY STEPHEN WHITFIELD, SENIOR EDITOR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[22 Najeeb Al-Abdulrahman, Saudi Aramco: Skilled ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[31 workforce, innovations in drilling engineering ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[among Aramco’s key tenets for success ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY LINDA HSIEH, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[24 Dan Hoffarth, Citadel Drilling: Drillers seek ways ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to maintain capital discipline while still investing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to keep rigs competitive ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY STEPHEN WHITFIELD, SENIOR EDITOR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[28 Mohamed Hegazi, ARO Drilling: Old views ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of drilling, contracting must be shed ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[so industry can drive meaningful improvements ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY LINDA HSIEH, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[31 Samantha McCulloch, Australian Energy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Producers: Amid regulatory headwinds, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Australia seeks policy stability, growth ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for gas and LNG markets ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY STEPHEN WHITFIELD, SENIOR EDITOR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[35 Next-gen petroleum engineering ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[students: Flexibility, growth and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[culture among key motivators ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[STAFF REPORT ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[H S E & M E N TA L H E A LT H ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[36 Seadrill tackles employee ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mental health and wellbeing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[amid growing need for action ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[STAFF REPORT ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[3 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="4">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[TAB LE OF CONTE NTS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[GEOTHERMAL DRILLING ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[38 Insulated drill pipe offers new ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tool to enable efficient drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of ultra-deep geothermal wells ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DRILLING MARKETS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[39 Comparison of different models ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for integrated services contracts ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shows how cost savings ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fluctuate BY STEPHEN WHITFIELD, SENIOR EDITOR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY STEPHEN WHITFIELD, SENIOR EDITOR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC CONNECTION ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[41 From the President: IADC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[project provides new insights to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[enhance oil and gas recruiting ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY JASON MCFARLAND, IADC PRESIDENT ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[42 IADC Board of Directors elects ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2024 officers ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[43 News Cuttings ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[44 Wirelines ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[45 Conference Calendar ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[46 Editorial Preview ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DEPARTMENTS 50 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[6 Drilling Ahead: Industry must ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[evolve its recruiting strategies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[amid ‘war for talent’ ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY LINDA HSIEH, EDITOR & PUBLISHER ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[7 D&C News ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[8 D&C Tech Digest ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[10 11 Oil & Gas Markets ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[47 People, Companies & Products ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[49 Advertisers Index ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[50 Perspectives: Rob Holbrook, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[News Briefs: Environmental, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Social and Governance ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Rapad Drilling – Relationships, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[open-mindedness key to long ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[career in oil and gas ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY STEPHEN WHITFIELD, SENIOR EDITOR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[NOTE: Some articles feature QR Codes which can be scanned using your smartphone to access web-exclusive, enhanced editorial on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DrillingContractor.org or in our Digital Reader. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN/FEB 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Volume 80 • Number 1 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Drilling Contractor (ISSN 0046-0702), the official ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[magazine of the International Association of Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Contractors (IADC), is issued six times per year. DC is a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wholly owned publication of IADC, which is also the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[publisher of the annual IADC Membership Directory. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Drilling Contractor strives to ensure that the articles and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[information it publishes are accurate and reliable. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[However, DC cannot warranty the information provided ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in its editorial content, and publication in DC is not a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[guarantee that the material presented is accurate. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DC wants to hear from its readers. Send your comments ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[or inquiries to editor@iadc.org or Attn: Editor, Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Contractor Magazine, 3657 Briarpark Drive, Suite 200, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Houston, Texas 77042 (please include your name, plus ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[an email or phone number). We hope you will enjoy and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[benefit from DC’s editorial. However, should you wish to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[4 complain, please contact the publisher. Our complaint ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[policy is posted at www.drillingcontractor.org. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Subscriptions are free to operational personnel ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[employed by contract-drilling firms or by major, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[national or independent oil companies. Publisher ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reserves the right to refuse non-qualified subscriptions. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Paid subscriptions are available at $310 per year, US; ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[4520, outside the US. Single issues are $52. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For advertising rates or information, call Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Contractor at +1-713-292-1945 or check our website at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[www.drillingcontractor.org. Postmaster: Please send address changes to Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Contractor magazine, 3657 Briarpark Drive, Suite 200, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Houston, Texas 77042. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[© 2024 Drilling Contractor. All rights reserved. Printed ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the USA. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[PUBLISHED BY ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC OFFICERS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC 3657 Briarpark Drive ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Suite 200 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Houston, Texas 77042 USA ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Chairman Brad James ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Phone: +1 713 292 1945 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling.contractor@iadc.org www.drillingcontractor.org ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Secretary-Treasurer Scott McReaken ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[EDITORIAL STAFF ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Vice President, Editor & Publisher ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Linda Hsieh ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Creative Director ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Brian C. Parks ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Senior Editor ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Stephen Whitfield ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Editorial Assistant ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Shaun Ranft ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Vice Chairman ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Kevin Neveu ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Division VP North America ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Onshore Gene Stahl ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Division VP International ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Onshore James “Jim” Nowotny ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Division VP Offshore ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Jon Richards ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Division VP Drilling Services ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Tim McGarity ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[President Jason McFarland ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[A full list of IADC staff is available here: www.iadc.org/about/staff ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="5">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Toll Free: 855-442-2922 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Call: 361-442-2922 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Fax: 361-442-2576 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[P.O. Box 10367 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Corpus Christi, TX 78460 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2653 Hwy 44 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Robstown, TX 78380 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sales@totaloilfieldequipment.com www.totaloilfieldequipment.com ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We accept ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[all major ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[credit cards ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[API 6A-1296 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[API 16A-0305 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[API 16C-0198 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ISO 9001: 2015 APIQR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Reg. No. 1541 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[API SPEC Q1 APIQR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Reg. No. Q1-1363 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="6">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DEPARTMENTS • DRILLING AHEAD ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DON’T MISS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[OUT Market your brand ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and products through ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[print and digital ads. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For a complete ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[list of advertising ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[opportunities, scan ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the QR code below. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[GROWING PAINS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[PIONEER CRITICAL ISSUES ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IN DRILLING & ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[COMPLETIONS MARKET OUTLOOK: ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[FORECASTING 2022 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Activity ramp-up pushes ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[workforce challenges back ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to center stage ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN/FEB 2023 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Volume 79 • Number 1 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Official magazine of the International ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Association of Drilling Contractors ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[www.drillingcontractor.org www.iadc.org ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Energy storage, alternative fuels among key ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[efforts to reduce emissions footprint – p12 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC Chairman Andy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Hendricks: Industry optimistic ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for period of stability ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Moderated growth can create ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[healthier business environment ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for drillers – p38 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DC_2023_COVER_JANFEB.indd 5 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[New dual-gradient drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[technique aims to remove ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[limiters for ultra-deep wells ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Technology combines new surface ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[& downhole systems with current ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[equipment, drilling practices – p33 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[1/20/2023 12:53:46 PM ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[WWW.DRILLINGCONTRACTOR.ORG WWW.IADC.ORG ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[GOING THE ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DISTANCE Extended laterals require ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[new solutions for bit ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[guidance, handling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[excessive torques – p14 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[MAR/APR 2023 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Volume 79 • Number 2 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Official magazine of the International ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Association of Drilling Contractors ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[www.drillingcontractor.org www.iadc.org ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Digital tools streamline ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[design, testing process ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[during drill bit selection ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Digital twins, in-bit sensors ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shorten iteration cycle, help ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operators start drilling faster – p28 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Drill pipes, BHAs evolve as ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wellbore geometries push ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[existing boundaries ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Improvements include greater ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fatigue resistance for connections, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[better surface control of BHAs – p20 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[SHALE INNOVATIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Technologies target better ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[OCTG supply chains, casing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[running, equipment service ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[life and corrosion – p20 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[MAY/JUNE 2023 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CCS shows promise but ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[faces challenges scaling up ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Official magazine of the International ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Association of Drilling Contractors ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[www.drillingcontractor.org www.iadc.org ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Some contractors looking at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[repurposing rigs to drill injection ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wells and contributing to blue ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[hydrogen production – p14 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Volume 79 • Number 3 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[New ISP report highlights ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[another rise in LTIs, fatalities ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Amid market recovery, LTI and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[recordable rates are up by 15-18% ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[while number of fatalities doubles ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to 15 in 2022 from 7 in 2021 – p40 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[NEXT FRONTIER FOR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[RIG ALARM ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[SYSTEMS Drillers using computer ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[vision, AI technologies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to optimize alerts for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[performance, safety – p16 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JULY/AUGUST 2023 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Volume 79 • Number 4 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Official magazine of the International ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Association of Drilling Contractors ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[www.drillingcontractor.org www.iadc.org ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Industry building circular ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[water economy as operators ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lean into recycling, reuse ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Expanded transport infrastructure, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[advances in water treatment help ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to reduce freshwater use – p30 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[‘Walking’ tool anchors bit ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to rock to prevent stick/slip ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in geothermal drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Prototype of new tool recently ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tested on Nabors land rig; market ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[launch planned for 2024 – p36 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[THE NEW WORLD ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[OF DIGITAL DRILLING ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ENGINEERING Increasingly sophisticated ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[digital platforms become ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[indispensable tools for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling engineers – p14 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[SEPT/OCT 2023 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As workforce evolves, well ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[control training must too ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Official magazine of the International ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Association of Drilling Contractors ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[www.drillingcontractor.org www.iadc.org ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Training providers focus on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[adding simulators, improving ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[classroom experience, seamless ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[delivery of virtual classes – p24 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Volume 79 • Number 5 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[One-on-one with Valaris ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CEO Anton Dibowitz ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Company keeps focus on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[people-driven service delivery ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[even as it invests in AI, robotics ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and sustainability – p38 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DRILLING CONTRACTORS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DRILLINGCONTRACTOR.ORG IADC.ORG ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DRILLINGCONTRACTOR.ORG/ MEDIAKIT ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[OF DRILLING CONTRACTORS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[6 Industry must evolve its recruiting ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[strategies amid ‘war for talent’ ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY LINDA HSIEH, EDITOR & PUBLISHER ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As the drilling industry continues to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[recover from the previous downturn, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[employee recruitment and retention has ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[again surfaced as a top priority. However, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[this time, multiple economic and social ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[factors are making the challenge more dif- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ficult than it’s ever been. This means that, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[if your organization has not taken a good ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[look at your employee value proposition ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[(EVP) lately – which answers the ques- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion of why someone should work for your ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[organization – you are already behind the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[competition. Speaking at the 2023 IADC Annual ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[General Meeting in November, Diamond ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Offshore’s Senior VP of Human Resources ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Amy Roddy urged companies to think ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[beyond the traditional approach of pro- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[moting pay and compensation . It is still ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[important, of course, but it’s only one piece ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of a bigger puzzle. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“As an industry, we are not as differenti- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ated as we have been in the past,” she said ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[during a panel session focusing on recruit- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing and retention. “Pay is not that much ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[higher. A roustabout can go work onshore ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[today for companies like Amazon or UPS; ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[they have other options. There are other ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[heavy industries that are also paying well, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[so that is not the differentiator for us.” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[She encouraged employers to take a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[much more holistic approach as they con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sider their EVP and put more focus on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[things like career growth and nurturing a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sense of affiliation with the organization. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“Last but not least, employees value mean- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing and purpose,” Ms Roddy said. “ This ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[includes work-life balance and finding ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[individual purpose in our work.” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Ms Roddy also presented recent find- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ings from IADC’s Industry Value Initiative ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[(IVI), which surveyed prospective employ- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ees to better understand how they per- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ceive the drilling industry (see Page 41). ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[When used in conjunction with a well- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rounded EVP, the IVI results can go a long ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[way toward helping organizations in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling industry craft a more compelling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[recruiting message. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Flexibility is key ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[When thinking about the EVP, it’s also ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[important for an organization to know ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[what its boundaries are, Bianca Richards ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Agar, HR Director for SLB, suggested dur- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing the panel. “Where are you willing to be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[flexible and where are you not?” she asked. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As companies consider boundaries, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[however, they should keep in mind that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“we are in a war for talent,” Ms Agar said. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“We aren’t in a position now where people ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will line up around the corner to work for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[you when you have your recruiting days ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[open.” This means that the more flexible ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[an organization is willing to be, the easier ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[it will be to attract and retain top talent. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Another strategy organizations can take ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is to broaden their recruitment scope. For ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[example, SLB is currently trialing the con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cept of a “returnship,” which targets people ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[who had left the oil and gas industry and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are currently unemployed . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“Think about employees who have left ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to look after family or other responsibili- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ties. Think about people who took career ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[breaks for burnout,” she said. The return- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ship puts them through a 12-week pro- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gram, at the end of which they can choose ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[whether to return in a full-time capacity. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Because these people already know the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[basics , “they will be hitting the ground ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[running from Day 1” if they come back. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Providing the next-gen perspective on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the panel was David LaRosa, a recent ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[graduate who just joined the industry last ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[year . He pointed to Tik Tok as the social ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[media platform where oilfield recruit- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ers need to focus their efforts, noting its ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ubiquitous influence among young people ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[today. Especially for those who are not ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from a state like Texas or Oklahoma, they ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will be much less familiar with oilfield ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[career opportunities , and Tik Tok videos ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can serve as a bridge. “With this new era ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of employees like myself, we’re online and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we’re scrolling,” Mr LaRosa said. “Every ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[single guy on my rig that’s from a non- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[target state, they ended up there because ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[they saw a video on Tik Tok .” DC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="7">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DRILLING & COMPLETION NEWS • DEPARTMENTS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Valaris adds new drillships to its fleet, citing positive outlook for ultra-deepwater floaters ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Valaris took delivery of newbuild drillships VALARIS DS-13 and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DS-14 in December for an aggregate purchase price of approxi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mately $337 million. These deliveries increase Valaris' drillship ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fleet to 13. The two rigs will be mobilized from the South Korean ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shipyard to Las Palmas, Spain, where they will be stacked until ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[contracted for work. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA["Following the successful contracting of six of our stacked drill- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ships since mid-2021, the purchase of VALARIS DS-13 and DS-14 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[increases our operating leverage to the attractive ultra-deepwater ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[floater market," said Anton Dibowitz, Valaris President and CEO. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA["Based on our positive market outlook, growing future demand ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and strong customer interest in these rigs, we believe that the pur- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[chase of these high-specification drillships at compelling prices ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will generate attractive returns.” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Seadrill rigs score Petrobras contracts ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Petrobras has awarded 1,064-day fixed-term contracts to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Seadrill's West Auriga and West Polaris drillships . The con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tracts are expected to commence in Q4 2024 and represent a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[total contract value of approximately $1.1 billion, inclusive of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[additional services and mobilization fees. The drillships will ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[transition to Seadrill from the existing third-party managers ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[before undertaking the campaigns with Petrobras. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Diamond's Ocean BlackRhino drillship ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[awarded new contract in Guinea-Bissau ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The Hercules harsh-environment semi was recently mobi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lized to Namibia to drill two wells there for Galp. The ﬁ rst well ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[conﬁ rmed a light oil discovery in January. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Galp confirms 'significant' oil discovery ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with new exploration well in Namibia ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Galp and its partners NAMCOR and Custos have drilled and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[logged the first exploration well, Mopane-1X, in block PEL83 off- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shore Namibia. The well confirms the discovery of a significant ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[column of light oil in reservoir-bearing sands of high quality. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In the coming weeks, Galp will continue to analyze the acquired ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[data and anticipates performing a drill stem test to assess the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[commerciality of this discovery. In the meantime, drilling opera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tions at Mopane-1X will proceed to explore deeper targets. Upon ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[completion, the Hercules semisubmersible, managed by Odfjell ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Drilling, will be relocated to the Mopane-2X location to further ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[evaluate the extent of the Mopane discovery. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Payara development begins production ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In mid-November, Hess Corp announced the startup of produc- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion from the Payara development on the Stabroek Block offshore ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Guyana . The Prosperity floating production, storage and offload- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing (FPSO) vessel is expected to reach its initial production of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[220,000 gross barrels of oil per day (BOPD) over the first half of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2024 as new wells are brought online. Production capacity on the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Stabroek Block is now approximately 620,000 gross BOPD. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In total, six FPSOs with a gross production capacity of more ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[than 1.2 million BOPD are expected to be online on the Stabroek ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Block by the end of 2027 . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Diamond Offshore Drilling entered into a drilling contract ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with an independent operator to utilize the Ocean BlackRhino ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for work offshore Guinea-Bissau. The Ocean BlackRhino was ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[awarded a one-well contract with a minimum duration of 30 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[days, representing $15.4 million of additional backlog, exclud- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing mobilization. Work under the new contract is expected to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[commence in July 2024 in direct continuation of the rig's cur- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rent contract with Woodside in Senegal. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Evaluation continues on Suriname Block ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[52 after new oil discovery by Petronas ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[PETRONAS has made an oil discovery at the Roystonea-1 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[exploration well in Suriname’s Block 52. The well, located ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[about 185 km offshore in a water depth of 904 m, was drilled to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a total depth of 5,315 m. It also encountered several oil-bearing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Campanian sandstone reservoir packages. Further evaluation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is being undertaken to determine the full extent of this discov- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ery and its potential development synergy with the Sloanea-1 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[discovery, which was made in 2020 within the same block. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Sparta deepwater development in US Gulf ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[advances as Shell and Equinor take FID ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Shell and Equinor have reached final investment decision ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[(FID) for the Sparta deepwater development in the US Gulf of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mexico . Production is expected to begin in 2028 , with expected ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ultimate recoverable resources currently estimated at above ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[250 million bbl. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The development plan includes eight production wells ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tied back to a semisubmersible floating production unit. The ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Sparta platform is a replication of Shell 's Vito and Whale proj- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ects, enabling a standardized design approach. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[7 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="8">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DEPARTMENTS • DRILLING & COMPLETION TECH DIGEST ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Integrated cementing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[solution saves 18 hours ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on subsea well in US GOM ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Using casing while drilling, Hunt Oil was able to reduce the number of runs ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[required on the Macoveiu 3900 well in Romania, leading to cost and time savings. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Hunt Oil and Odfjell Technologies set European depth ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[record for 20-in. casing while drilling in Romania ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Odfjell Technology recently worked ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with Hunt Oil to reach a European depth ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[record for 20-in. casing while drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[(CWD) in its Macoveiu 3900 well, located ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in Bazau, Romania. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CWD was selected as the solution to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mitigate possible surface hole hazards ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[like shallow gas, formations sensitive to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[swabbing, tight hole and loss of circula- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion, as well as to achieve time savings ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for the surface section . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[A cap was set on the maximum ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[achievable working flow rate due to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rig surface equipment limitations. This ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[flow rate ceiling was lower than what ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[was required for optimal operational ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[performance, so this scenario required ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[additional analysis of the drill bit per- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[formance, wellbore hydraulics and hole ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cleaning. The existing 20-in. casing by ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[24-in. bit design was analyzed, opti- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mized and validated for the expected ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[conditions. A CWD record-breaking depth of 798 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[m below rotary was recorded . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[By implementing Odfjell Technology’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CWD services, Hunt Oil reduced the num- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ber of runs required with significant ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[saving on time and cost thanks to the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[elimination of conventional bottomhole ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[assembly handling and tripping times. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The operator was also able to achieve its ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling objectives on this 24-in. section ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[by using Odfjell’s casing running tool , ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[torque turn computers, manual handling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tools and hydraulic power tongs with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[high-torque capacity and power packs. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[There were also no recordable incidents ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[or accidents recorded during the opera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion. Expro recently completed a well cement ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[placement project for a large international ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operator in the US Gulf of Mexico (GOM) . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Inner-string cementing was delivered for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a subsea well’s 22-in. surface casing in a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[water depth of approximately 2,000 m in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the Mississippi Canyon area. That was ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[integrated with Expro's Cure technologies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to allow the operator to overcome ongo- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing offset well challenges. These included ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[prolonged wait on cement (WOC) periods ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[when transitioning directly from the jet ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[string to the 22-in. surface casing, and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tasks associated with drilling out a 22-in. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shoetrack. The integrated cementing solution ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[helped save approximately 18 hours of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cement-related drill-out, clean-out and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[WOC time compared with offset wells. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The Cure technologies also removed the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[requirement for a shoetrack to be left ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the casing string, preventing cement ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sheath-related challenges. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Transocean Norge semi ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[earns DNV notation for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[greenhouse gas abatement ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Late last year, the Transocean Norge ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[became the first semisubmersible to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[receive DNV’s Abate (Power+) notation, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[following upgrades designed to lower the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rig's greenhouse emissions during opera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion. The notation is designed to reflect ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the best industry practices in greenhouse ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gas abatement for offshore units and rep- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[resents a comprehensive energy and emis- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sion management system aligned with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ISO 50001 standards. It emphasizes rigor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ous monitoring of energy consumption ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[SLB, Nabors to scale adoption of drilling automation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[SLB and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Nabors Industries ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are embarking on a collaboration to enable ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[8 PRECISE or Nabors’ SmartROS rig oper- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ating system. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and the implementation of operational and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[technical strategies to reduce emissions. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Transocean implemented several key ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[strategies to ensure the rig meets these ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[customers to integrate the companies' ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“Our collaboration with Nabors will ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[standards : comprehensive monitoring ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling automation applications and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[provide E&P customers and drilling con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of energy consumption, optimization of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rig operating systems . Customers will ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tractors across the globe with greater ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operational energy, use of closed bus ties ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have access to a broader suite of drill- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[access to high-performance drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to minimize the number of idle engines, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing automation technologies and greater ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[capabilities, including Neuro autono- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and variable frequency drives in rotating ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[flexibility to utilize existing rig control ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mous directional drilling,” said Jesus ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[machinery to optimally control the power ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[systems and equipment on either SLB’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Lamas, President, Well Construction, SLB. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for large rotating machinery. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="9">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DRILLING & COMPLETION TECH DIGEST • DEPARTMENTS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Surge Energy uses Latshaw Rig 10 to drill 18,325-ft lateral in Permian in 12.5 days ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Four years ago, Surge Energy worked ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with Latshaw Drilling and Pro Directional ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to drill what it said was the longest known ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lateral in the Permian Basin at the time, at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[17,935 ft. Now, the companies have exceed- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ed that lateral distance in another Permian ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[well. In Q4 2023, the companies drilled the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Succubus-Rougarou 24-37 7AH well in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Wolfcamp A play in Borden County, Texas, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with a total horizontal displacement of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[18,325 ft. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The well, which was drilled by Latshaw ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Drilling’s Rig 10, was executed in 12.5 days ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from surface to its total measured depth of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[24,879 ft. This marked a six-day reduction ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in drilling time from the 2019 well, where ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the total measured depth of 24,592 ft was ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reached in 18 days. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[This drop in time was primarily enabled ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[by the elimination of a planned trip, said ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Jeremy Christopherson, Drilling Manager ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[at Surge Energy. The 2019 well featured ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a planned trip at 15,000-ft vertical sec- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion because the operator was unsure if ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the bottomhole assembly (BHA) could last ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[beyond that distance. The 18,325 -ft lateral ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the 2023 well was drilled in one conven- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tional directional BHA run – this marked a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[company record for Pro Directional for the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[longest lateral drilled in a single run with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[motor and MWD. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“These rigs can only rack back so much ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pipe in the derrick, and with the well in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Compared with a previous well with a 17,935-ft lateral that was drilled in 18 days, a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[new well with an 18,325-ft lateral has been drilled by Latshaw Rig 10 in just 12.5 days. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[This time reduction was primarily enabled by eliminating a planned trip at 15,000 ft. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2019, we felt that a 15,000-ft run in the lat- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[eral was probably all the motor could take, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and we should trip and have a planned ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[trip to change out the bit and the motor,” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mr Christopherson said. “We ended up ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tripping back in, and it takes a long time to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[round-trip from that depth. With the well ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we just drilled, we just decided to keep ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling with the BHA.” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Christopherson said. The total vertical ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and counterclockwise to get weight on bit ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[depths (TVD) for wells drilled in the com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[during sliding operations to work slack-off ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pany’s Midland acreage since entering the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[weight down to the bit. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[region in 2016 have ranged between 5,500 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The operator is currently running three ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and 8,100 ft. The 2023 well had a total ver- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rigs in its Midland Basin acreage – in addi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tical depth 6,794 ft. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion to Latshaw Rig 10, it’s also operating ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“When we started drilling out there, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Latshaw Rigs 18 and 20 in Howard County. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we were drilling a lot of 1.5-mile, 2-mile ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“I find Latshaw very easy to work with,” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[laterals, and we slowly stepped out to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[he said. “They have a rig type that’s very ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drill longer and longer laterals. But it’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[suitable for our style of drilling, particular- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[an area with very shallow TVDs. One of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ly being able to go back on existing pads. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the things that makes these longer later- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The rigs move quickly, and the company ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[als more challenging is that, when you’re ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[has really good hands . They’re the old- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Surge Energy holds more than 100,000 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[looking at around 6,000 ft of total vertical ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[school farm boys who can fix everything ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[net acres in the Midland Basin, with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[depth, we might not have enough weight ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with a wrench. You don’t have to get a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[its core acreage located in Borden and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to push 18,000 ft of pipe to TD the well,” Mr ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[computer tech to fix a lot of stuff, and that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Howard counties. The acreage presents ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Christopherson said. To address this, the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[works really well for us.” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[major drilling challenges because the res- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operator used standard friction reduction ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ervoirs are located in shallow depths, Mr ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tools and rocked the drill pipe clockwise ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Drilling of the most recent well uti- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lized conventional mud motor and mea- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[surement-while-drilling (MWD) technol- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ogy, and it was drilled 100% in zone. Surge ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Energy also reported no lost time due to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[downhole dysfunctions. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The well is expected to be completed and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[brought online in the first half of 2024. DC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[9 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="10">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DEPARTMENTS • ENVIRONMENT, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Apache lends support ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to well pad restoration ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[research in Permian Basin ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[By powering the Askepott jackup from shore via the Martin Linge A platform, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Equinor expects to achieve a 20,000-ton reduction in CO 2 . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[KCA Deutag to electrify Equinor’s Askepott jackup ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[KCA Deutag is set to carry out a major ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[project to electrify Equinor’s jackup rig, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Askepott, in Norway. The electrification ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[project, which will be delivered by KCA ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Deutag’s Kenera business unit, will make ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the Askepott rig the first in Equinor’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[portfolio to be powered from onshore ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[when it is completed in Q4 2024. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Askepott will receive power from high- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[voltage cabling via the Martin Linge A ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[platform . The platform is already sup- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[plied with power from shore through the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[world’s longest alternating current cable ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and is located 42 km west of the Oseberg ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Field on the Norwegian Continental ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Shelf (NCS). ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Based on previous records and pre- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dicted calculations, it is anticipated the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[project will result in a reduction of 20,000 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tons of CO 2 per year compared with run- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ning with traditional diesel generators. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As a key part of the project, Kenera will ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[convert the existing mud treatment room ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on Askepott to an electrical power room ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and install transformers, variable fre- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[quency drives and high-voltage switch ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[boards certified to DNV classification ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[requirements. Kenera will provide a turnkey solution, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[including initial procurement, detailed ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[engineering and installation and com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[missioning, before handing the project ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[over to Equinor and KCA Deutag’s team ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in Norway for the day-to-day operations ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[onboard Askepott. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In a previous energy optimization ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[project, Kenera had deployed CO 2 and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nitrogen oxides reduction technologies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on the Askepott rig, as well as Equinor’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Askeladden rig . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Northern Lights collaboration targets CCS digitalization ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[10 Apache Corp is partnering with the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Texas, to launch a well pad restoration ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[research project. Researchers at BRI and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Texas Native Seeds, a project of the Caesar ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Texas A&M Kingsville, will investigate ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[methods to improve habitat restoration ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[efforts in the Permian Basin . The goal is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to publish a science-backed, best practices ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reclamation document to be shared with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[other Permian operators. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The project will explore how changes ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the industry’s collective approach to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[restoring end-of-service well pads can ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have broader benefits to local biodiversity ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and reunite fragmented habitats. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Typically, at the end of a well’s service ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[life, the well is plugged and the pad is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reseeded and allowed to gradually return ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to a natural condition. This project looks to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[accelerate a more vibrant return to nature ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[by considering alternative soil prepara- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion techniques, adding biochar to improve ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[soil fertility, and incorporating undesirable ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[scrub brush as a vegetative cover to hold ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[soil moisture and discourage grassland ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[animals from foraging on the seeds before ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[they germinate. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Additionally, the project will measure ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[increases in soil carbon to passively ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sequester CO 2 in healthy desert soils and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will support Sul Ross State University stu- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dent research through BRI. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ADNOC, Santos to explore ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[global CCS platform ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ADNOC and Santos have signed a stra- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tegic collaboration agreement (SCA) that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[SLB and the Northern Lights Joint ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ital platform, which was deployed to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[outlines a pathway toward the potential ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Venture have signed an agreement to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[streamline the subsurface workflows of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[development of a joint global carbon man- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[work with Microsoft to optimize integrat- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Northern Lights in 2022. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[agement platform that could support the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ed cloud-based workflows for Northern ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Microsoft will deploy and extend its ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Lights operations. The collaboration ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Azure platform to ensure scalable cloud ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[aims to contribute to the development of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[services that support Northern Lights’ ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Additionally, the SCA encompasses the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[scalable and cost-efficient digital solu- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[business and the SLB digital CCS work- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[advancement of critical carbon capture ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tions for the emerging carbon capture ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[flows. SLB and Microsoft are also collab- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and storage (CCS) technologies and the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and storage (CCS) industry. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[orating to develop an Azure-compliant ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[exploration of a CO 2 shipping and trans- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In the initial phases , SLB will extend ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[open-source data platform that will ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[portation infrastructure network to enable ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the digital CCS workflows and numeri- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[serve as the digital infrastructure for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[heavy-emitting sectors capture, ship and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cal simulation systems on its Delfi dig- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Northern Lights. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[permanently store CO 2 . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[decarbonization journey of customers ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[throughout the Asia Pacific. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="11">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[OIL & GAS MARKETS • DEPARTMENTS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Wood Mackenzie: Continued consolidation, caution ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[around upstream spending among key trends in 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Key themes to watch for in glob- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[al and corporate upstream this year, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Upstream investment by region ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[according to a new report from Wood ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mackenzie, include continued consoli- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dation, increased activity from national ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[600 oil companies (NOCs), reversing decar- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion multiples, easier access to finance ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for larger companies, lower costs and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[better execution are some of the incen- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tives. “For deals to work, they need to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[demonstrate improved ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operational, financial and, for some deals, emis- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sions performance,” said Fraser McKay, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Head of Upstream Analysis for Wood ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mackenzie. NOCs: COP28 has placed greater ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[US$ billion ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[playbooks and an upstream investment ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Consolidation: Higher market valua- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The global land drilling rig market is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Middle East ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Russia and Caspian ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Europe Oceania a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Oceani ambitions in low carbon and emissions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[abatement . However, upstream growth ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will still be on the agenda for most ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[NOCs . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The Middle East will lead much of the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[growth, with ADNOC, Saudi Aramco and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Kuwait Petroleum Corp increasing their ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[spend to meet domestic capacity targets . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[They may also target more merg- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ers and acquisitions . “The NOCs have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reset financial strength and will target ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[M&As to plug strategic gaps in gas, LNG, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[short-cycle oil and international explo- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ration,” said Neivan Boroujerdi, Director, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Corporate Research and NOC Lead . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Decarbonization: Wood Mackenize ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[forecasts production will rise by 3% in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2024, and decarbonization won’t keep ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[up. Upstream scope 1 and 2 emissions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will increase by 12 million tonnes of CO 2 e ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[year-on-year. Shifts in strategic playbooks: There ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will also be continued adjustments to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the strategies of oil and gas compa- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[totaling an estimated 4,559 in 2023, accord- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[4% increase compared with 2022 and 32% ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[compared with the low point of 2020. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[300 Westwood also forecast that global land ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling rig demand will average 4,718 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2000 20 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[units between 2023 and 2027. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[On a regional level, China is forecast to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[100 lead the demand, accounting for 28% of the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2020 2021 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2022 2023 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2024 Source: Wood Mackenzie Lens Upstream ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The Middle East will continue to be a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling hotspot this year, driven by an ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[increase in upstream spending. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[global total. The country will continue to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drill deeper wells in shale gas plays and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[increase activity on mature fields as part ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of efforts to increase domestic production. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In the Middle East and North Africa, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[demand from the Gulf Cooperation Council ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[(GCC) countries is forecast to grow by almost ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[emphasis on sustainability plans. The ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[effect for some NOCs will be bigger ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in 2020 and 2021, with demand for rigs ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[December rig market forecast. That is a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[4000 40 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[0 continuing to recover from the lows seen ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing to Westwood Global Energy Group’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[5000 50 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bonization gains, shifts in strategic ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[plateau. North America ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Asia Latin America ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Africa Westwood forecasts positive ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[outlook for global land rig ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[demand through 2027 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have to grow cash flow if they want ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to grow dividends, rebalancing capital ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[allocation toward investment to main- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tain sustainable cash-generating busi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nesses.” Upstream investments: Operators will ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[remain focused on resilience, sustain- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ability and efficiency. Most will exercise ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[caution in the face of inflation, bottle- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[necks and price uncertainty, with con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fidence undermined by widening OPEC+ ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[production cuts. Global spend in 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will reach just over $500 billion , up just ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2% from 2023 after a rise of 18% over the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[past three years, all in real terms . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“Investment will rise in the Middle ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[East but fall in the US Lower 48,” said Ian ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Thom, Director of Upstream Research. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“The new project pipeline remains ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[healthy, with 45 projects vying to take ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[final investment decision – a potential ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[investment commitment of $170 billion ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to develop 25.5 billion BOE. Around 30 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will proceed in 2024. Many of these will ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[50%. In Latin America, meanwhile, many ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[countries are expected to see declines. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Argentina will be the exception there, with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[development of the Vaca Muerta Shale Basin ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[continuing to support increased demand. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In the US, the outlook is relatively flat, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as operators continue to prioritize capital ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[discipline. In Russia, the outlook remains negative ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[due to the impact of Western sanctions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[stemming from the Ukraine conflict. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[While the overall market outlook is gen- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[erally positive, utilization is still a rela- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tively weak 52%, reflecting the contin- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ued oversupply in the market. The global ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[capable land rig fleet was estimated to be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[approximately 9,000 as of November. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[However, demand for high-horsepower ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rigs (2,000-hp or more), which account for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[less than 1,400 of the total capable rig fleet, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is expected to be strong in regions like ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[China and the GCC countries. Westwood ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[believes there is potential for these regions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to be undersupplied with high-spec rigs in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the later years of the forecast. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nies, driven by sustainability concerns, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[be deepwater discoveries, with the 10 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[And it won’t just be in those regional ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[stakeholder pressures and low valua- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[biggest deepwater oil projects requiring ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[hotspots where high-spec rigs will be in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion multiples . “Investors want a reli- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[$52 billion of investment for recoverable ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[high demand , as operators will continue to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[able, growing base dividend as a reward ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[resources of 5 billion barrels of oil.” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drill more complex wells while aiming to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for rising energy transition risks,” said ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Global economic weakness or a loss ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[maximize value from each well. This will ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Tom Ellacott, Senior Vice President of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of unity in OPEC+ are key investment ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mean more positive outlooks for contrac- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Corporate Research . “But companies will ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wildcards. tors with high-spec rigs in their fleets. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[11 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="12">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ADNOC Drilling looks to digital ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and integrated services solutions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to drive better well deliveries ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Automation, decarbonization and accelerated ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[training programs among other key strategies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to drive efficiencies, prepare for the future ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Abdulrahman Abdulla AlSeiari, CEO, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ADNOC Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY STEPHEN WHITFIELD, SENIOR EDITOR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What do you see as the biggest chal- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lenges that the global drilling industry ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[currently faces? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[With the current situation of the drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[business globally and in the Middle East, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the biggest challenge is the availability ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of talent. It will be quite difficult for the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry to operate without new talent. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The new energies are perhaps more attrac- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tive to them than coming into the drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry. As industry leaders, we need to work on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[attracting talent in our direction. That may ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[require us to show off some of the work ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we’re doing related to technology adoption, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[digitalization and other things that might ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[resonate more with that talent. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What is ADNOC Drilling doing to attract ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[new talent? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We have put a lot of investment into ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[different kinds of programs that allow us ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to secure those people. For UAE nationals, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we have dedicated programs for develop- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment where we’re targeting young people ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for positions within the organization. One ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of these programs is designed specifi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cally for junior students, and they work ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[full time as a derrickhand for a mini- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mum of six months before they move ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on to another position. We train them ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in both theoretical and practical aspects ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of different positions on the rig, and we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[promote them to different positions over ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the course of two to three years. They’re ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[assessed at each position, and we see ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[where they fit. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[12 We have another program for gradu- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ates where we develop their competencies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[until they’re good enough to become full- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fledged drillers – that’s also a three-year ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[program. We’re trying to capitalize on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[these individuals and push them faster ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[up the ladder – not so fast where they ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[don’t gain the knowledge, but fast enough. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We’ve had guys come into our organi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[zation as roughnecks, and after going ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[through this training, they’re in the posi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion of a driller. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[You mentioned showing off the work ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[our industry is doing with technology ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and digitalization. Can you talk about ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[some examples of ADNOC Drilling’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[digital projects? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[One example is our real-time monitor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing center at our headquarters, where we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[see the performance of wells on a daily ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[basis, and we can work with our clients to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[overcome any inefficiencies, or invisible ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lost time, using data. It’s a win-win for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the drilling company and for the opera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tor. We’re both benefitting from using that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[information. We’re also managing some ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of the oilfield service operations through ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the monitoring center. That has allowed ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[us to reduce the number of people needed ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to be onsite because we put our subject ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[matter experts in the center to monitor our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operations. These efforts have been focused primar- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ily on directional drilling and geosteering, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and this has helped us to realize substan- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tial efficiency improvements. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Moving on to the subject of autonomy, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[what do you see as the key barriers to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[achieving fully autonomous drilling? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Do you think that’s something we can ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[realistically achieve? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I think it is something we can achieve, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[but we’re always going to require some ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[integration with the human on the rig. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[When you’re drilling, not every hole is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[going to require the same method, and you ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have to interact with the well, deal with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[certain issues, troubleshoot in some areas. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[When we talk about offshore, there are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[opportunities to automate certain process- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[es. We’ve tried to do this on our jackups in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the past where we automate certain activi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ties. It worked, but somehow it was more ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[inefficient than what we were doing before ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[because of the processes we had to work ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[through. Now, there are other technologies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that we have to work with, particularly with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[moving pipe from the deck to the rig floor – ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that’s something we can look at. With our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[island rigs, we’ve done quite a lot of automa- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion, and it’s been quite successful for us. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The biggest challenge for us has been ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with land rigs. We’ve found automation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[has been quite difficult for us to achieve ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[there, simply because we keep changing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[locations every few weeks from one well ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to another. We have to dismantle the rig, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[move it to another location, assemble it ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[again . We’ve found challenges with short ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[circuits damaging some of the equipment ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on the rig – sometimes we’d have cables ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and fittings not going together, and then, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[say, the top drive would short circuit and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that would cause NPT. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="13">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Nevertheless, I see there is a big oppor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tunity when we’re talking about the whole ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[process of drilling the well. I think it’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[something we can work out, maybe get to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a point where we can have a well drilled ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on autopilot but still have someone around ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[just in case we need to interrupt the pro- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cess or something goes wrong. That’s pos- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sible, and it doesn’t require major technol- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ogy investment. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What are some of your main consid- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[erations when deciding whether to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[invest in a new digital/automation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[technology? Do you see that capital ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[discipline and cost are holding the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry back from achieving more ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[technical advances? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For us to invest in anything, we have to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[look at what we’re going to get out of it. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What is the end result of the investment? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We’re not just going to invest in something ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and not expect to get something out of it. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Look at our investment in remote opera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tions, which is something we can justify ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and which can make our clients happy. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The payback is there. We definitely want ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to go for those types of investments. But ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[it’s a case-by-case basis in terms of look- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing for opportunities for investment. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Beyond remote operations, one area ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[where we’re really looking to invest is in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[decarbonization of the rig, especially the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[newbuilds. If I look at investing in electri- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fication of the rig, there’s a direct benefit: ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We can stop burning diesel. There are two ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[elements to that – one, the net-zero ele- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment, and two, we lower our fuel costs. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Diesel is very expensive these days. Those ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are definitely things that attract us. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I know that ADNOC Drilling has already ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[invested significantly in reducing its ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[carbon footprint over the past few ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[years. What further efforts can the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[world expect to see from your com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pany in the next 2-5 years around ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ESG? The major part for us is the engines that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we use to operate the rig. Electrification ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will be a major solution for that. For the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[new rigs we have coming in, it’s much ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[easier to incorporate the systems needed ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to electrify the rigs into the design from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[While ADNOC Drilling ordered 16 newbuild hybrid power land rigs in 2023, it is also ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[prioritizing the electrification of existing land units like Rig 52. The contractor also ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[continues to seek ways to achieve value through automation on land rigs, which ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can be challenging due to the frequent moves involved in onshore drilling. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[day one. For our existing rigs, there will be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a lot of work required. Those are going to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[be focus areas for us. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Another area we’re looking at is the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[amount of waste that gets created in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling process. How can we manage that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[waste in a way that protects our environ- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment? That could mean thermal treatment ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of the cuttings, reinjection of the cuttings or ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[other different ways for us to look at that. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Right now, we have 30 mobile camps for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[treating wastewater, and because they’re ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[working in remote locations, we have to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[use diesel engines to power them. We’re ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[looking into using solar power for those ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[camps. If that goes successfully, just imag- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ine having all of those camps equipped ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with a solar system. On top of that, we’re ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[working on battery energy storage sys- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tems for our land rigs. So, there’s a com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bination of several different technologies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that we’ll continue to work on in the near ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[future. As we move forward, we’re going to see ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more activity. We’re going to target cer- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tain production capacities that have to be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sustained. As that happens, the amount of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ESG activity within our company is going ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to increase. We want to deliver 25% emis- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sions reduction by 2030 and become net- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[zero by 2045. We have to deliver. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Let’s talk about the rigs some more. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[You’ve already spoken about electrifi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cation and low-carbon systems going ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on the rigs, but what upgrades to the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rig are you considering in order to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[improve drilling efficiency in the near ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[future? To me, that is not just a question of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[efficiency. It’s about improving safety on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the rig and protecting our people. We take ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[safety as one of our major priorities – if ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[there’s an area where we can invest that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[makes people safer, we will not hesitate. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[13 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="14">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[part of the drilling market? Has your ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[work in the drilling services segment ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[changed or enhanced the work you ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[do as a rig contractor? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ADNOC Drilling is continuing to seek ways to automate specific activities on its ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[jackups, such as on the Al Yasat jackup located offshore Abu Dhab i (pictured). One ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[opportunity being considered, for example, is technology that automates the pro- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cess of moving pipe from the deck to the drill floor. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The tools that will make our rigs safer are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[also going to make them more efficient. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We’re looking at how we can better design ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[our rigs to reduce the risks our personnel ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[face, for example, with the management of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[loads. We’re looking at whether solutions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[related to digitalization can help. All of our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rigs are equipped with CCTVs, and we’ve ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[done a pilot with a computer vision sys- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tem where you can identify unsafe situa- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[14 tions on the rig, like if people aren’t wear- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing the right PPE. The system sounds an ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[alarm to the driller so he can stop and deal ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with that. We’re shifting gears with that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[right now, so hopefully soon we will have a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[product that can generate additional value. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ADNOC Drilling began offering inte- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[grated drilling services in 2018. What ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drove that decision to step into this ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[It has definitely helped us. What is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[every client concerned about? They want ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the well to be delivered safely, efficiently ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and cost effectively, and integrating ser- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[vices brings all of that together under one ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[umbrella. When you have lump sum contracts, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[you’re contracting with a company to bring ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the rig in, another company that does the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[directional drilling, and other companies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the process. Everybody wants to hit ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[their targets, and these targets may differ ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a little bit, so you’re going to see some inef- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ficiencies. But when you have integrated ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[solutions under one umbrella and one ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[leader, you have synergy. You can ensure ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[everyone’s on the same page. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Now, drilling companies are in charge of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the safety of everyone else out there on the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rig. Whether that’s the driller’s personnel ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[or third-party service company person- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nel, it’s all the responsibility of the drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[company. To us, offering integrated ser- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[vices improves those efficiencies. That’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[why our market share has been increasing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[continuously. Today, we offer integrated ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[services for around 45-50% of our fleet. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We’re targeting 55-60% within the next ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[two years. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We’ve managed to demonstrate the effi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ciency of integrated services to our clients, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[resulting in savings of around $300 mil- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lion since we started the program. So, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we’re satisfied, although we’re still looking ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to improve. We’re looking at increasing the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[local manufacturing of some of our drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fluids, for instance. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We see this integrated offering as com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[plementary to our drilling business. I’ve ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[worked on the driller side and the operator ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[side, and I think both sides need to work ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[hand in hand to deliver the well. That’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[why I’ve been very much pushing for us to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[develop this integrated solution. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ADNOC Drilling also handles well com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pletions, which are normally not part ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of a drilling contractor’s expertise. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What is your company working on to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[improve completions efficiency in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[coming few years? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="15">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[There’s a lot that can be done in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[completion cycle, provided that we get the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[right technologies. I’ll give you an example ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on the unconventional side. We’ve been ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[seeing a lot of unconventional activity in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the US, Canada and even China, and there’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a learning curve with the technologies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that they’ve gone through, a lot of new ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[technologies they have introduced into the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[process. For us, the question is how can we bring ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[those learnings into the system and short- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[en this learning curve? I don’t need to start ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[at step one. I can jump-start from where ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[they are and take the lessons they’ve ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[learned in those regions. There are a lot of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[good technologies that can be introduced ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for completions that we’ll be working on. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In late 2021, ADNOC Drilling announced ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[an alliance with Helmerich & Payne ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[(H&P). Can you talk about any lessons ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[you might’ve gained from this collab- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[oration so far and what value has ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[been generated? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In 2022, ADNOC Drilling drilled a 50,000-ft well from Umm Al Anbar, one of ADNOC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Offshore’s four artificial islands in the Upper Zakum field offshore Abu Dhabi. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[H&P is well-known for their work in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[unconventional space. They came in as ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[partners, and we’ve purchased eight rigs ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from them so far – we’re probably one of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the first companies to own our own H&P ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[FlexRigs. All of those rigs are operational ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and running very smoothly. We both see ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[value in each other, and we both want ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to take this partnership to the next level. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Definitely, there is more we can work with, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and we will do what we can to make this ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[partnership even more successful. DC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[15 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="16">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Petrobras relying on innovation, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[close supplier collaboration ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to keep cost escalation in check ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Safety and sustainability are also seen as ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[critical priorities as the NOC embraces new ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[well control, emissions reduction technologies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY LINDA HSIEH, EDITOR & PUBLISHER ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[From your role at Petrobras, what do ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[you see as the biggest near-term ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[challenges for the drilling industry? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In the short term, we are faced with the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[challenge of successfully executing our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[entire planned well campaign, given the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[significant number of projects that need ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to be implemented in the upcoming years. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Looking ahead to the medium term, it is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[crucial for us to ensure the economic feasi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bility of these projects, taking into account ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the escalating prices and the high demand ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from the industry. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What impacts has Petrobras seen ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from global inflation or supply chain ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bottlenecks on its drilling campaigns? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The significant impacts are driven by ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the escalating prices, resulting from the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[limited availability of rigs in the market ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and the overall supply chain constraints. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Consequently, we have been proactive- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ly addressing these challenges through ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[innovation, effective performance man- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[agement, and close collaboration with our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[suppliers, with a particular focus on stra- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tegic planning. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Where is Petrobras looking for cost ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reductions? Innovation is key. We have several ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[examples to highlight, including opti- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mized open-hole well configurations, Drill ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Through wellhead systems and new bit ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[technologies. These advancements are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[part of our innovation portfolio, which ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[16 Carlos José do Nascimento Travassos, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Executive Officer for Engineering, Tech- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nology and Innovation, Petrobras ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[aims to increase reliability. This will result ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in higher well productivity, as well as cost ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and emissions reductions, while main- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[taining or improving operational safety ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and integrity. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Considering Petrobras did not get the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[environmental license to drill in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Brazilian Equatorial area, what are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Petrobras’ plans to get this authoriza- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion? What challenges has Petrobras seen ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with rig start-up operations in Brazil? Is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[there closer collaboration with rig ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[contractors to ensure the startup pro- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cess is smooth? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The environmental licensing process ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for the Equatorial Margin is proceeding ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as expected, with the responsible authori- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ties posing relevant questions about our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operations and our team providing clear ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[responses to address them. This exchange ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is a normal part of the process. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The good news is that we have suc- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cessfully obtained the environmental ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[license to initiate drilling activities in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the Potiguar Basin, which is also located ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the Equatorial Margin. The drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operations in the Potiguar Basin began in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[December 2023. Additionally, we are con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fident in our progress toward obtaining ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the environmental license to drill wells ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in other basins of the Equatorial Margin, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[such as the one located in the Amapá ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[coast. Current startup processes have pre- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sented several challenges, such as lack ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of trained personnel, supplier difficulties ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[– manpower and inventory – and under- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[estimation of the challenges related to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[heating up a cold-stacked rig. To overcome ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[this challenge, we are working closely ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with drilling contractors from contract ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[signing through mobilization and up to the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[campaign start, promoting the exchange of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lessons learned and careful planning. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Petrobras is starting up several rigs for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operation in 2024. What is being done ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to make sure that, on the operator ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[side, you will be read y? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Immediately after the contract is signed, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a rig acceptance and start-up group is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[formed. In this group, all relevant stake- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[holders are brought together toward the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[overall goal of having the unit operating ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[safely ASAP. During this phase, discus- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sions and actions related to equipment ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[preparation and readiness, inspections ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and legal and regulatory requirements ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[take place. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What upgrades would you like to see ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling contractors make on their drill- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing rigs? What equipment or technol- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ogies would make your drilling opera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tions easier or better? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[It is common for companies to perform ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[market analysis, projections and prospec- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tive evaluations. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[When it comes to technological aspects, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[there is no doubt that measures to enhance ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[efficiency and safety must be consistent- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ly implemented. Notable advancements ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="17">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[include emissions reduction technologies, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[improved BOP shearing capacity, riserless ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[(open sea) operations, robotics and intel- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ligent rig equipment. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[How is Petrobras using automation/ ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[digital technologies? Can you talk ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[about any projects where they have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[demonstrated valu e? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Digitalization has been a major transfor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mational driver toward higher efficiency ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and safer operations, with widespread ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[adoption throughout the organization, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[both in terms of development and user ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[adoption. One notable innovation is the digital ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[twin for real-time well integrity moni- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[toring (WISLIVE), which has been devel- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[oped through partnerships between the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[company and universities. WISLIVE has ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[significantly contributed to improving ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[safety during operation and production, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[effectively preventing unforeseen integ- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rity issues that could potentially result ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in production interruptions. Currently, all ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pre-salt wells are under continuous moni- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[toring with WISLIVE. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Furthermore, we can also highlight the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[POÇOWEB platform, which enables faster ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and standardized design conception and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[efficient management of ANP (Brazilian ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[National Agency for Petroleum, Natural ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Gas and Biofuels) documents. By automat- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing workflows and integrating specialized ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tools, POÇOWEB improves agility and effi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ciency in these processes. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Are there specific areas of well con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[struction where you think innovation is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[most urgently needed? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Safety, safety and safety. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Safety is more than important. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Embracing the possibilities that technol- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ogy can offer in this field is the way ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[forward. We must leverage technology ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to minimize risk exposure, employ artifi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cial intelligence for making complex and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reliable decisions, and implement digi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tal monitoring and remote operations, all ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with the aim of enhancing reliability, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[integrity and safety. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Regarding BOP technologies, Petrobras ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is leading the market with technical spec- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ifications that enhance the equipment’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shearing capabilities. Additionally, the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reduction of greenhouse gas emissions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is a rapidly increasing demand in our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry, and Petrobras is also foster- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing the market by offering incentives for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reducing diesel consumption in new rig ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[contracts. Our long-term vision also comprises ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[some disruptive concepts, such as reel ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[casing and drilling operations that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[involve alternative rock removal and flex- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ible casing. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What do you see as the biggest chal- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lenges and technology gaps for well ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[completions today? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[One of the key challenges is to enhance ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reliability, which in turn leads to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[improved safety and productivity in pro- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[duction systems. This can be propelled ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[through the development of technologies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[such as electrification and continuous ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[monitoring. Petrobras is transitioning toward all- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[electric systems, incorporating intelligent ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[completion valves and subsurface safety ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[valves to enhance productivity and reli- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ability in full field developments. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Furthermore, continuous monitor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing, such as through fiber optics, has the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[potential to optimize reservoir manage- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment. We know that drilling rigs usually make ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[up a rather small percentage of an ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[E&P’s total emissions. Are drilling rigs a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[key part of Petrobras’ emissions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reduction efforts? What would you like ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to see drilling contractors do to assist ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with your efforts? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We are facing a time where any and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[every reduction is necessary, and it is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[up to all of us to take all possible actions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to decrease emissions. Regardless of the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[scale, every reduction is valuable. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In this way, we have been actively ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[promoting the engagement of drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[contractors in developing innovative ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[technologies to reduce diesel consump- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion, incentivizing them through contract ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[incentives. We firmly believe that col- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[laboration is the most effective path to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[progress. How do you view the importance of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[carbon capture, utilization and stor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[age (CCUS) efforts in the energy tran- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sition? The energy transition process is a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[movement that does not take place homo- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[geneously. In reality, we could talk about ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[energy transitions, which are defined from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[national solutions that respect the history, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[capabilities and resources of each country. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The need for differentiation in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[forms of transition and the time in which ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[it will take place is especially true when ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we think about a fair transition. This ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[requires balancing a transformation of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[energy systems toward low-carbon tech- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nologies, at the lowest possible cost, and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[expanding the population with access to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[energy. Thus, there are several pathways for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the energy transition, and I see CCUS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as one of them. The energy transition ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[requires significant efforts from coun- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tries and companies, and CCUS is part ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of those efforts. Other measures must ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[be taken along this path. Each company ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[must assess its portfolio to operate in a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[safer, more efficient and environmentally ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[responsible manner. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We consider CCUS as a critical enabler ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to meet the government’s and private sec- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tor’s commitment to net-zero targets – ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CCUS requires collaboration among gov- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ernment, industry and the public. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The Petrobras CCUS program, which is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[implemented in the pre-salt fields, was ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[considered in 2021 and 2022 as the larg- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[est in the world in operation and is also ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the pioneer in ultra-deepwaters. Based ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on the lessons learned, new studies are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[being designed to enable cost reduction ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and expand the frontiers of CCUS appli- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cation. It’s clear that Petrobras expects to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reduce emissions in its projects and is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[investing in technologies and initia- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tives for this purpose. Are we only talk- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing about new fields or is there also ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the perspective of emission reduction ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in revitalization projects? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“Petrobras innovations” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[continued on page 21 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[17 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="18">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Scaling up efficiency in a digital ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[future will require better data ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[management, standardization ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Recognizing value of data-driven decision ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[making, Murphy Oil is placing greater focus on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[increasing agility around technology, innovation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Molly Smith, General Manager of Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and Completions, Murphy Oil ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY STEPHEN WHITFIELD, SENIOR EDITOR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What would you say are some of the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[biggest challenges that the global oil ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and gas industry currently faces, and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[how do you think the industry should ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[best address those challenges? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[From Murphy’s perspective, I’d say that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[advancing our strategic priorities is key to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[addressing those challenges. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For one, we need to deliver to our share- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[holders and partners. Our primary focus is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[maximizing free cash flow to alleviate debt ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and return value to our shareholders. In ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the past three years, Murphy has reduced ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[its spud-to-production time by 64%. How ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have we done this? Primarily through an ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operational strategy that centers around ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[applications and tools that allow for the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[real-time sharing of best practices across ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[our organization and with our service ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[partners. That’s been really important to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[us. Our drilling and completions team has ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[also been dedicated to accelerating the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[well delivery process. Our approach to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[execution involves deploying two rigs ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on the same pad, accompanied by frac ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[crews chasing the rigs to put our new ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wells online early. In doing so, we’ve often ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[encountered inconsistent operations, but ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we have addressed that by implementing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[robust measures that mitigate irregular- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ity and improve both reliability and effi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ciency. We also need to explore, and Murphy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is committed to exploration. In addition ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to delivering our developmental well pro- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gram in the US Gulf of Mexico, we drilled ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a discovery in early 2023 and are currently ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[18 drilling another prospect. Our organiza- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tional structure and technical planning ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have allowed for the agility to navigate ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the dynamic regulatory environments that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we’re facing. Murphy’s looking to expand ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[its footprint this year – we’re planning to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[enter Côte d’Ivoire and drill in Vietnam. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Still, there’s a lot more we can be doing. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I believe we need to enhance data captur- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing and quality to highlight inefficiencies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and delays in project delivery, specifically ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[real-time monitoring. That’s going to help ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[us streamline our operations. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We also need to prioritize sustainable ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[practices and adopt proactive measures to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mitigate the impacts of our operations on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the environment. And we’ve got to invest ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in upskilling the workforce. The land- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[scape of the energy industry is constantly ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[evolving, and we need to bridge the gap. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[You mentioned data capturing. The ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry already captures a wealth of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[data from its wells, and with the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[increasing prevalence of digitalization, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the amount of data available has only ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[increased. Do you think the industry is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[making the best use of the data it has ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[at its disposal? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[You’re right – the amount of data is con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[stantly increasing with the modernization ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of devices, the development of IoT devices ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and sensors, as well as the digitalization ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of workflows. This brings demands for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[higher quality and higher quantities of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[data. As an industry, we’ve been focused on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[increasing the quantity of data, but now ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we’re looking to integrate these new tech- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nologies together. We’ve got to shift the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[priority from increasing quantity to solv- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing the challenges involved with integrat- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing these technologies. We need to look at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the lack of standardization with our data, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and we need to create useful reporting ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and analytics structures to generate more ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[value. Looking at what Murphy’s doing, we’re ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[trying to find ways to help our data lead ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to better and more strategic outcomes. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Our drilling and completions team has ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[been collaborating with our subsurface ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and production teams on creating a data ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[infrastructure that’s allowing us to manip- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ulate and analyze large quantities of data ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[by applying an intelligent standardization, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Murphy Unique Well Identifiers (MUWIs). ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[MUWIs have helped us integrate a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[diverse system of data, improving data ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[management and increasing data utiliza- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion across our organization. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[On top of that, our open-source data cul- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ture is allowing us to ask better questions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[about where our data is coming from, how ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we’re using that data, who the stakehold- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ers are within our organization and, most ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[importantly, what the interdependencies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are within the data that lead to whatever ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[insights we can glean. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What do you see as the next steps for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[helping the industry gain better ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[insights from its data? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I think the answer to this question ties ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[into some other issues we’re seeing in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry. Right now, we’re struggling with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="19">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[volatile market pricing, upskilling and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[retaining our workforce, and attracting ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[new and diverse talent. It’s really impor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tant that we have a data strategy that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[addresses these challenges and allows us ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to meet our business objectives. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[With that in mind, I think there are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[three things the industry needs to focus ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on with data. First, standardization needs ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to improve so that we can reduce the time ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we spend engineering data and increase ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the time we spend analyzing data. Second, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we need to invest in innovating machine ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[learning and artificial intelligence meth- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ods so that they can fit with more indus- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[try-centric datasets and workflows. And ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[third, we must improve the efficacy of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[our data-modeling methods so that they ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can give us a more comprehensive under- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[standing of our operations. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Eric Hambly, Executive VP at Murphy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Oil, put it best in some of his townhall ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[presentations: As an industry, if we don’t ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[learn to adapt our strategies toward data, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we’re going to go extinct. There’s no in- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[between. Stepping back to a broader topic , ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we’ve seen the industry significantly ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[increase its adoption of digital tech- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nologies in recent years. What kind of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[value has Murphy Oil derived from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[digitalization? Can you provide some ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[examples of the benefits you’ve seen? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The industry has undergone a shift in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[recent years, with more widespread adop- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion of digital technologies. Murphy is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[working to leverage this digitalization to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[enhance our operations, and that goes ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[back to data: In order to really get the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[most value out of digitalization, we have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to harness the power of our data as best ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as we can. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[My vision for innovation to scale up ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[efficiency in a digital future is reflected ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in many initiatives we have at Murphy, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[such as enabling a procedure to store ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[data under different tags by classifying ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[via fuzzy logic. I also spearheaded an ini- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tiative to digitize our Safety Observation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Program, which has revolutionized our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[safety workflow, in my opinion. The initia- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tive also enabled the digitalization of our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[onshore operations through our Integrated ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Operations Platform program, and I’ve ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[supported the launch of the Murphy Labs ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Apps store, which integrates multidisci- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[plinary data with transparency to drive ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[real-time analytics. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Right now, I’m focused on the inte- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gration of digital solutions like machine ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[learning and data processing. Overseeing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling and completions means that safe- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ty must be at the forefront of any initiative ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we undertake, and our approach ensures ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that we’re all working as one unified ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[team. Do you see the industry embracing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the digital mindset as much as it ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[needs to? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Embracing technology is an ongoing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[process, and leaders across the indus- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[try have started realizing the benefits of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[adopting technology and modernizing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[their processes. At Murphy, we recently ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[implemented a structure to adopt tech- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DRILL DEEPER. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[RUN LONGER. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[SET RECORDS. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Don’t take our word for it - ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the data speaks for itself. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CONNECTION DISCOVER MORE AT ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drillpipe.com/settingrecords D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[www.drillpipe.com 19 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="20">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Jomax Drilling Rigs 1 and 3 are pictured on a Murphy pad in Canada. Murphy’s onshore approach has focused on deploying ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[two rigs on the same pad, along with frac crews employed onsite, to help bring new wells online early. This strategy has been ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[key in helping Murphy accelerate its well delivery process. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nology and drive innovation . Our orga- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nization has become more responsive to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shifts in the digital landscape by adopting ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[machine learning, cloud computing and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[robotic process automation. By adopting ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[all of that, we’re driving value for our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shareholders and producing more sustain- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[able operational practices. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The industry is focused on more data- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[driven decisions and supporting more con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[trolled risk experimentation – which leads ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to incremental improvement – versus the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more transformational changes that come ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from pure innovation. This commitment to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[long-term continuous improvement, with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[regular assessments and refinements to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[our protocols, will help us evolve regard- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[less of the volatility of the pricing markets. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[However, without standardization ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[across the industry, I think we’re going to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[be challenged to embrace the digital land- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[scape in ways that benefit more than just ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[our company. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[There are several examples where we’ve ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[faced this type of challenge. In 2019, we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[created a software program called the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Global Downtime Report that measures ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[NPT related to drilling, completions and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[20 production operations. It was something ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we came up with while we were assessing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[existing workflows and tools across our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[assets at the time. We saw that there was a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[need for a consistent visualization of NPT ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to help us identify areas of concern and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[improve operational downtime. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We had another project where we creat- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ed a digital app for our Safety Observational ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Tool. The tool collects and processes safety ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[observations in real time from our employ- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ees and contractors, analyzes that data ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and converts it into various graphs and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[visuals that can help us identify hazards, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[predict trends, take corrective action and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reinforce desirable behaviors. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The app is available on everyone’s cell ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[phones and tablets, so that can really help ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[us speed up the collection of safety data. If ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[someone spots a hazard in the field, they ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can put that information into the app and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[give specific details like the date and time ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of the hazard, the equipment being used, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the rig, the vendor, the location. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Then there’s the proposed framework ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we have for normalizing tags for com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pletions data with no standard naming ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[convention, categorization or tracking ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[method. We complete our onshore wells ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[through multistage horizontal hydrau- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lic fracturing. A typical well will have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[between 20 to 40 stages, and the data set ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we compile for each well is comprised of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[one Excel file for each stage. Each stage ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[has time series data for around 150 tags. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[With more than 18,000 stages executed, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that’s more than 2.5 million tags. That’s a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lot of tags. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[On top of that, the data quality within ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[each Excel file is inconsistent. Some tags ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are referenced differently from well to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[well, and this can cause large variances ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the data set. That makes it impos- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sible to run any meaningful analytics ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on our completions data. So, we’ve been ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[working to drive adoption of a standard- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ized tagging framework with our service ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[partners. Are there any other innovations you’d ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[like to see around completions? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I would say that we’ve been innovating ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[our completions onshore at Murphy. With ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[respect to unconventionals, the majority of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[our CAPEX lies within completions, and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="21">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we’ve seen large production gains with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[easily executable optimizations. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In 2023, we implemented a real-time ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[perforation optimization that was spurred ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[by the high treating pressures we saw ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[when pumping 90% recycled produced ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[water in our Tupper Montney asset. This ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[led to record production levels for us in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Canada. I’m also optimistic about refracs. We’ve ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[had tremendous success re-entering and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pumping our optimized frac designs on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[parent wells as part of our development ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[program. It’s remarkable that we’re out- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[performing initial production rates on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wells that have been producing for over ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a decade. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Looking to the future, I think there is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more we can do to leverage data from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[existing wells. In the Eagle Ford, we have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nearly 1,000 wells drilled and completed, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[totaling more than 1.925 million ft of lat- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[erals. In some of that footage, we have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[permanent fiber optics installed along the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wellbore – now that’s big data! ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[You’ve spoken in the past about the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[importance of oil and gas evolving in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the ESG space. What steps do you ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[think the industry needs to take to fur- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ther that evolution? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[At Murphy, we’re fortunate to be able ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to experiment with various methods that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[allow us to learn and adapt quickly in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[this space. Building on our successful dis- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[placement of diesel with natural gas on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“Petrobras innovations,” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[continued from page 17 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We are talking about all projects. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Revitalization projects are a great exam- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ple of the energy trilemma: more produc- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion, less emissions and lower costs. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[One highlight is the Marlim field’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[revitalization, featuring the replacement ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of nine platforms with two new FPSOs, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[which started production in May and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[August 2023 and present a combined ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[150,000 BPD oil production capacity and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a 560,000 BPD liquids-processing capac- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ity. both rigs and frac fleets, we’re now pilot- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing additives and even hydrogen in our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[onshore business. When these pilots are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[successful, we can easily translate any ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[learnings into offshore. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[On top of that, we’re continuing to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reduce our water intensity through the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[creation of an onshore water management ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[app that allows transparency of the full ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[water lifecycle. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As an operator, what do you think of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the investments drillers have made in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[emissions reduction technologies like ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[battery energy storage systems? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[There have been strides on that front. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We’re constantly challenging our service ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[partners to innovate within this space, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and we’ll support that innovation through ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a variety of pilot programs and partner- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ships. Regarding battery storage systems, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Murphy is going to begin utilizing those ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in our onshore drilling program starting ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in 2024. Focusing on Scope 1 emissions, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[specifically power management, we feel ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[there are quick wins that are easy to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[implement, and we’re continuing to trial ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[technologies that will further reduce our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[carbon footprint. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The recruitment and retention of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[young talent hat been identified as ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[one of the key factors in helping the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry sustain its future in the long ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[term. What can the industry do better ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Both new FPSOs feature technologies to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reduce emissions, such as high-efficiency ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[burners, nitrogen assistance, cogeneration ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and low fugitive emissions valves. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Additionally, new well construction ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[techniques and designs are being applied, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[whereby fewer sections are drilled and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[less tripping is required, reducing con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[struction time and, thus, contributing to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lower emissions while maintaining safety ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and integrity. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Furthermore, the Marlim revitaliza- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion also includes the decommissioning ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of nine platforms following the green ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[decommissioning model. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to help bring them into the fold and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[keep them here? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I can say from Murphy’s perspective, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[all of our departments, including drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and completions, are invested in work- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[force training, rotational development ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[programs and one-on-one mentorships to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[support our business strategy. Our teams ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are designed to attract and retain top tal- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ent, both in the office and in the field. We ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[want to empower employees at all levels ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and foster leadership opportunities. Now, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we’re embracing technology to automate ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[routine tasks, but this will allow our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[skilled workforce to focus on more com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[plex activities. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In summer 2023, our D&C and subsur- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[face teams collaborated by hiring two ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[data science interns through the Murphy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Internship Program. One participant was ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a PhD student studying medical data sci- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ence. This person had zero energy indus- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[try experience coming in, but in just 10 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[weeks they were able to solve a complex ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[data challenge associated with fiber in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[horizontal onshore wells. I think collabo- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rations like this highlight the potential of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[an important new pipeline of workers. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We need to promote diversity across all ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[backgrounds, including but not limited ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to field of study and experience, gender, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[race, ethnicity and more. Diversity is key ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to helping us innovate and solve complex ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[problems, so we’re constantly working to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bring talented individuals into our indus- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[try and retain them. DC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Under that model, the focus is on gen- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[erating value and promoting a circular ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[economy, safety and respect for people ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and the environment, aligned with the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[best ESG practices in the global industry. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[It also involves the abandonment of 90 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wells and 1,200 km of pipelines, bringing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[improvements in efficiency and reliabil- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ity. As a result of the reduction in the num- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ber of platforms in operation in both fields ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and the implementation of new technolo- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gies, there will be a 55% reduction of green- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[house gas emissions per year from station- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ary production units. DC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[21 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="22">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Skilled workforce, innovations ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in drilling engineering among ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Aramco’s key tenets for success ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[On drilling rigs, the NOC would like to see ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more use of advanced robotics and integration ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of automation solutions into control systems ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Najeeb Al-Abdulrahman, VP and Chief ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Drilling Engineer, Saudi Aramco ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY LINDA HSIEH, EDITOR & PUBLISHER ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[From your perspective as Vice Presi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dent and Chief Drilling Engineer for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Saudi Aramco, what do you see as the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[biggest near-term challenges for the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling industr y? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As we try to meet global energy demand, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[there is a great and immediate need for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[new talent as the market conditions have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[improved and operations are scaling up. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As we deploy new cutting-edge technolo- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gies, it is imperative that we have a skilled ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[workforce that can utilize such technolo- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gies and assist Aramco in sustaining its ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[position as a global energy leader. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[How can innovations in drilling engi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[neering help the industry to achieve ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[better drilling performance and better ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wells? Can you talk about what Saudi ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Aramco is doing to improve its drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[engineering? Innovation in drilling engineering is a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[key factor toward enhancing performance ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and delivering quality wells. As new tech- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nologies are introduced and deployed, they ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can minimize human error, reduce cost, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[automate repetitive tasks, enhance safety, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[optimize reservoir performance, and real- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ize countless other tangible benefits that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[holistically contribute toward achieving ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[better performance. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As for what we are doing to improve, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Saudi Aramco Drilling Engineering has ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a team of highly skilled, well-motivated ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[talents, both local and expats, that drive a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[culture of excellence. Development of our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[people is one of our key success factors. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[22 We consider ourselves industry leaders ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[so we go the extra mile. You see in-house ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[developed Aramco SMEs on the board ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of industry bodies such as the American ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Petroleum Institute involved in major deci- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sion making that steer the industry. We ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pay attention to quality in our well design ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and construction so that our wells can last ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[long, which ties into our drive for sustain- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ability. We also pay careful attention to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the environment with a drive toward zero ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[impact, which also ties to the company’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and Kingdom’s Net-Zero vision. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Additionally, we leverage quality pro- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cess such as Operational Excellence and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are in the forefront of innovation and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[technology deployment. This is reflected ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the amount of intellectual property and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[granted patents we have achieved over the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[years, many of which are in the process of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[being commercialized. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[An example is the retrievable ESP sys- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tem, JumpStart, that we developed from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[concept to reality. We have several cus- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tomized solutions developed in-house, in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[addition to extensive collaboration with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry technology giants. Our optimiza- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion process includes drilling real-time ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[monitoring, prediction and mitigation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tools that are built on AI, robotics and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Big Data platforms – all of which help to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[enhance the safety and efficiency of our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operations. Where will Saudi Aramco be looking in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the next one to two years for cost ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reductions in its drilling programs, now ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that rising rig demand is pushing up ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dayrates and there is inflation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[throughout the supply chain? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I would like to emphasize that we have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[always strived to optimize our well plan- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ning processes and drilling programs. In ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the next one to two years, we intend to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[continue with enhancing our drilling pro- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[grams through implementation of new ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[technologies and AI solutions aimed at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[helping us improve our well quality and to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[optimize resources. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[When you spoke at the IADC Advanced ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Rig Technology Conference in Sep- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tember 2023, you mentioned that you ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[place great focus on collaborative ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[team building. Can you talk about that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[approach ? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In our industry, collaboration is the cor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nerstone of progress. Our approach is to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[break the silos by having partnerships ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with service providers, rig contractors and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rig manufacturers to share knowledge and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[expertise, and work together to create new ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[opportunities for them in order to reach ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[win-win situations. One example is the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JumpStart project mentioned earlier and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the patents commercialization efforts we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are pursuing. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The Saudi Arabian market is among ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[few places in the world where we are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[seeing a significant rig newbuild pro- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gra m. What innovations would you like ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to see on these newbuilds to make ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[them “rigs of the future”? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="23">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Building “rigs of the future” is something ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that all of us aspire to in Saudi Aramco, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and we are working with our partners to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[achieve that. For the newbuilds, I would ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[like to see automation systems and rig ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[robotics, and smart power management ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[systems to help reduce carbon emissions. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Are there any upgrades that you ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[would like to see drilling contractors ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[make on existing rigs? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Start with low-hanging fruit such as ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[process automation. As mentioned ear- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lier, I would like to see the existing global ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rig fleet being retrofitted with automation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[systems that are integrated with the rig ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[control system to automate drilling and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[connection activities, along with rig robot- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ics, to ultimately improve performance, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[enhance safety and ensure consistency. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[A lot of new AI and machine learning- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[based systems have been developed ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to help improve the efficiency of well ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[planning and drilling operations. What ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[do you see as the biggest roadblocks ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to the widescale implementation of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[these technologies ? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I believe that rig compatibility with new ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[AI and machine learning-based systems is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[one of the main roadblocks to implement ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and scale up these technologies. This also ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[applies to vendor-to-vendor system inte- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gration challenges. The industry needs to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[adopt new standards for integrating digital ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[systems to speed up the adoption of these ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[novel AI and machine learning-based sys- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tems. AI and rigs automation will comple- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment each other to achieve the best of all. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Can you talk about any projects in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[which automation and digital tech- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nologies have demonstrated value in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[your work at Saudi Aramco? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I can highlight two projects that have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[had an impact and demonstrated value in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[our operations in Saudi Aramco. The first ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[one is drilling automation systems; these ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[systems have been deployed on some of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[our rigs and enabled us to drill better, safer ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and more consistent wells. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In addition, we have a digital stuck pipe ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[prevention solution, which was developed ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Saudi Aramco believes the integration of AI and machine learning-based tech- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nologies with the rig control system, as well as vendor-to-vendor system integra- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion, remains a significant challenge. Having standards for such integration could ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[help to speed up the adoption of those new technologies across the industry. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in-house to have real-time monitoring and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[insights of downhole conditions, which ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will improve the decision-making process ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to avert possible stuck-pipe incidents. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[If we look at well completions specifi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cally, what do you see as the biggest ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[challenges and technology gaps? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The biggest challenge is the time it ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[takes to deploy completion systems with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[smart technologies in deeper extended- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reach wells and the challenge to de-com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[plete them in case of failures. A good ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[example of this is the recent installation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of modified level 5 completion in some of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[our fields with dual PDHMS (permanent ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[downhole monitoring systems) and ESPs. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[How can drilling contractors assist ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with your carbon reduction efforts? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We would like drilling contractors to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[adopt the latest technologies for measur- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing and controlling carbon emissions. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[This can be done through deploying smart ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[power management systems, proven fuel ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[catalysts and energy storage systems. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What is your vision for the future of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling, say, 20 years from now? How ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[would you like to see drilling engineer- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing change during that time? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In the coming two decades, the drill- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing industry will undergo a revolution- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ary transformation, where foundational ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[principles will merge seamlessly with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pioneering technologies. The core values ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of safety, environmental stewardship and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operational efficiency will remain para- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mount, while cutting-edge innovations ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[such as automation, robotics, AI and ener- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gy integration will revolutionize the drill- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing industry. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As for drilling engineering, I see this ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[domain evolving significantly, where engi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[neers will embrace new well completion ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[methods utilizing non-metallic materials, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[harnessing advanced real-time simulation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tools and embracing autonomous drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[practices. Further, as the industry transi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tions into the digital era, our industry ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[must cultivate an environment conducive ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to attracting and retaining diverse talent, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[focusing on long-term career growth for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[professionals with strong STEM skill sets. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The blend of enabled workforce, vision- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ary leadership and global responsibility ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will define the future of drilling. DC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JumpStart is a trademark of Saudi Aramco. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[23 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="24">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Drillers seek ways to maintain ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[capital discipline while still ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[investing to keep rigs competitive ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Despite market optimism, drilling contractors ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[remain wary of focusing on growth when ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[it doesn’t translate into shareholder return ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Dan Hoffarth, CEO, Citadel Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY STEPHEN WHITFIELD, SENIOR EDITOR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What would you say are some of the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[biggest challenges the industry faces ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the unconventional space, and how ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[do you think the industry should ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[address those challenges? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I think the biggest critical issues for us ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are still going to be focused on utilization ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and people, but I believe that 2024 will be a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[better year than 2023 – or at least, the back ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[half of 2023. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I think we need to go back and look at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[what happened in 2022 and 2023, so we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can figure out where things need to go in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[order to have a more desirable outcome ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in 2024. What we’ve seen is decreased ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gas prices really hitting in places like the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Haynesville, the SCOOP/STACK and the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Eagle Ford. That drop in rig count has a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[direct impact on everyone’s books. It’s a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[major key indicator to understand that we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[need both consistent gas and oil prices for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling contractors to have a decent busi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ness model. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We have a bunch of super-spec rigs sit- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ting on the sidelines because of the drop in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gas prices. That creates market pressure, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[which creates pricing pressure and a loss ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of jobs. You’ve got 15 to 18 people per rig, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and then you add on the associated servic- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[es, so we’re talking around 150 jobs per rig. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Where do those people go during a period ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of inactivity, and what does the industry ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[do when gas prices recover? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I believe they will recover in 2024, and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we’re going to have to go back to the mar- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ket and try to find some of these people. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[A lot of them will say they’re not coming ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[back to the oilfield because they found ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[another pretty decent job without the ups ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and downs. As an industry, how do we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[continue to fight the cyclical nature of our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[business where we are putting people to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[work and then letting them go? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I guess the cycles are just part of the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry, aren’t they? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[24 I mean, that is the industry. We have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to be able to manage our assets based ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on a cyclical outcome. We’ve never had ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[anything other than cycles in the drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[space. More than just people, that also cre- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ates challenges around equipment. How ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are we going to meet operators’ equipment ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[needs when we don’t have a confident ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[view on utilization? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[More importantly, how can drilling con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tractors be expected to invest the capital ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[required to improve and maintain top level ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[equipment if there is not a clear path to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[both payout and profitability? That’s going ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to continue to be another major challenge ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for the industry as we move forward. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[You mentioned the super-spec rigs. As ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gas prices go back up, how important ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will it be for drillers to have those rigs ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ready to work quickly? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The best rigs in the market get picked ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[first every time. Super-spec rigs have prov- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[en time over time to create the greatest ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[degree of production per day of any unit of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[machine. To me, that’s paramount. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For any operator, if you have that choice, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[you’re going to want the higher pump ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[capacities. You’re going to want the high- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[er torque capacities out of the top drive. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[You’re going to want the greater racking ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[capacity. You’re going to want to have a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[moving system, a handling system for the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BOPs and the most advanced fluid han- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dling systems. And then you’re going to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[want all the digital applications. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[When we take a look at production per ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rig year over year, and why we need fewer ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rigs to produce more than we did 10 years ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ago, it’s the quality of the equipment. It’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[also important to look at the quality of the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[people, the quality of the digital assets, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the quality of the engineering – but none ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of that can shine if you don’t have the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[machine behind you that has the capacity. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[You cannot race a Formula One race in a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[stock car. It doesn’t matter who your driver ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is, or who your pit crew is, or what the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[track is. You will finish last in every race. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For the past few years, we’ve seen a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[focus on capital discipline from E&Ps, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and that’s had a trickle-down effect ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[throughout the industry. Even now, the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[most recent quarterly reports from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[E&Ps have touted returning cash to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shareholders. As we see a gas price ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[recovery, do you think capital disci- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pline will still be the MO for the industry ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[moving forward? If so, how does that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[affect your business? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We need to maintain a balance with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[regards to every part of our business. On ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[one pillar, we need to have balance with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[our equipment – keeping our equipment ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[at a super-spec level and in top shape. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[On another pillar, we need high-quality ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="25">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[employees who can thrive in this busi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ness. The leadership team is the third ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pillar – having leaders who can see where ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the business needs to go and how to evolve ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that business. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[But then there’s a fourth pillar, which ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is shareholder health. If we don’t have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shareholder health, I don’t see how you can ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[succeed. The shareholder requires a mar- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gin on their investment. I can’t think of a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shareholder out there in a personal or cor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[porate capacity that will knowingly invest ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in any company without the expectation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of a full return on that investment plus a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[premium. There’s a very basic expectation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of getting a return on your investment, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and that’s rarely happening, if at all, in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[contractor space. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I am also not saying it’s been happening ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that much at the operator level either, but ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in today’s world when the typical inves- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tor makes a choice to invest in the energy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[space and they can choose between a drill- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing contractor or an oil company – rarely ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[do they choose the driller. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[It’s always great to focus on growth, but ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[if that growth isn’t translating into share- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[holder return, you need a different model. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[So, I think capital discipline is going to be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a continued focus for everyone moving ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[forward. From a spending perspective, how do ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[you maintain the balance of being ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[disciplined while still investing in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[equipment that keeps your rigs com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[petitive? Are there any areas where ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[you see a bigger bang for the buck? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The number of newbuild rigs have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[always been the canary in the coal mine ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[telling us whether we’re successful in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[maintaining that balance. We aren’t seeing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a single North American land-based drill- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing contractor building new rigs right now, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and they haven’t for years. Obviously, that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[balance was not there, and it continues to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[not be there. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What are our options, then? For those ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of us that are in the super-spec rig space, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the key priority is maintaining super-spec ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[status. We went from the three-generator ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to the four-generator models. We’re con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tinuing to increase racking capacity. Drill ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pipe selection has continued to evolve. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We’re looking to increase pumping capaci- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Citadel is working to incorporate more automatio n into its rig fleet, including on Rig ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[5 (pictured ), especially in terms of turning manual tasks into mechanized pro- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cesses. The company has also invested in its own operating system to allow for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more flexibility and better integration with digital technologies. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ties across the board. And then we started ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[looking at all the areas where we can ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[become more streamlined in our opera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tions. On top of that, we’re continuing to drill ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wells faster and faster. For Citadel Drilling, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[between 2019 and 2022 we drilled an extra ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[37 wells year-over-year on average. The ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[average days per well went down from 23.8 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[days to 18.4 days in that time frame. Our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[total footage drilled in 2022 was 320,000 ft ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[higher than what we drilled in 2019. We’re ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[not staying flat. We’re still finding ways to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[increase production. The equipment is not ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[taking a break, so you have to take main- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tenance extremely seriously. In 2022, we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[worked our rigs every single day. In 2023, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the only days our rigs didn’t work was dur- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing the recertification process. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[However, going back to what I said ear- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lier, shareholder value has to stay in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[forefront. We can’t spend every dime we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have on upgrades. We have to generate ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[returns. What are you doing on the digitaliza- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion front? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[One of our primary focuses has been ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the integration of digital products and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[equipment. We didn’t know what that was ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[going to look like, but we had to have the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[flexibility to go down those roads. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[So, owning our own operating system ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[was a key element for us to maintain that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[flexibility. We’re one of the few drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[contractors that has its own software for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[an operating system. On one side, we focus ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on programmable drilling features, such ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as auto driller, MPD, ECD management ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[services, as well as other inter-program ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[things like auto-downlink for RSS tools, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[auto trip, auto pipe working features and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[anti-collision. On the other side of digital assets, we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[partner with companies that excel in that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[space and integrate that technology into ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[our rigs to ensure we provide our clients ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with the most modern and optimal solu- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion the industry has to offer. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We’re seeing an increase in lateral ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lengths in unconventional wells, and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[now three-mile laterals are becoming ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more commonplace. Is today’s rig ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[equipment capable of consistently ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling these longer laterals, or are we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[going to need upgrades? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I think we can continue to push the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[thresholds there, but we’re always going to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[find a new weak link in that equation. At ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[one point, with the three-mile lateral, the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[weak link was the drill bit. Then it was ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the fluids that we were using to maintain ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wellbore stability. Then it became a ques- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion of whether we can effectively frac at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that distance. And we started checking off ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[those things. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[So, then it comes back to the drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rig. What’s the full capacity of the der- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rick? Can we rack the vertical depth plus ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[three miles of 5½-in. drill pipe in that der- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rick? I do believe there is a potential need ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the future to have new substructures, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[new derricks and new racking boards ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with additional capacity. Pump pressure ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[continues to be important, and pressure ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[25 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="26">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[requirements are almost definitely going ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to go up. We’re also starting to look at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[whether to evolve from 10,000-lb to 15,000- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lb pressure-pumping systems and what ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[type of substantial upgrade to drilling rigs ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that would require. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Can this all be done? Absolutely. Is there ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a cost to it? Absolutely. Is there an expect- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ed return on that cost? Absolutely. I don’t ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[believe drilling contractors can continue ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to foot the bill for these upgrades without ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a return to their shareholders being an ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[outcome of that equation. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Are drilling contractors and operators ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[aligned on who should bear what ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[costs, or is that a conversation the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry still needs to have? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[It depends on what level that conversa- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion is happening, and which companies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are having that conversation. Everybody ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[has a different view. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[This is a conversation that requires ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a high degree of emotional intelligence. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[This isn’t about being adversarial. The ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operator’s shareholders can easily be the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[same shareholders that drilling contrac- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tors have, and if that shareholder doesn’t ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[get the same degree or likelihood of return ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on their investment, in both places, they’re ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[going to choose one company to back. As ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[soon as one of those companies runs out of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shareholders, we become challenged with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the inability to create the outcome desired ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[by the other company. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[This is where you go back to the disci- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pline of those companies. Some compa- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nies are going to have that discipline, and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[others may just need the cash flow to keep ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[working so they might make a different ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[decision. In the long run, the companies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that maintain capital discipline and don’t ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[take an emotional approach to these con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[versations are going to be the ones left ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[standing. Going back to digitalization, what’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[your opinion on whether the industry is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[making the best use of its data ? If you ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[don’t think that’s happening, how can ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the industry get better at that? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I think the industry is still trying to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[figure out how to scrub the data for value, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[or what is relevant data they should be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[26 looking at. There are also legal challenges ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[around data ownership. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[One of the big disconnects I see of new ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[technology being brought to market – you ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can maybe call it a criticism – is the con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dition under which it was developed. Was ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[it developed under a condition where you ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have good relevant data, where you truly ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[understand the dynamics of the prod- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[uct and the operator’s needs combined ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with the drilling contractor’s needs? That’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[where you see a lot of the shortcomings ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in data and data transfers. How does this ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[data directly translate to the tools we’re ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[using? As we go up the ladder, how do ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we integrate that tool onto the drilling rig ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[or into the process to generate a desired ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[outcome? Another disconnect I see is that many of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[these companies developing data-reliant ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tools don’t own drilling rigs and never ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have. Without that level of understanding ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of the day-to-day operation of the drill- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing rig, how do you know what to imple- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment? Many times, a tool will look like ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a great plug-and-play model in the shop, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[but when you get to the rig site, who actu- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ally attaches it to the drilling rig? Who’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[responsible for the maintenance of that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[product? Where is the labor going to come ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from to manage it? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The drilling rig moves a lot – different ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sizes of rigs that move from every few ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[days to once or twice a month. When we’re ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[moving the rig, who becomes responsible ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for the third-party equipment? How do we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bring your tool down? How do we bring it ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[up? Where does it sit? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As a drilling contractor, we see hun- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dreds of service companies approach the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[E&P company with a doghouse proposi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion, and we’re left on the outside getting ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[something handed to us that we have to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[use. And yet, we weren’t a part of the con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[versation. That makes it really difficult for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that digital asset or new technology to be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[adopted with open arms. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[That begs a question about standard- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[izing digital interfaces. Citadel has its ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[own OS, and you’re having to work ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with all these different systems, some ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of them coming from the E&Ps with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[little input from you. Do you think the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry is embracing some kind of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[standardization? If not, do you see ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that as a problem? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[It is a problem, but it can also be a dif- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ferentiator for a company. We’re in a free ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[market. We don’t have standardization ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[across drilling rigs. There are different ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pumps on the market that we can all buy. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[There are different top drives, different ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drill pipe. We get to make a free choice in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[regard to how we see our future play out, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and that’s our bet to make. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[If we had built the same rig that any ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of the most respected drilling contractors ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the industry had, they would beat us ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[senseless just with the volume of rigs that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[they have versus what we have. I can’t ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[come to the market with the same product; ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I have to have a differentiated product and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[service. This is a competitive industry, and I ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[think that’s one of the things that keeps ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the industry moving forward the fastest. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Standardization might seem like a really ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[great concept to the digital provider, but to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the smaller companies that are trying to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[get in, it limits our ability to exist or grow. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Standardization is the fastest way to get ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[something adopted by the most amount of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[people, but it cuts out new ideas, concepts ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and new entrants to the market. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As automated systems become more ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[prevalent on the rig, where do you see ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the driller fitting in? Do you share the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[view that automation is there to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[enhance the role of the human on the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rig, not replace him or her entirely? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I share the view that continuing to trans- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fer tasks from human hands to more of a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mechanized or semi-automated process is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a good thing. Sequenced tasks, like a drill ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pipe connection, are the low-hanging fruit. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[However, I do see humans continuing to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[play an extremely critical role on the rig. It ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[goes back to that disconnect around inte- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gration with the rig – many of the compa- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nies bringing in high-level automation to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the market don’t own or operate drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rigs. Is it now another screen that has to be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[added because it doesn’t work inside the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rig’s OS, and the driller now has one more ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[thing to be trained on. If the result is to just ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bolt on another operating system, this now ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[becomes an additional risk. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="27">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Every sales pitch says, “plug and play ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and walk away.” That’s great, but we then ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have to be able to ensure we can quickly ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[develop competency among our drillers ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to use that equipment. You can’t expect ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the drillers to run everybody’s equipment, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and that seems to be the expectation right ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[now. We’re putting the driller into sensory ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[overload. The goal with automation is to create ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a more consistent outcome, but if we are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[creating task saturation, then we’ll actu- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ally create the opposite outcome. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Citadel offers fully automated man- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[aged pressure drilling (MPD) systems ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[through your subsidiary, Opla Energy. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What value do you think MPD will pro- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[vide for the industry in the near-term ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[future? I look at MPD in two specific categories, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and they’re opposite of each other. One ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is kick control and one is performance- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[based. On the kick control side, this is a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cautionary equipment measure to just take ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on flow when we don’t want it to happen. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[This is a very large slice of the business ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[out there today. The future of MPD, to me, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is performance-based, and I don’t even ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[know if you call it managed pressure any- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more. It’s a performance-based business ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that leverages managed pressure drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[techniques. I see these as two completely sepa- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rate business segments. One is merely a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[flow control device that is utilized when ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[problems are encountered. The other is a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sophisticated combination of equipment, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[software and behind-the-scenes engineer- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing that has a primary focus on well ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[optimization and performance. With per- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[formance-based MPD, the goal is increased ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ROP, decreased fluid losses, decreased fluid ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[costs, improved hole stability, and repeat- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ability from well to well. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We’re moving toward a greater adoption ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rate of this equipment and, as the opera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tors learn more about it, they’re going to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[see the need for this to evolve their well- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bore delivery programs in a more efficient ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[manner, as well. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The industry has seen a lot more focus ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on reducing rigs’ carbon emissions in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[recent years. What is your view on this, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and has the energy transition had any ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[impact on Citadel’s business? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[It’s had a very big impact. Being a pri- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[vate company, we have private sharehold- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ers. Private equity sponsorship is depen- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dent on competing for capital, and that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[capital comes from global sources, which ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[demand you invest in an aligned sustain- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ability approach. If you don’t do that, you’re ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[not going to have access to that capital. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Access to capital, combined with it being ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the right thing to do, is why sustainability ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is a big part of our business. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The trend of operator consolidation is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[also going to impact us. One example is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Oxy’s acquisition of CrownQuest (a sub- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sidiary of CrownRock) in December. While ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[both companies have been focused on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[environmental performance and sustain- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ability efforts, you now have two compa- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nies coming together under one entity and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[an even higher expectation on sustain- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ability due to the public lens and nature of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[such a large deal. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As a drilling contractor, we have to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[take these types of consolidations into ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[account and create that focus on sustain- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ability. This goes back to what I said about ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[maintaining the super-spec rig, including ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[investing in dual-fuel engines. If you don’t ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have them, you’re out, or you’re going to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have to buy them. That’s going to be a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[price tag to entry. By our calculation, we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[saw a 54% reduction in CO 2 generated per ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[foot drilled by utilizing dual fuel compared ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with diesel engines from 2019 to 2022. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[While we have had all engines with dual- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fuel capabilities on all of our rigs from day ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[one, we are now reaping the benefits of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[this decision. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Speed is another tool we have. For a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling contractor, continuous improve- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment on ROP is going to be important. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[That goes back to my point about having ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the best equipment that’s going to drill the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fastest, and having the best people who are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[going to drill the fastest. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[By reducing the time to drill per well, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we may be generating the same emissions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[over the course of a fully utilized year, but ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we create more wells. If we increase the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[level of performance, we also increase our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sustainability. The end result is a higher ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[well production count per emissions out- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[put year over year. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The young workers coming up have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[placed an increased value on sus- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tainability. How do you reach out to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[people who have serious concerns ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[about the industry’s role in climate ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[change? I have those concerns. I had those 30 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[years ago. Honestly, I think the best con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[duit to change is not to fight that system, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[but to join that system and become a part ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of the improvement from within. We need ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[this energy, and this energy is going to be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[produced regardless of who does it. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[My pitch to the young people is, if you ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have a moral connection to this and you ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[want to improve it, the best place to do it is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[inside these companies. Become a drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[engineer that has the focus on creating the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lowest carbon footprint per well possible. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Become a superintendent in a drilling con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tractor company and ensure the moral ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[performance of that company. That can ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[only happen from the inside. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What are your main concerns around ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rig safety right now? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[To me, it’s the level of care. I’ll go back ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[30 years to the early parts of my career. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Where did we get our roughnecks from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[then? Well, they were brothers and cous- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ins, they were from the family two farms ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[over, they were a best friend of somebody ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that they knew. We didn’t have formalized ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[HR departments. A lot of times, the drill- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ers and rig managers were responsible ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for staffing their own rigs. You invested ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[your time in this person to keep them safe ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[because you had a moral obligation to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[them, their family and your family. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[To me, that’s still the primary way for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[us to impact safety around a rig. It is a per- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sonal target. It is a personal goal. It is about ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[people. We can add on all the wearable ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[technology, and we can have the comput- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[er-generated training programs, but those ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are all just tools to assist. Creating safety ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is just a deep amount of caring for people, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and that has to be a cultural achievement ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of your company. To me, that’s where the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry has failed the most, and that’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[where the industry could increase our per- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[formance to the greatest degree. We’ve got ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to continue to care for each other at a level ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[like we’re related. DC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[27 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="28">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Old views of drilling, contracting ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[must be shed so industry can ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drive meaningful improvements ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[By adopting new contracting strategies, as well ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as automation and AI, ARO Drilling seeks to push ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for true step changes in rig performance ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mohamed Hegazi, CEO, ARO Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY LINDA HSIEH, EDITOR & PUBLISHER ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[From your perspective as CEO of ARO ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Drilling, what do you see as the big- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gest near-term challenges for the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling industry, both for your com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pany specifically and for the global ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling industry? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I think the challenge is twofold. The ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[first is around how the public perception ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of our industry is changing as people are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[increasingly exposed to social media and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[messaging from different bodies, whether ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[government or non-government, on cli- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mate change and sustainability. That will ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have an impact on our industry. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Second is attracting and retaining tal- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ent. We need to make sure that people ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[understand that this industry has both ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[longevity and stability, because hydrocar- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bons will be a part of the world’s energy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mix for many years to come. The energy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[transition is not an on/off switch ; it will ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[be gradual . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I think that operators and even compa- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nies like ARO Drilling have to start reach- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing out to the general public, like regular ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[commercial brands. Instead of thinking ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[about being B2B (business to business) ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[or B2C (business to consumers), we have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to think in terms of B2H – business to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[humans . We have to try and make sure ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[people understand how our industry con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tributes to the world and how we’re taking ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[steps to help with the transition . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Is workforce attraction and retention ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as difficult a challenge in the Middle ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[East as it is in other parts of the world? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[28 It is definitely becoming increasingly ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more difficult to attract top talent . Here in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for example, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[there is an ongoing transformation, and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[many new sectors are being built up, such ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as financial services, media and tourism. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[That’s putting a lot of pressure on the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[labor market, even though those sectors ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[aren’t necessarily recruiting people with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the same technical expertise as we are. But ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[our industry needs more than just engi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[neers – we also need people in support ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[functions throughout the supply chain . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For ARO Drilling, we have committed to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[building 20 new jackups in the Kingdom ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with our partner, International Maritime ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Industries (IMI) in Ras al Khair . This is a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[multibillion-dollar project, and it’s almost ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[like building a new city. You need to create ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a whole new supply chain ecosystem that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[encompasses logistics, medical services, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[food & catering, training – everything you ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can think of. This is creating tremendous ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[job opportunities. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As you mentioned, ARO Drilling is in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[early stages of a significant newbuild ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[program, which is rare in the industry ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[today. Since you have that opportu- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nity to build new jackups, can you talk ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[about how ARO intends to evolve rig ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[design and/or technologies to create ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“rigs of the future”? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Because the IMI yard i s a brand-new ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shipyard, it’s going to have a learning ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[curve. For our first two rigs – the Kingdom ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[1, delivered in November, and Kingdom 2, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[scheduled for delivery in March – we’ve ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[opted for designs that are modern, yet have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[high compatibility with existing rigs . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As we kick off Kingdom 3 and Kingdom ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[4, we’ll be looking at different designs to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[make the rigs even more mobile and more ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[environmentally friendly . We’ll be work- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing to adopt a lot more emerging and new ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[technologies around automation, the inte- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gration of data and artificial intelligence. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[B y the time we reach midway through this ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[project, we want to be building rigs that are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[not only fit for Saudi Aramco’s operations ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[but that also embody all the newest tech- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nology advances available on the market. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As you mentioned, this is really the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[only major offshore newbuild project hap- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pening in the world today. I think we’ll ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[definitely attract a lot of the innovators to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[contribute to it. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I would imagine you’re already seeing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a lot of companies wanting to enter ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[this market. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Yes, we have met with a lot of com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[panies that want to be a part of this big ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ecosystem being built up in the Kingdom. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[However, I see that a lot of them have not ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[taken the decision to set up their business ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[here in Saudi Arabia. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I think that, if you believe in this mar- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ket , you need to be here physically. This ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[kind of business cannot be done remotely. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[There’s a very high level of involvement ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[required, from engineering to planning to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[having a very detailed supply chain loop . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For companies that want to be involved, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[they need to come and physically be here ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in Saudi Arabia. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="29">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The industry has been through signifi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cant volatility over the past decade. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For a company like ARO, which is in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[heart of one of the busiest and most ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dynamic markets in the drilling indus- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[try, what are your considerations when ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[balancing between investing for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[growth and exercising capital disci- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pline? The nature of our newbuild project is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that it’s a two-way commitment: It’s a very ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CAPEX-intensive project, and it’s going ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to take place over a long period of time. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Projects like this – you cannot switch ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[them on and off . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[To circumvent the challenges you typi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cally see associated with the up and down ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[business cycles, we engaged in offtake ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[agreements between ARO as a client to the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ship builder, and Saudi Aramco with ARO ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as the client to us . Basically, that means ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we commit to building the rigs, and Saudi ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Aramco commits to contracting them. In a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[way, this Kingdom series is shielded from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[any potential ups and downs in the mar- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ket, so it gives us the bandwidth to focus ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on innovation rather than having to spend ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[time on opportunistic business. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Is this type of operator/contractor ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[partnership something that compa- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nies could emulate in other parts of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the world? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[They can, but it needs a very high-level ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[commitment from the government. In the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Kingdom, the project is underpinned by ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the government’s strategy to secure ener- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gy, food and medical resources – three ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[things that were very tested during the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[COVID pandemic . So this project is playing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a big part in their strategy to secure their ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[own manufacturing and supply of rigs to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[be able to develop oil and gas fields, as well ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as to undertake carbon injection and stor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[age in the future. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[So, yes, I think it can be done, but it ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[needs a very high level of government ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[commitment, which is present here in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Kingdom. What is your view on the value of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[automation and digital technologies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in terms of drilling performance? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For the Kingdom 1 jackup, which was delivered in November, ARO Drilling opted for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a design that has high compatibility with existing rigs. However, moving forward ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with its newbuild program, the contractor aims to incorporate more features that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will allow for much more advanced automation, data analytics and AI. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[My view is that automation, the use of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[data and even things that people some- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[times talk about in a joking way – like ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ChatGPT – are inevitable . They will make ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[their way into the industry , and you can ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[decide whether you want to manage it, or ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[you want them to manage you . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I firmly believe that automation will ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[help the industry to improve efficiency, as ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[well as lead to better safety by reducing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[people’s exposure to hazards . Moreover, it ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will make our operations more predictable ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and reduce our carbon footprint . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Data analytics, I think, is still one of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the most underutilized technologies in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the drilling contractor business. Look at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the aerospace industry, for example, and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[how they use data to analyze their jet ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[engines, predict potential failures and plan ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for maintenance . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Our industry is still very far from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[deploying that kind of predictive analyt- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ics, which is good and bad. It’s bad because ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we’re late, but it’s good because it means ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we have a lot of potential to really change ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[things in a short period of time. And we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[don’t need to reinvent anything – we can ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[copy what’s being done in other sectors. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What’s the biggest obstacle to making ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that change? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I think it’s related to people’s mindsets. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Some people still question the value of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[those technologies ; they still believe the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[traditional way of doing things is the only ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[way and that drilling is more art than sci- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ence . But science, data analytics, artificial ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[intelligence and things like ChatGPT are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[all like co-pilots on a plane . The stronger ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[your co-pilots, the better the whole flight ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can be. That’s where the industry is still ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[talking a lot but not really acting very ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[much. Why is that? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I think that’s related to what you men- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tioned earlier about the industry’s volatil- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ity and the need for companies to think ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[about how they’re committing their capi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tal. I think most drilling contractors think ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[much more about that question of, what ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[happens if there’s another cycle? The dif- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ference with ARO – where we are unique ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[– is that we’ve eliminated that uncer- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tainty from the equation . We’re able to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[29 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="30">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The agreement under which the Kingdom 1 jackup was built – and under which 19 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[other new jackups will be built – allows ARO Drilling to avoid the pitfalls associated ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with the drilling industry’s up and down cycles. This type of long-term partnership ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can also lead to better alignment between operator and contractor interests. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[think more strategically about how rigs ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are going to look in 10 or 20 years without ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[worrying about having to really downsize ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in any major way . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Since ARO is in such a special position, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is there any advice you can offer ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[around how operators and drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[contractors can better align their ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[interests so they can create more ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[value or forge better partnerships? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I think there’s a lot of overlap between ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[what operators and drilling contractors ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[want , especially when you look at safety, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operational efficiency and consistency . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[But, for drilling contractors who are not ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in a joint venture situation, the challenge ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is always going to be around competi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tiveness and commercial attractiveness. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I think that having more long-term, com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mitted projects can make a difference, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[where the operator and drilling contractor ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[each take some risk but also have some ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[opportunity for rewards . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[You know, the format and the spirit of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[contracts in the drilling business is the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[same as it was probably 70 years ago – ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fundamentally dayrates, fundamentally ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[30 short term. That creates a certain behav- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ior, both from drilling contractors and from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operators. The challenge lies in the con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tract ing strategy ; it’s too volatile . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Is that changing at all? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I see some operators beginning to offer ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more integrated projects where they give ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a contractor a multi-year scope of wells to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drill. I think these kinds of projects could ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[trigger a change in contracting practice ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and give both sides more assurance. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[They might also help solve the labor ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and talent acquisition issue, because both ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sides are trying to hire the same kind of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[people right now. If the operators offer ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more integrated contracts, that might par- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tially solve that problem. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Going back to technology – if you had ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[unlimited R&D funding , what would be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[your dream list of technical innova- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tions that you would like to work on? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As I mentioned earlier, a lot of work ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can definitely be done on automation . In ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[addition to automating well construction ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[processes, we should also look at automat- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing o ther processes that people don’t think ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[about as much. For example, using drones ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for inspection s so we can eliminate the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[need for human interaction. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We should also be looking at differ- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ent power sources for operating the rigs. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Maybe we can power a drilling operation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with liquid gas, or maybe we can make ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more use of batteries. Batteries are not ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[where they need to be for an operation like ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ours, but they’re evolving . Maybe some of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the rig’s instrumentation can be powered ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[by battery because they’re lower consump- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion and more predictable. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We also haven’t looked into how rig ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[moves can be powered differently – there ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[may be a better way to do that rather than ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[using diesel. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Finally, we really need to look more ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[at how to get artificial intelligence and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[things like ChatGPT much more involved ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in our business . There are companies look- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing at using ChatGPT for supply chain, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for writing up contracts and policies and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[procedures , and even to do arbitrations . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[People often don’t approach technologies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[like this with an open mind , but in fact, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[these things progress very quickly. Before ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[you know it, a lot of arbitration will be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[done through ChatGPT, and a lot of HSE ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[policies will be written by ChatGPT . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I don’t mean to dwell on ChatGPT itself ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[because there are multiple variations of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the same concept, but I think it’s an area ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we should explore in drilling. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Anything else you’d like to see for the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[future of drilling in the coming years? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I’d like to think that our rigs can be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[remotely operated , very reliant on data and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more accepted globally as a reasonably ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[clean way of prospecting for energy, which ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the world needs. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Today, a jackup rig needs maybe 100 to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[110 people in order to operate. In 20 years, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can we reduce that number to just 10 ? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Why not? We have to dream big and take ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[big steps rather than keep making small ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[incremental improvements . The industry ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[hasn’t really evolved that much in the last ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[50-60 years, and the way the rig functions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is still more or less the same. We need ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a step change in the industry, and we’re ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[going to work on driving that change at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ARO. DC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="31">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Amid regulatory headwinds, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Australia seeks policy stability, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[growth for gas and LNG markets ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Industry must continue to position itself as a key ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[player in energy transition, but needs broader ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[support to attract the necessary investment ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Samantha McCulloch, Chief Executive, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Australian Energy Producers ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY STEPHEN WHITFIELD, SENIOR EDITOR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What was the motivation behind your ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[recent name change from APPEA to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Australian Energy Producers? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We were the Australian Petroleum ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Production and Exploration Association ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for more than 60 years, so it was a name ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that held us in good stead for decades. But ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[when we looked at the role of our indus- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[try today and the role of the industry in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[our future, it’s actually broader. Of course, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we’re exploring for and producing oil and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gas, but our industry is key to net-zero ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[technologies, and it’s key to the invest- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment in and deployment of low-emission ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fuels. We wanted a name that reflects that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[broader role of the industry. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What do you see as some of the big- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gest challenges facing the industr y in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Australia? And what roles can organi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[zations like yours play in helping the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry address those challenges? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[It’s a challenging environment as we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[transform our global energy systems to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[net zero. Australian Energy Producers has ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[committed to net zero, and we see tremen- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dous opportunities, particularly with the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[role of natural gas in that transformation, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in terms of partnering with renewables to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[provide power to Australian homes and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[businesses. Gas will also play an important role ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in supporting manufacturing and new ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industrial opportunities. In Australia, we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[talk about critical minerals manufacturing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[opportunities, and gas can be a key partner ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in that. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Even in a net-zero pathway, we still ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[need oil and gas, so communicating that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[understanding and translating that into ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[policy settings and support is critical. In ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Australia, it’s been a very challenging and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dynamic policy environment for the past ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[12 months. We’ve had a range of interven- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tions and policy reforms that have added ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to the cost and complexity of the operating ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[environment and the investment envi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ronment for the industry. That’s had an ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[impact in terms of our reputation. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We’ve had some of our key international ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[investors and customers raising concerns ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[publicly about whether Australia is still a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reliable supplier of energy. That’s some- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[thing that we, as an industry, are very ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[concerned about. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For example, we have seen court deci- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sions overturning approvals for projects ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that had been approved by the nation- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[al regulator. We need new regulations ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to ensure meaningful consultation with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Traditional Owners – Aboriginal and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Torres Strait Islander people – as well as ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[certainty for business. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We need to ensure we have stability in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[policy setting and a policy environment ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that attracts new investment and enables ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[us to continue to be a reliable, secure sup- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[plier of energy to the region. That’s really ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[central to the work that we’re doing. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What do you say to those investors ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[who might be a little skeptical of Aus- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tralia’s energy position? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[This all has been the result of months ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of policy interventions and change, and it ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[has been concerning to the industry and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the broader international investment com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[munity. There are challenges in Australia’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operating environment, but we think we’ll ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[see greater stability going forward. As ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[an industry, we’re calling on the gov- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ernment for policies that will encourage ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[new domestic supply to ensure our energy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[security. We have abundant gas resources, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[but we are in a situation where energy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[authorities and the energy analysts are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[forecasting supply shortfalls. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Also, we play such an important role ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in terms of regional energy security. Our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[LNG exports underpin many of our stra- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tegic relationships in the region and sup- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[port decarbonization efforts. We want to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ensure that we’re able to service the grow- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing demand for LNG and gas in our region. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Can you provide some examples of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[regulatory changes that have had this ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[negative effect on operating costs in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the region? What kind of impact have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[they had, exactly? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In our East Coast market – the largest ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[market in Australia in terms of popula- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion density – price caps were introduced ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on the wholesale gas market toward the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[end of 2022 without industry consulta- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion. That created a lot of uncertainty, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and it took quite a few months for us to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[just work through the details of how this ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[was going to work in practice. It’s meant ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that projects have not been able to move ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[forward. Investments that were aiming to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[supply gas to the domestic market have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[not been able to progress. Some gas supply ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[31 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="32">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[A pair of workers inspect a turret on the Pyrenees FPSO, located in the shallow-water Pyrenees field offshore Western Australia. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The Australian Energy Producers has pressed for an increase in the development of Australia’s gas field s, noting the signifi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cant role that natural gas will have to play in the energy transition. The association is focusing much of its efforts on com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[municating that message to policymakers and hopes it will translate into supportive reforms. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[agreements were not able to be made dur- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing this period because of the uncertainty. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[That’s had a really big impact on the East ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Coast market. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In parallel, we’ve had changes to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the Australian Domestic Gas Security ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mechanism, which provides the govern- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment with the option to interrupt LNG export ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[contracts if supply to the domestic market ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is considered inadequate. These changes ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have caused some concern for interna- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tional partners who rely on our gas to keep ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[their lights on. We’ve also had changes to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the Safeguard Mechanism – this is about ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industrial emissions reductions that apply ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to LNG facilities – and to the taxation and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[environmental approvals regimes. There ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[has been a whole suite of changes and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reforms in a relatively short span of time ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that have added to the uncertainty and the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cost of operations in Australia. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[32 Still, I believe it’s inescapable that we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will need more gas for the energy transi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion, both domestically and across our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[region, so I’m confident that we will be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[able to overcome some of the challenges ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we’ve seen. We just need to create a more ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[supportive approvals environment as that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will be key to attracting new investment ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and developing that gas supply. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Currently, approvals are taking far too ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[long when we consider the timeframe ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in which we’re targeting our net-zero ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[goals. We just can’t afford to have approv- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[als processes for our projects take years ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and years. We need much greater clarity ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[around that. We also need to minimize ad ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[hoc interventions in multi-million-dollar ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[investments. We need policies that provide ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[stability and certainty so that companies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have confidence to invest. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[You’ve been vocal about the impor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tance of the oil and gas industry being ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[leaders in Australia’s energy transition . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What would you like to see the indus- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[try d o? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Again, it’s important to recognize that, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[even when we’re talking about net zero, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that doesn’t mean that fossil fuels disap- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pear. Even in the International Energy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Agency’s (IEA) net-zero pathway, by 2050 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we’re still going to see 20% of the energy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mix being met by fossil fuels, and gas is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[going to be a key part of that. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In addition to that ongoing role for gas ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[production, there will also be a broader role ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for our industry in supporting emissions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reductions. Low-carbon hydrogen is a key ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[part of that, as well as carbon capture and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[storage (CCS). These technologies are vital ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for the transformation, and our industry ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="33">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The Chevron-owned Asia Excellence LNG tanker is one of several VLCCs (very large crude carriers) the operator is using to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[deliver LNG throughout the Asia Pacific region. LNG exports are a key lever in Australia’s energy policy. However, recent chang- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[es to the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanis m and the Safeguard Mechanism, as well as to tax and approvals ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[schemes, have led to concerns from international investors over the reliability of the country’s energy supply. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is well positioned to lead in their deploy- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment. When we look at the IEA pathways, we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[need to move from the 40 million tonnes ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of CO 2 being captured and stored today to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[about 6.2 billion tonnes by 2050. That’s a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[huge challenge, but it’s also a huge oppor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tunity for our industry. We have the skills ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and expertise, particularly with the sub- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[surface, to drive that deployment. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CCS looks to be a huge part of Austra- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lia’s decarbonization efforts: The ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[country is home to one of the largest ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[commercial CCS projects in the world, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the Gorgon project, and the govern- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment announced new offshore green- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[house gas storage permits in 2022. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[You’ve mentioned in the past that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Australia has unique technical and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[geological advantages to CCS. Can ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[you elaborate? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We have fantastic geology. We’ve done ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[quite a bit of work in terms of mapping that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[geology and understanding it. We have the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[skills and expertise of the oil and gas indus- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[try. We have mature legal and regulatory ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[frameworks – Australia was one of the first ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[jurisdictions to have an offshore CO 2 stor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[age framework, and we’re close to meeting ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[domestic demand for CO 2 storage services. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We’ve already had strong interest from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[countries in our region that don’t have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the same geological advantages and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[know they’ll be relying on CCS technolo- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gies. They’re looking to export their CO 2 to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Australia for storage. This is another oppor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tunity for Australia and for our industry to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[support regional decarbonization. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What are some of the obstacles you ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[see in scaling up Australia’s offshore ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CCS capability? Going from 40 million ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tonnes to 6.2 billion tonnes would be a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[massive undertaking. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I would just take a step back with that, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[though, and say that such a massive scale- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[up in CCS technologies underscores the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[challenge of transforming the global ener- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gy system to net zero by 2050. The chal- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lenges of scaling up CCS are not dissimilar ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to the challenges of scaling up in other ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sectors. We’ve got to triple our investment ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in clean energy. There’s a whole range of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[scale-up required across the system, and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that underscores why we actually need a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[portfolio of technologies to get there. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We know that CCS technology works. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[It’s been around for decades – there have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[been projects operating in the US since ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the 1970s, and Sleipner has been operating ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the North Sea for more than a quarter- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[century, storing 3 million tonnes a year. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We know we have the skills and expertise ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to deploy it. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I think the challenge with CCS is just ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[making the business case for it, providing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the incentive for companies to actually ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[make that investment. We can see in terms ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of what’s happening globally right now that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[there’s huge momentum behind CCS. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Once those incentives and that policy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[support is in place, we’ll see huge interest ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in investing in projects. Globally, when we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[look at the projects that were either oper- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ating or in development in the early 2010s, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[there were maybe 50 projects. Today, we’re ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[up to around 400. While the scale-up is a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[challenge, it’s not an insurmountable one. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[33 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="34">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRILLING & COMPLETIONS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC has focused a lot in recent years ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on engaging with the next-generation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[workforce through our Student Chap- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ter program, including a chapter at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Perth’s Curtin University, and our Young ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Professionals Committee. What would ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[you like to see the industry do in Aus- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tralia to develop tomorrow’s talent? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I think the Student Chapter program ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is a fantastic program, and it’s certainly ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[important to engage with people early in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[their careers. With this younger genera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion, we need to communicate that there ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are exciting career opportunities available ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the oil and gas sector. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The key challenge is that we don’t have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[this understanding of the long-term role ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of oil and gas in the energy mix, and par- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ticularly the importance of our sector in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the net-zero transformation. It’s going to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[be important to communicate that young ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[people can do a huge amount of good ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[working in this industry. It’s not just about ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[energy security and the economic contri- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bution that the industry brings, but also ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[supporting that transformation. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Additionally, these are highly skilled, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[well-paying jobs, and in many cases they ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are opportunities for having a global career. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[It’s important that we really communicate ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that opportunity for young people to build ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[an exciting career. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[You’ve said previously that the indus- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[try’s role in the community is misun- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[derstood and that it’s important the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry doesn’t just “talk among our- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[selves” about the value of oil and gas. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[What can the industry do to better ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[educate the public about what it ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[does? How can we “win them over,” so ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to speak? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[It’s certainly a challenge, but we have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[an excellent story to tell as an indus- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[try. Here in Australia, we’ve committed ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to net zero, and we see ourselves as being ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[key enablers of that net-zero pathway, but ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[many people don’t appreciate the current ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[role of gas today. People associate it with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[their home heating, but it powers about ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[40% of our manufacturing sector and plays ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a broader role with the electricity we gen- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[erate. Communicating those benefits to the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[broader community is a great benefit. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[34 Also, within our industry, we’re focused ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on working with other industries to sup- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[port not just energy security and the eco- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nomic benefits of our industry but also ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[decarbonization efforts. We’re working ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with the Commonwealth Scientific and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Industrial Research Organization to look at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[how we can support regional decarboniza- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion, support opportunities for CCS, low- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[carbon hydrogen, renewables and natural ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gas. This is a way that our industry can be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[working with other sectors on the decar- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bonization pathway. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[A 2022 report – jointly commissioned ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[by the Australian Energy Producers, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the National Offshore Petroleum Safety ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and Environmental ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Management Authority, and the Offshore Alliance – ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[focused on the mental health of off- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shore workers in Australia. Have the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[findings led to any initiatives to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[address those challenges? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[This was a survey of workers that we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[undertook in 2021, well in the thick of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the COVID-related impacts. We wanted ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to understand the general wellbeing and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mental health of the workforce. We think ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[this has been a really important initiative ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[because it’s supporting a baseline for us ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to do future surveys and reports. We’ve ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[been able to take the learnings from that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[survey and share them with the industry ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in workshops and events hosted by us and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[by the regulator. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We need to ensure that our workers are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[supported, that they feel like they are a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[part of a community, and that they have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[access to the services that they need to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ensure that their wellbeing is looked after ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the workplace. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Australia is one of the world’s largest ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[LNG exporters, yet the country has only ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[seen one LNG project reach FID in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[last decade – Woodside’s Scarbor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ough project. What role do you see ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[LNG playing in the country’s energy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mix moving forward, and how will that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[affect drilling contractor s? ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Australia is a huge exporter of LNG. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Our LNG exports in 2022 were around ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[$92 billion, so it’s really important to our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[economy. LNG is also playing that role ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in our region for energy security and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[emissions reduction, so there’s a grow- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing need. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[When we look at countries like The ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[potentially even New Zealand import- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing LNG, there’s a huge market and a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[huge opportunity. But again, Australia has ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[had some challenges in terms of being ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[able to attract that investment. There’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[still investment occurring, of course, for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ensuring that we can keep the existing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[LNG trains operating in full so we can ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[continue to meet that demand in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[region. From an Australian perspective, we’d ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[like to see another investment wave in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[LNG. The demand is there in our region. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We’re close to these demand centers, and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as countries shift away from coal, that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reliance on LNG will increase. Australia is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[well positioned to play an important role. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[It’s inescapable that we have a strong ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[demand for gas. Domestically, that requires ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[new investment, and that means new ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling. Also, in our region there’s a huge ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[demand growth. It’s a real pathway for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drillers to see substantial demand, more ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[investment and more activity. DC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[	» Click to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[watch DC’s video ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[interview with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Samantha McCulloch. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bit.ly/3Sq6fi2 JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="35">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Next-gen petroleum engineering ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[students: Flexibility, growth and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[culture among key motivators ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Students share personal perspectives of how ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[they chose their majors and what’s influencing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[their choice to start an oilfield career ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[STAFF REPORT ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[One of the biggest challenges the oil and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gas industry faces today is attracting and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[retaining younger talent. Even though ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[hydrocarbons are expected to remain part ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of the energy mix for decades to come, it ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[has become increasingly difficult to get ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[younger voices to buy in. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[At the IADC Annual General Meeting ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in Austin, Texas, on 9 November, four ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[petroleum engineering students – from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the University of Louisiana at Lafayette ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[(ULL), University of Wyoming, Louisiana ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[State University (LSU) and Texas Tech ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[University – shared their perspectives on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[how the industry can help address that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[challenge, as well as their own stories ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[about how they are making their career ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[choices. All four students are currently ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[studying petroleum engineering and hold ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[leadership positions at IADC Student ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Chapters at their respective schools. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For some of these students, even though ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[they knew they wanted to become engi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[neers, this industry was barely on their ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[radars at first – perhaps they grew up ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[far away from the oilfield, like Patrick ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Stapleton from LSU and Clay Ostrander ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from ULL. For both of them, it was through ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[talking with people who knew about the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry and learning about opportunities ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for travel and flexible work schedules that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[brought them into oil and gas. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[They were also attracted by the diversi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ty in potential careers, even just within the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[oil and gas sector, when selecting petro- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[leum engineering as their major. “You’re ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[not siloed into one specific discipline. You ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can go worldwide, you can do drilling, you ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can do production, you can do reservoir. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[It’s up to your personal decision of where ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[you want to go,” Mr Ostrander said. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Another student, Cody Zayonc with the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[University of Wyoming, pointed to the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[practice of petroleum engineering itself ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as the thing that attracted him the most. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“I knew I wanted to be an engineer, but ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[when I started looking through all the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[options, quite a few of them seemed pretty ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[boring,” he said. “When I came across ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[petroleum engineering and saw what they ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[do, just from an engineering standpoint, it ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[seemed to be the most exciting. It’s kind of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mind-blowing what petroleum engineers ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can do.” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Sarah Qureshi with Texas Tech had a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[similar perspective, pointing to innova- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion and opportunity as what motivated ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[her to choose this industry. “I also appre- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ciate the chance to work with the most ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[hard-working individuals that you’ll prob- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ably ever meet,” she added. Ms Qureshi, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[who has already had two internships with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ConocoPhillips, is slated to join the opera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tor full time upon graduation. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Seeing the potential ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[While these next-gens are excited about ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[beginning their oilfield careers, they ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[acknowledge that it can be an uphill battle ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[explaining their choices to other people in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[their generation. “The big thing I always ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[hear, especially from other engineering ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[majors, is that we’re pigeonholing our- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[selves and that it’s too narrow of a field,” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mr Stapleton said. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[His personal experience tells him oth- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[erwise, however. “At Chevron, if you go to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a different floor, it’s a completely different ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[world. You can be talking to production or ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[land management or drilling and comple- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tions. There are so many skills that can ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[become applicable in other fields that I ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[don’t think it’s nearly as narrow as people ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tend to think it is.” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For Mr Zayonc, whenever he gets ques- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tioned by peers on his career choice, he ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[not only takes the opportunity to clear up ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[any misconceptions about oil and gas, but ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[he also flips the conversation and tries to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[convince them to join. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“I know there’s more than enough jobs ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[because of all the people we need, so if I ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can try and pull them in, that’s good for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[me and them,” he said. “Even beyond the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[technical engineers, there are also a lot ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of people on the support staff side, and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[everyone I’ve met has been very happy to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[be in this industry and want to stay in it. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[I always tell my peers, why don’t you give ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[it a shot?” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Personal connections and stories like ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that have always played a key role in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[oilfield recruitment, and will likely con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tinue to, but the industry will also have ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to expand its outreach in order to better ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[engage with the next generation. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[This may include targeting people in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[areas that are outside of the traditional ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[oil and gas states like Texas, Louisiana ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and Oklahoma, Mr Ostrander said. People ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[who don’t live in those areas are much ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[less familiar with this industry and will ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[require more outreach and education in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[order to understand what opportunities ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are available. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“To get inside that bubble, you kind of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have to take a leap of faith,” he said. “I ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[grew up on a farm and I had many other ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[friends who grew up on a farm. They’re ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[hard workers, and they would thoroughly ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[enjoy the adventure of working in the oil ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and gas industry. They just didn’t know ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that’s a possibility.” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Looking to their own future careers, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[all the students agreed that they put a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[premium on positive leadership and cul- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ture when selecting their workplace. “For ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[me personally, culture was pretty much ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[everything,” Mr Stapleton said. “I went ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[off of more how they interacted with me ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[personally and not so much the technical ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[side of the interview. It’s more about, is this ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a friendly person that I’ll want to come in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and work for everyday?” DC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[35 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="36">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[H S E & M E NTA L H E A LTH ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Seadrill tackles employee ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mental health and wellbeing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[amid growing need for action ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As industry begins to recognize scale of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[employees facing mental health challenges, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lessons can be learned from existing efforts ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[STAFF REPORT ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[There is an undeniable stigma in society ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[associated with the words “mental health,” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[yet there is no reason for that negativ- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ity. The term is neutral because it simply ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[refers to a person’s psychological, social ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and emotional wellbeing. You might think ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[about it the way you think about the words ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“physical health.” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“We all have mental health. We all ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have physical health. It’s just a condition ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[you have, and it can be positive or nega- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tive,” said Neil Forrest, VP of Operational ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Integrity at Seadrill. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Yet, due to the associated stigma around ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mental health, many people find it hard to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[either talk about or seek help when this ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[aspect of their health suffers – and many ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are suffering. According to a 2021 report ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from the International SOS Foundation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[(“Mental Health and the Remote Rotational ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Speaking at the 2023 IADC Annual General Meeting in November, Megan Moon, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Head of HR Operations, and Neil Forrest, VP of Operational Integrity, discussed the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[journey that Seadrill has taken over the past few years to improve employee men- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tal health. Example initiatives include the company’s BeWell program, support of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the RigRun competition and conducting psychosocial surveys to gather data. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[36 Workforce”), 40% of the offshore and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[onshore remote rotational workforce said ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[they experienced suicidal thoughts some ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[or all of the time while on duty. Further, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the study found that 29% of survey respon- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dents met the threshold for clinical depres- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sion while on rotation. Those are shocking ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[numbers, Mr Forrest said. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For employers, this can mean unhealthy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[employees and decreased productivity. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Especially for remote rotational workers ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[like rig crews, mental health challenges ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can be exacerbated by factors associated ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with oilfield life: the remote and isolated ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[locations; confined work and living spac- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[es; separation from family and friends; ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[regular and prolonged periods away from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[home, to name a few. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Seadrill recognizes this and has taken ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[steps in recent years to implement policies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and procedures aimed at improving its ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[employees’ overall wellbeing, believing it ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will lead to better productivity and engage- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment, and may even increase employee ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[retention. At the 2023 IADC Annual General ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Meeting in Austin, Texas, on 9 November, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mr Forrest and his colleague Megan Moon, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Head of HR Operations, shared Seadrill’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[journey to address mental health over the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[past five to six years. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[While Seadrill has been monitoring and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[categorizing all of the medical consulta- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tions occurring on its rigs since before ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2018, so it can understand what issues its ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[crews are facing, the company kicked off a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more formalized program, BeWell, in 2019. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[It incorporates the four pillars of emotional ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and mental health, social health, physical ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wellbeing and financial security, Ms Moon ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[explained. The program aims to raise awareness ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[among employees of each of those four ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dimensions of mental health, as well ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as support them in actively managing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[those dimensions in their own lives. To ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[make sure that crews didn’t become over- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[whelmed with too much information all ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[at once, the company would tackle just ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[one pillar in each quarter of the year, Ms ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Moon added. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In 2022, Seadrill stepped up its efforts ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[again by formalizing its Employee ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Wellbeing Directive. This encompassed ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the BeWell Program and ensured that men- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tal health would be accounted for in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[company’s Behavioral Framework, Health ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="37">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[H S E & M E NTA L H E A LTH ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Policy and Diversity Policy. Last year, to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[make mental health even more visible, it ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[was even incorporated into Seadrill’s over- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[arching company strategy. Among other ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[goals like eliminating dropped objects and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[delivering environmental stewardship, the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[strategy also called for “building physical ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[& mental health resilience.” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[One example of Seadrill’s efforts to raise ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[employees’ awareness around physical ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wellbeing is its support of workers’ par- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ticipation in RigRun. The global program ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[calls for offshore oilfield crews to compete ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[– both individually and as part of the rig ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[they represent – for prizes by becoming ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more physically active over a six-week ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[period. While the ostensible target here ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is physical wellbeing, Mr Forrest pointed ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[out that “there’s also a whole social side ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to this” when employees come together to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[focus on something fun and to achieve a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[common goal. “There is a togetherness in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[this. It’s encouragement by positivity.” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Another way Seadrill is tackling mental ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[health is through psychosocial surveys ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[– psychosocial simply means something ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that involves both psychological and social ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[aspects. While these surveys had been ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[conducted previously in some operating ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[regions like Norway and Mexico where ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[there is regulator requirement, in 2023 the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[company standardized the survey process ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[across its global operations. Taking this ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[risk management approach and proactive- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ly managing psychosocial risk factors has ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[provided Seadrill with actual data around ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[its employees’ physical and mental health, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[which are then used to design programs to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[meaningfully improve their wellbeing. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[This HealthyWork Survey, first conduct- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ed in September to November last year, was ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[based on the Copenhagen Psychosocial ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Questionnaire, which is freely and publicly ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[available online. Seadrill also referenced ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[WHO guidance, as well as parts of ISO ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[45003, to develop the survey. “This is not ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[one of those situations where you’re like, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[there’s nothing out there that fits what ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we do. If you do your research, there are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[plenty of pre-existing standards that you ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can use to support your own programs,” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mr Forrest said. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For companies looking to start their ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[own employee wellbeing or mental health ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[programs, Ms Moon stressed that fre- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[quent communications and consistent ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[messaging is key. “This means sharing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[information around mental health, hav- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing events and figuring out how often ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[you want to communicate that, whether ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[it’s monthly or quarterly, and ensuring ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that all employees have access to the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[same information,” she said. “Creating ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[this sense of community and work envi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ronment that encourages open dialogue ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and open communication about the topic ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[is going to help to make sure your mes- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[saging comes off as authentic to your ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[employees.” Another factor for success is how the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[company’s leaders can role-model well- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[being behaviors. “Whenever we, as leaders, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[share our own stories, it’s really impactful,” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Ms Moon said , adding that it’s been report- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ed that 90% of employees have never heard ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a senior leader share a personal experi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ence about mental health. “A good first ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[step in promoting mental health aware- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ness is to get the leaders onboard to role- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[model the behaviors that we want seen in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the organization.” DC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC Launches New Tracking System for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Incident Statistics Program (ISP) ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For IADC’s Drilling Contractor Members that do not ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[currently have their own system or database to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[track incidents and hours, the new ISP system can ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[be used for this purpose at no cost. This new web- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[based system creates a complete paradigm shift ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the way the program operates by putting the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[individual participant in the driver’s seat. Users now ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have direct access to upload data into the system, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as well as on-demand access to reports containing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sophisticated visual analytics. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[To learn how your company can participate in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ISP, please send e-mail to isp@iadc.org. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[PROMOTING SAFETY IN THE ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DRILLING INDUSTRY SINCE 1940 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For more information, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[visit iadc.org/isp ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[37 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="38">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[GEOTHERMAL DRILLING ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Insulated drill pipe offers new ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tool to enable efficient drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of ultra-deep geothermal wells ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Testing in New Mexico, Utah FORGE project ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[illustrates pipe’s effectiveness in lowering ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[temperatures, protecting downhole equipment ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY STEPHEN WHITFIELD, SENIOR EDITOR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[To drill the ultradeep, high-temperature ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wells needed for geothermal applications, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[it’s critical to make sure that downhole ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tools are protected. Insulated drill pipes ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[(IDP) have been used in oil and gas drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to maintain sufficiently low temperatures ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for the drilling fluid as it moves downhole, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and thanks to a recently launched effort ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from Eavor Technologies, they can now ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[help drillers and operators better navigate ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the ultra-high temperatures often seen in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[geothermal wells. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“Insulation is really important when ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[you’re drilling hot resources,” said Alex ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Vetsak, Well Construction Advisor at Eavor. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“The geothermal business requires you ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to drill as hot as possible – we’re talking ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[temperatures downhole exceeding 500°F. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[When we’re talking about these numbers, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[it’s critical to be able to deliver cold drill- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing fluid from the surface to the downhole ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tools. You don’t want to burn the sensitive ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[electronics at the bottom, and if your fluids ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are exceeding the temperature limit for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[those tools, they will burn and fail.” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The temperature ratings of different ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bottomhole assembly (BHA) components, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[such as the measurement-while-drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[(MWD) and rotary steerable systems (RSS), ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are particularly significant limiting fac- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tors, Mr Vetsak said at the IADC Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Engineers Committee’s Technology Forum ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in Houston on 1 November. To address this ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[issue, Eavor developed its IDP as part of a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[suite of tools aimed at enabling high-tem- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[perature drilling. By insulating both on the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[outside and inside of the pipe with several ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[layers of a proprietary coating solution, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the heat transfer between the drilling fluid ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[traveling down the drill pipe and the hot ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fluid traveling up the annulus is reduced. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[This results in cooler fluid being delivered ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to the BHA. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[When used in conjunction with Eavor’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[other technologies – the Rock-Pipe drill- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing fluid, its turbogenerator, and its mag- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[netic ranging technology – the IDP helps ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[create what the company calls an “Eavor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Loop,” a closed-loop geothermal system. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[An Eavor-Loop is the connection of two ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[vertical wells with horizontal multilateral ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wellbores that create a closed-loop sys- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tem. The company’s proprietary working ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fluid – the fluid used to generate heat ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from a geothermal reservoir – is selected ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and added at surface, then circulated to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[harvest heat. Eavor-Loops can also be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[directionally drilled from centralized sur- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[face pads. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The company first manufactured a full ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IDP string in 2022 and tested its perfor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mance in a geothermal formation in Q3-Q4 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that year at the Eavor-Deep project in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[New Mexico. An 18,000-ft well was drilled, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[along with a sidetrack, in a granite forma- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion with rock temperatures of around ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[480°F. The project aimed to demonstrate ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[all the technical elements required to con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[struct a commercial Eavor-Loop system ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in deep, high-temperature hard rock, and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[testing focused primarily on gathering ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[temperature measurements from MWD ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tools. In this well, the IDP was able to help ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the well maintain circulating tempera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tures below 300°F at the bottom. Compared ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with the circulating temperatures from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[using a standard drill pipe – which Eavor ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[calculated would be approximately 370°F, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[according to a transient thermodynamic ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling model – the IDP reduced downhole ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[circulating temperatures by as much as ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[194°F, with a median of 142°F. Drilling was, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[therefore, enabled by keeping the tempera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ture below the 300°F tool limit. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Alex Vetsak, Well Construction Advisor at Eavor Technologies, spoke about the test- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing and performance of the company’s insulated drill pipe for geothermal wells at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the IADC Drilling Engineers Committee’s Technology Forum on 1 November. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[38 JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“Insulated pipe” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[continued on page 40 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="39">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DRILLING MARKETS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Comparison of different models ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for integrated services contracts ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shows how cost savings fluctuate ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Petronas shares its process behind identifying ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the ‘lump sum cost per hole section’ model ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as having the highest cost savings potential ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY STEPHEN WHITFIELD, SENIOR EDITOR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Cost optimization is a critical aspect of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[any drilling operation. Humam Al ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Darkazly, Senior Wells Engineer at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Petronas, estimated that drilling costs ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[make up between 50% and 70% of the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CAPEX for the operator’s typical develop- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment projects. To help mitigate financial ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[risks and uncertainty, the company is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[increasingly relying on integrated drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[services (IDS) contracts, both to achieve ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cost efficiencies and to allow for greater ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[adaptability to changing market condi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tions. “We’re trying to maximize cost savings. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[We want to ensure profitability regardless ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of any volatility we may see in oil price, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ensure financial stability and minimize ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[risk,” Mr Al Darkazly said at the 2023 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ADIPEC on 3 October. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[However, there is no one-size-fits-all ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[contracting model that can guarantee the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[most cost savings. So, Petronas utilizes ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[three cost models in its tendering process ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for IDS contracts: lump sum cost per well, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lump sum cost per meter drilled (as deter- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mined by the estimated total depth of the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[well), and lump sum cost per hole section. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In his presentation, Mr Al Darkazly com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pared the advantages and disadvantages ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of each model based on an evaluation the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operator conducted on IDS contracts in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Middle East. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As part of the evaluation, the operator ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[compared contract terms for the drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of various wells in an unnamed Middle ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[East reservoir drilled in 2022. For the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[evaluation, three separate land rigs that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[possessed identical specifications were ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[contracted, which Mr Al Darkazly said ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ensured “consistency and comparability.” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Each well employed an identical casing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[design. Petronas provided the necessary ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[casing, tubing and wellhead, while the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling contractor was responsible for all ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[other materials and services required for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the drilling operation. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Of the three models, Petronas noted the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[most cost savings was achieved under ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the cost model structured by hole sec- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion drilled – in fact, savings were up to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[50% more than the other two cost mod- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[els. The calculated percentage of saving ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[was based on the prices specified in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[awarded contracts, and Mr Al Darkazly ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[said savings from the hole section model ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[were due to the effective categorization of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[hole section prices based on well inclina- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion. Under the hole section model, the drill- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing contractor has the opportunity to pro- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pose lower costs for wells with lower ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[inclinations. This is primarily because, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with these types of contracts, the total ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[number of meters drilled is typically less ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[compared with higher-inclination wells. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[As a result, the contractor can allocate ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fewer resources while reducing drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and tripping times, leading to less equip- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment usage, manpower and associated ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[expenses. Additionally, lower inclination ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wells generally entail reduced drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[complexities and risks compared with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wells with higher inclinations. The con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tractor is then able to offer more competi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tive pricing for these wells. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The other two models – cost per drilled ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[well and cost per meter drilled – do not ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[incorporate well inclination as a factor, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[since well inclination is only useful for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[determining the lengths of a given hole ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[section. However, although well inclina- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion does not have a direct impact on the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[number of wells drilled or the total depth ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of a given well, it does mean that the drill- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing contractor assumes the maximum ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[risk regardless of the well’s inclination ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and are likely to incorporate that into their ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bid. In such cases, the contractor must ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[account for the possibility of drilling more ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[meters and encountering more challeng- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing conditions downhole, resulting in a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[higher proposed price to compensate for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the added risks. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[By integrating well inclination into the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[hole section model, the contractor can ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[assess and evaluate drilling conditions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more precisely, allowing for more opti- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mized bids based on the specific complexi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ties and risks associated with each well’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[inclination. This approach ultimately ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[leads to the additional cost savings com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pared with the other two models. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Even though Petronas saw greater ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cost savings overall with the hole sec- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion model, Mr Al Darkazly noted that the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[specific savings Petronas saw in a given ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[well depended on external factors. Such ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[factors could make the other two models ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more palatable to other operators utilizing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IDS contracts. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For instance, while a contract utilizing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the drilled wells model has a fixed budget ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dependent on the number of wells to be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilled, the hole section model is based on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fixed drilling targets, and changes to the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[well target by reservoir engineers can neg- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[atively impact the budget estimation. Also, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[S-shaped wells may increase costs for the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[hole section model due to increased well ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[inclination, though some operators may ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[opt for shallower kick-off points and high- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[er doglegs to reduce inclination and lower ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[costs. Well inclination has no impact on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[well cost for the drilled wells and meters ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilled models because it was not incor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[porated into either model, so if the inclina- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion category is not specified, the operator ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[may prefer to use one of those models. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The drilled wells and hole section mod- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[els also provide easier invoice processing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[than the meters drilled model because ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[they are fixed costs. More auditing is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[required to process invoices in the meters ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilled model, as the operator must check ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[39 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="40">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DRILLING MARKETS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the depths of each hole section. Mr Al ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Darkazly also noted possible disputes if the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[casing is tagged at different depths than ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the BHA, or if directional work deviates ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from the plan. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Petronas’ review of cost models also ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[revealed several potential areas of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[improvement for IDS contracts that Mr ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Al Darkazly said could help minimize dis- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[putes between operators and contractors. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For one, by refining the risk-sharing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mechanism in IDS contracts, operators ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can establish clearer responsibilities and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[expectations for contractors, minimizing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[disputes and creating an environment ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[where risks are effectively managed and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shared. A potential approach is to transfer the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[risk fully to the contractor, which may ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[result in an increase in the contract cost. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[However, this ensures that the operator’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[spend is closely aligned with the bud- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[get. For example, if the drilling contractor ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bears the cost of mud losses or left-in-hole ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BHA, that can help mitigate financial risk ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for the operator. Another strategy may be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to share the risk with the contractor based ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on a calculated percentage, taking into ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[account the probability of encountering ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[issues downhole. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Another way to minimize potential ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[disputes may be to avoid specifying the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[number of rigs in an IDS contract, Mr ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Al Darkazly said. This is beneficial from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the operator’s perspective as it allows ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for the potential provision of additional ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rigs when needed to expedite drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[activity or overcome contractor-related ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[delays, ensuring adherence to the delivery ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[schedule. Thirdly, under the per hole section ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[model, true vertical depth (TVD) is gener- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ally specified for each hole section with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a safety margin. However, conflicts may ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[arise in cases where the total depth criteria ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[are modified by the reservoir geologist to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drill a deeper TVD. To address this issue, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mr Al Darkazly suggested two potential ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mitigations. First, the safety margin of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[TVD can be increased based on field expe- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rience, resulting in a higher cost estimate ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that can accommodate potential chang- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[es. Alternatively, a cost line item can be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[included in the contract for each addi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tional meter drilled beyond the specified ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[TVD depth, ensuring that any deviations ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from the original plan are accounted for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and appropriately compensated. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Also, to prevent disputes and ensure ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[compliance with established standards, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IDS contracts should include explicit pro- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[visions addressing contractor practices ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that deviate from the operator’s practic- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[es. These practices may include reduc- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing mud quantity, operating with minimal ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[manpower, employing inexperienced per- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sonnel and other non-compliant actions. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[By incorporating comprehensive details ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and emphasizing adherence to the opera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tor’s practices, Mr Al Darkazly said, opera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tors can set clear expectations. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“We have a competitive bidding process, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and we’re awarding the contract to the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lowest bidder, so we’re aware that some- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[times the contractor must make decisions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to save costs on their end, but we need to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ensure that we are clear about our stan- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dards,” he said. DC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“Insulated pipe,” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[continued from page 38 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[An average MWD temperature of 164°F ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[was seen while drilling, which FORGE ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and Eavor attributed to the positioning of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[non-insulated pipe near the BHA. Further, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[it was observed that the average MWD ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[temperature rose to 220°F while drilling in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the next run, when no IDP was used. The ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[formation reached a maximum tempera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ture of 450°F throughout all runs. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[After the IDP was pulled and inspected ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[onsite, Eavor noted that the external coat- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing showed negligible wear from the trial. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[There was minor damage to the internal ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[coating on a small number of joints, but no ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[damage was found on the MWD tool or the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drill bit nozzles. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“This learning cycle of finding out how ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the pipe behaves can be done in the lab, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[but it’s really hard to compete with field ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[deployment. What we’ve seen with our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[testing so far is that the thermal out- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[put, and the performance of the pipe, is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[matching our expectations,” Mr Vetsak ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[said. He also noted the impact of the IDP in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[protecting the MWD tools overall. In a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[previous run without using IDP, one of the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[MWD batteries – rated for up to 300°F – ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[failed at a recorded temperature of 327°F. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[This was because the BHA faced height- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ened vulnerability during the process of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tripping in the hole and at the beginning ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of drilling a new section due to a lack of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[circulation. This lack of circulation could ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lead to the column warming up close to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the temperature of the surrounding for- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mation. While running in hole, the BHA encoun- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ters hot fluid, and without adequate cir- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[culation it can warm up quickly, requir- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing frequent pauses to circulate and cool ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[down the BHA. If the cool-downs are not ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[performed in time, the BHA is at risk of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[exceeding its maximum design tempera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tures. As the IDP reduces heat transfer ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[between the hot annulus and the cold fluid ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the drill pipe, the risk of exceeding the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BHA maximum temperatures is reduced. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[During the two runs utilizing the IDP, Eavor ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and Forge reported no failures of the MWD ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tools. DC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In May 2023, the IDP was put to the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[test again, this time as part of the US ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Department of Energy’s FORGE project at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the University of Utah. Eavor provided 350 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[joints of internally and externally coated ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IDP for two bit runs, with the aim to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[demonstrate the technology’s capacity to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reduce BHA temperatures, reduce tem- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[perature-related equipment failures and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[observe any potential drilling performance ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[improvement. In the first run, a full string of the IDP ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[was utilized, along with a new motor; ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a mud chiller was also brought online ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[toward the end of the run, decreasing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the inlet temperatures from approximately ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[130°F to 110°F. An average MWD tempera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ture of 149°F was seen while drilling, a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reduction of 31° compared with the previ- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ous run in the well. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In the second run, a partial IDP string ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[was used, with approximately 70% IDP ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and 30% regular non-insulated drill pipe. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[40 JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="41">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[EDITORIAL • IADC CONNECTION ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC project provides new insights ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to enhance oil and gas recruiting ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[FROM THE PRESIDENT ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The new year is a great time to contem- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[plate what’s working for us and how we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can amplify the elements of our success. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Equally important is identifying areas of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[potential growth and paving the way for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[innovative solutions. Within the broader ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[framework of the drilling industry, we ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[benefit from commendable strengths — ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[unyielding commitment to safety, ongoing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[collaboration for the collective good and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the privilege of working in a field that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[enhances people’s quality of life. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Amidst our accomplishments, room for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[improvement remains. It’s imperative to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[vocalize our own stories, bridging the gap ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[between the industry’s true nature and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[public perception. There’s also a need to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[revitalize our efforts in attracting new tal- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ent to this remarkable industry. To main- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tain a competitive edge, we have to capti- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[vate the attention of potential employees, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[showcasing the dynamic and rewarding ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nature of opportunities within our field. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In response to these sectorwide chal- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lenges, IADC launched the Industry Value ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Initiative in 2022. The mission was three- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fold: first, to understand perceptions of our ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry among potential employees; sec- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ond, to identify what today’s job seekers ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[truly desire in a career; and third, to equip ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[member companies with the insights ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gleaned from this project to aid them in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[attracting and securing top talent. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[To set the project in motion, IADC con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tracted Brunswick Group to design and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[execute a research plan to help us gain ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a baseline understanding of perceptions, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[motivations, misconceptions and oppor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tunities among prospective employees. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Brunswick Group conducted a series of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[focus groups and online surveys among ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[specific audiences in key regions. The ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[identified audience groups included vet- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[erans, vocational students and individuals ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[currently employed in a relevant industry, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[among others. Key regions for this proj- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ect were the United States, the United ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Kingdom, Asia Pacific and the European ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Union. We learned from the research findings ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that higher familiarity with the drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry often correlates to increased ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[interest. When exposed to tailored mes- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[saging, most groups expressed markedly ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[higher openness to this field. The data also ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[revealed that awareness of the industry is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[modest, indicating significant opportunity ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to enhance public understanding. Broad ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[outreach about the industry’s nature and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[purpose is essential to thrive in today’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[labor market. It’s very likely that promis- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing future employees aren’t considering ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling careers presently, whether due to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[unfamiliarity or misinformation. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[To make inroads, messaging must align ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with prospective employees’ aspirations. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Those surveyed valued work-life balance, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[career growth and professional develop- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment above all. Job security, workplace ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[safety and benefits were also viewed as ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[essential priorities. Attracting talented ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[candidates will require finding compel- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ling ways to communicate the advantages ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of working in this industry. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Additionally, it’s crucial to directly ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[address prevalent concerns regarding a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[career in drilling, such as environmen- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tal impact, job insecurity and workplace ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[hazards. In surveys, participants selected ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“risky” and “polluting” as top descriptors ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for the industry, while considering “safe” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and “sustainable” as inapplicable. Many ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[also felt as though a career in drilling was ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“not for them,” whether from disinterest or ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[perceived lack of credentials. To challenge ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[these notions, messaging should show- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[case our commitment to sustainability and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[an inclusive work culture. By highlighting ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[stewardship initiatives, safety innovations ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and diversity in roles, we can convey that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[our industry offers dynamic, stable careers ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for all types of talent. Reassuring narra- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tives that combat outdated myths and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[accurately reflect our values will likely ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[resonate with prospective recruits. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[On that note, we can also utilize messag- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing around advanced technology to rein- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[troduce the industry to people. While tech- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Jason McFarland, IADC President ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nology was not the audience’s first associ- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ation with drilling, messaging around how ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[we use cutting-edge technology can help ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drive interest moving forward. By show- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[casing complex technical capabilities and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[state-of-the-art tools, we can reshape anti- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[quated perceptions and set this industry ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[apart as an exciting career option for the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[next generation. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In order to spread any of the above mes- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sages, we must utilize the right channels ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and sources. Company websites and social ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[media platforms are fundamental avenues ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to educate potential recruits. Furthermore, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[those surveyed indicated that if consider- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing a drilling career, they would turn first ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to family, friends and acquaintances with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a career in the industry as their most trust- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ed sources. This underscores the impor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tance of empowering current employees to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[be passionate and authentic ambassadors ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for working in this field. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[These data-driven insights synthesize ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more than a year of diligent work to guide ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[our members in today’s recruiting land- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[scape, yet they represent just a preview ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of the extensive Industry Value Initiative ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[project findings. IADC invites and encour- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ages all members to fully leverage these ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[resources to craft targeted outreach efforts. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[With compelling, research-based messag- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing, we can capture the interest of the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[future workforce. Our success depends ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on conveying what makes this work so ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[meaningful – both to seasoned employees ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and promising newcomers alike. DC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Scan me to access ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the IVI Executive ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Summary and research ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ﬁ ndings. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bit.ly/4b5CudB 41 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="42">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC CONNECTION • 2024 OFFICERS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC Board of Directors elects 2024 officers ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BRAD JAMES, Chair ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[– Northern Ocean ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mr James has served as ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[founding President, CEO ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and Board Member of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Enterprise Offshore Drill- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing since 2016. He previ- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ously served as Senior ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[V P Marketing of Hercules Offshore from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2006 through 2016 . Prior to that he held ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[various leadership roles at Transocean , ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[was founding President of Field Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Company and VP of Southland Drilling. He ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[obtained a Bachelor of Business Adminis- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tration degree from Southwest Texas State ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[University in 1981. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[M r McReaken was named ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[C EO of the Northern Drill- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing and Northern Ocean ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Groups in December 2018. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[He has been a part of the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Seadrill group companies ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[since 2012, where he previously served ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as C EO and Director of Sevan Drilling and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Chief Financial Officer of North Atlantic ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Drilling . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mr McReaken has held various leader- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ship roles in the United States, North Sea, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[West Africa and South America. He began ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[his career at Arthur Andersen and is a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Certified Public Accountant and Certified ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Internal Auditor. He holds a degree in busi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ness administration from the University of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Texas at Austin . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[KEVIN NEVEU, Vice Chair ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[– Precision Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mr Neveu is President, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[C EO and a Director of Pre- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cision Drilling and has ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[held these positions since ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2007. He has 43 years of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[experience in the oilfield ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[services sector, holding various technical, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[marketing and management positions over ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[his career. Mr Neveu holds a Bachelor of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Science degree in mechanical engineer- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing and is a graduate of the University of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Alberta . He has also completed the Harvard ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Advanced Management Program . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ANDY HENDRICKS, Past Chair ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[– Patterson-UTI ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mr Hendricks has served ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as President and C EO of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Patterson-UTI since 2012 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and as a Director of Pat- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[terson-UTI since 2017. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[He was previously Chief ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Operating Officer of the company in 2012. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Prior to Patterson-UTI, he served as Presi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dent of Schlumberger Drilling & Measure- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ments from 2010 to 2012 and had worked ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for Schlumberger in various worldwide ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[locations and capacities since 1988 . Mr ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Hendricks holds a Bachelor of Science in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[petroleum engineering from Texas A&M ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[University. 42 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[SCOTT MCREAKEN, Secretary/Treasurer ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[– Enterprise Offshore Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[TIM McGARITY, Division VP Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Services – NOV ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mr McGarity ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[serves as Director, Western ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Hemisphere Offshore at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[NOV Rig Technologies. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[During his tenure with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[NOV, he has worked both ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[land and offshore in operations and busi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ness development. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Prior to coming to the oilfield, Mr McGar- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ity worked in international shipping for CP ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Ships as the manager of the its government/ ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[military team. He holds a Bachelor of Sci- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ence from Texas A&M Galveston and is a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[veteran of the United States Marine Corps. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[GENE STAHL, Division VP North America ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Onshore – Precision Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mr Stahl was appointed as ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[President, North American ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Drilling of Precision Drill- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing in 2023 and previously ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[held the position of Chief ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Marketing Officer . Since ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[joining Precision Drilling in 1993, he has ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[held positions with increasing responsibil- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ity, including in contracts, investor rela- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tions, engineering, manufacturing, rig con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[struction, procurement, field training and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[development, and HSE . Mr Stahl holds a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the University of Calgary and is a graduate ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of the Harvard Business School, Advanced ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Management Program. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JON RICHARDS, Division VP Offshore ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[– Diamond Offshore Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mr Richards has served ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as Senior V P of World- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wide Operations for Dia- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mond Offshore since ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2020. He started his ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[career as an Operations ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Development Trainee with Diamond Off- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shore in 1997. In his more than 26 years ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the offshore drilling industry since, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[he has held various leadership roles and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[responsibilities managing operations in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the United States, United Kingdom, West ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Africa and Brazil. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mr Richards holds a degree in business ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[management from Texas Tech University . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAMES “JIM” NOWOTNY, Division VP Inter- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[national Onshore – Helmerich & Payne ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mr Nowotny is the Vice ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[President International ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and Offshore Business ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Development at Helmerich ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[& Payne. He has extensive ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[domestic and internation- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[al leadership experience in multiple areas ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of the offshore and land drilling industry, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[including marketing and business develop- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment, commercial and technical contracts, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operations, manufacturing and engineer- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing. He has worked in the energy industry ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[since 1995. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Prior to joining Helmerich & Payne, he ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[worked for an international oilfield equip- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment manufacturer and in various roles ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for Atwood Oceanics . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mr Nowotny has a Bachelor of Science ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[degree in mechanical engineering from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Texas A&M University and has completed ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[several executive education courses at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Columbia Business School, Harvard Law ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[School and Kellogg School of Management ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[at Northwestern University. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="43">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[NEWS CUTTINGS • DEPARTMENTS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Bernie Wolford receives IADC Contractor of the Year honors at Annual Meeting ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Bernie Wolford, President and CEO of Diamond Offshore Drilling, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[was named 2023 IADC Contractor of the Year in November. The ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[annual award was established in 1988 to recognize an individual ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling contractor’s outstanding lifetime achievement in techni- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cal innovation, safety and economic efficiency within the drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry. It is the only industry award reserved solely for drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[contractors. A member of the IADC’s Executive Committee, Mr Wolford ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[was essentially born into the industry. Raised in Kilgore in East ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Texas, his father made a career out of working in the land drill- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing business. After graduating in 1981 with a Bachelor's degree in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mechanical engineering from Texas Tech University, Mr Wolford ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[went to work for TransWorld Drilling as an Engineer, eventu- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ally serving as Project Manager, Drilling Superintendent and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Operations Manager at the company. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[After TransWorld was acquired by Noble in 1991, he went on to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[take significant management positions within the company. In ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2018, he was named CEO of Pacific Drilling, where he remained ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[until April 2021, shortly after Pacific and Noble announced their ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[merger. One month later, Diamond Offshore named him its new ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[President and CEO, the position he currently holds. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Bernie Wolford (right), President and CEO of Diamond Off- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shore Drilling, received the 2023 IADC Contractor of the Year ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[award from Joe Rovig, President, Rig Technologies and After- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[market Group at NOV, at the IADC Annual General Meeting in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Austin, Texas, on 10 November. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC launches all-new ISP ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[database for streamlined ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[data reporting, tracking ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC is introducing a newly revamped ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[system for its Incident Statistics Program ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[(ISP) in January after a year-long devel- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[opment process. The new system gives ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[users direct access so they can upload ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[data into a web-based system, as well as ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[create on-demand, tailored reports con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[taining visual analytics. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Scan me to learn more ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[about the IADC Incident ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Statistics Program. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC's inaugural 3-Gun Competition, held 20 October in Todd Mission, Texas, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[featured 108 participants competing in morning and afternoon shooting ﬂ ights. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The competition raised money for Camp Hope, a Houston-based interim hous- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing facility for combat veterans and their families suffering from PTSD. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC supports DrillersPAC, charity benefitting US combat ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[veterans with inaugural 3-gun shooting competition ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[On 20 October, IADC held its inaugural ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DrillersPAC helps ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[maximize the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bit.ly/3U0sQD6 IADC establishes new ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Geothermal Committee ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[3-Gun Competition to generate aware- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[impact of IADC’s advocacy efforts by ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In December , the new Geothermal ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ness for DrillersPAC, IADC’s political ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[raising money to support political can- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Committee began operation under the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[action committee, and raise funds to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[didates aligned with IADC members’ ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Drilling Services Division of IADC. The ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[support US combat veterans. The compe- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[policy goals. The competition also raised ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[committee, which is chaired by Scott ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tition was held at Renaissance Shooting ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[$11,000 for Camp Hope, an interim hous- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Farmer of Helmerich & Payne, is currently ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Club in Todd Mission, Texas. It consisted ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing facility. It is operated by the PTSD ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[working on guidelines aimed at providing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of a morning shooting flight and an after- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Foundation of America, an organization ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[practical guidance for drilling contractors ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[noon shooting flight, with lunch and a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that helps combat veterans suffering ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and service companies involved in geo- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[raffle in between for all participants. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from post-traumatic stress disorder. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[thermal well construction. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[43 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="44">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC CONNECTION • WIRELINES ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Lease Sale 261 held after multiple delays, draws more than $382 million in high bids ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The US Bureau of Ocean Energy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Management (BOEM) held the Gulf ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of Mexico (GOM) Lease Sale 261 on 20 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[December. The sale generated $382,168,507 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in high bids for 311 tracts covering 1.7 mil- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lion acres in federal waters. A total of 26 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[companies participated in the lease sale, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[submitting 352 bids totaling $441,896,332. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Under a ruling from the US Court of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the BOEM ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[included lease blocks previously exclud- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ed due to potential impacts to the Rice’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[whale population from oil and gas activi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ties in the GOM. Lease Sale 261 offered ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[13,482 unleased blocks on 72.7 million ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[acres in the Gulf’s Western, Central and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Eastern Planning Areas. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The sale had originally been sched- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[uled for 27 September, then again for 8 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[November, in response to judicial orders. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In a statement issued on 20 December, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[API VP of Upstream Policy Holly Hopkins ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[said, "Despite policy headwinds, this sale ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[generated the highest bid amount in near- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ly a decade, demonstrating that our indus- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[try is working to meet growing demand ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and investing in the nation’s long-term ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[energy security." ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[NSTA awards 27 licenses for North Sea E&P in latest round ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[North Sea UK production received a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[boost on 30 October with the award of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[27 new licenses from the UK North Sea ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Transition Authority (NSTA) in areas that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have the potential to go into production ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more quickly than others. Additionally, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[six more blocks, which were also ready ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to be offered, have been merged into five ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[existing licenses. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The 33rd Oil and Gas Licensing Round ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[was launched on 7 October 2022 with 931 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[blocks and part-blocks. In total, NSTA ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[received 115 applications from 76 compa- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nies for 258 blocks/part-blocks when the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[application window closed on 12 January ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2023. This was the highest participation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[since the 29th Round in 2016-2017. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[All blocks that were awarded ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[have been through the initial Habitat ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Regulation Assessment (HRA) and do not ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[require further assessment. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[There are currently 284 offshore fields ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in production in the UK North Sea and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[an estimated 5.25 billion BOE in total ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[projected production to 2050. Oil and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gas currently contribute approximate- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ly three-quarters of the UK's domestic ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[energy needs. Further, the UK oil and gas ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry supports approximately 200,000 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[jobs and contributes £16 billion to the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[economy each year. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[A recommendation for the remaining ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[203 blocks will be made once the HRA ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[process has been completed. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BSEE issues energy infrastructure decom decision ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In December, the US Bureau of Safety ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Impact Statement (PEIS) process for Oil ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and Gas Decommissioning Activities on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[published a Record of Decision (ROD) ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the Pacific OCS. The final PEIS was pub- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for the decommissioning of offshore ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lished on 27 October 2023 and recom- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[energy infrastructure on the Pacific ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mended the selection of the alternative ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The deci- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of complete removal of all oil and gas ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sion provides a systemic pathway for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[equipment and facilities on the Pacific ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the removal of obsolete offshore oil and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[OCS. Twenty-three California oil and gas ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gas infrastructure following site-spe- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[platforms, all installed between the late ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cific environmental assessments and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[1960s and 1990, are subject to eventual ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[approved decommissioning plans. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[decommissioning. The ROD will guide BSEE on all ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The decision also documents that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[future decommissioning applications to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[prior to decommissioning, a facility ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[remove oil and gas platforms, associated ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[must undergo a National Environmental ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pipelines and other facilities offshore ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Policy Act review that will assess a vari- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Southern California. It is the culmina- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ety of potential environmental impacts ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion of the Programmatic Environmental ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from infrastructure removal. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[44 She also added, "Although today’s con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gressionally mandated lease sale is a posi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tive step after multiple delays, the lack ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of any offshore sales in the year ahead is ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a prime example of the administration’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[failure to implement a long-term energy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[strategy. We urge the administration to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[reconsider its shortsighted approach and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[plan today for tomorrow’s energy demand.” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In December, the Biden administration ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[issued its final five-year offshore leasing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[program. However, 2024 is expected to be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the first year since 1966 without an off- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[shore lease sale. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[US EPA proposes rule ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to establish fee on methane ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[emissions in oil and gas ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[On 12 January, the US Environmental ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Protection Agency (EPA) announced a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[proposed rule that would assess a charge ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on emitters of waste methane from the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[oil and gas sector that exceed emissions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[intensity levels set by the US Congress. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The Inflation Reduction Act established ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a Waste Emissions Charge for methane ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from certain oil and gas facilities that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[report emissions of more than 25,000 met- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ric tons of CO 2 equivalent per year to the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. As ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[directed by Congress, the Waste Emissions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Charge starts at $900 per metric ton of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wasteful emissions in 2024, increasing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to $1,200 for 2025 and $1,500 for 2026 and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[beyond. It only applies to emissions that ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[exceed the statutorily specified levels. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The EPA’s proposed rule addresses ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[details regarding how the charge will be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[implemented, including the calculation of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the charge and how exemptions from the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[charge will be applied. Facilities in com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pliance with the recently finalized Clean ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Air Act standards for oil and gas opera- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tions would be exempt from the charge ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[after certain criteria set by Congress are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[met. JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Scan me to read the EPA's ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Fact Sheet on the Waste ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Emissions Charge. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bit.ly/47UCkTT ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="45">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[UPCOMING IADC EVENTS • IADC CONNECTION ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC DRILLING ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[AFRICA Conference & Exhibition ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[20-21 FEBRUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[HILTON W I N D H O E K , ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[HOTEL N A M I B I A ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC DRILLING ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ONSHORE 6-7 JUNE 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[WYNN LAS VEGAS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[L AS VEGAS , N E VA DA ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Conference & Exhibition ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[16 MAY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[HYATT REGENCY ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[HOUSTON WEST ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[H O USTO N , TE X AS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2024 IADC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Conference & Exhibition ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[18-19 JUNE 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[NOVOTEL MADRID CENTER ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[M A D R I D, S PAI N ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[To register for these and other conferences please visit us online at www.iadc.org/conferences/upcoming. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[45 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="46">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC CONNECTION • DRILLING CONTRACTOR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DON’T MISS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[OUT ON OUR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[NEXT ISSUE! ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[March/April Editorial Preview ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Innovating While Drilling*: ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[	◊ 	◊ ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[AD CLOSING: ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[16 FEBRUARY ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Managed Pressure Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[MATERIALS DUE: ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[23 FEBRUARY ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Rotary Steerable Systems ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Hydraulic Fracturing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[	◊ Market Update: Drilling in the Caspian ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DISTRIBUTION: drillingcontractor.org/ ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mediakit SPE/ICoTA Well Intervention Conference ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[[19-20 MARCH, THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS] ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[AADE Fluids Tech Conference & Exhibition ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[[16-17 APRIL, HOUSTON, TEXAS] ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DRILLING CONTRACTORS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Videos 46 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[* “Innovating While Drilling® (IWD)” is a trademark of the International ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Association of Drilling Contractors and Drilling Contractor. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Visit DrillingContractor.org for the latest drilling industry news and videos ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[	» Corva, Nabors see early ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[results from partnership on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[automation system ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[	» IADC Southern Arabian ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Peninsula Chapter continues ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[work on HSE, begins ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sustainability initiative ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[	» IADC signs collaboration ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[agreement with Oman’s ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[OPAL 	» Service company award ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[caps eventful year for IADC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Permian Basin Chapter ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[	» Industry champions critical ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to providing sustainable ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[future for oil and gas ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[	» Raymond James: Despite ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[energy transition push, oil ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and gas expected to remain ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[key part of energy mix ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="47">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[PEOPLE, COMPANIES & PRODUCTS • DE PAR TM E NTS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Chesapeake, Southwestern Energy agree to merge ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Chesapeake Energy ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Corp and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Southwestern Energy have agreed to be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[combined in an all-stock transaction ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[valued at $7.4 billion. The combined ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[$24 billion natural gas company, which ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will assume a new name at closing, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[will pull together large-scale acreage in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Appalachia and the Haynesville Shale. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Together, the companies' assets have a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[current net production of approximately ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[7.9 billion cu ft/day, with more than 5,000 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[gross locations. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mike Wichterich will serve as Non- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Executive Chairman and Nick Dell'Osso ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as President and CEO. The combined ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[company anticipates it will retain ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Chesapeake's headquarters in Oklahoma ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[City but will also maintain "a material ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[presence in Houston." ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[According to Wood Mackenzie, the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[merger will create a company that pro- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[duces 3.3 billion cu ft/day, owns over 20% ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of Haynesville production and controls ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[over 600,000 net acres. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Arabian Drilling orders additional top drives from Kenera ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Kenera has secured a contract to deliv- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[er five top drives and five iron rough- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[necks to Arabian Drilling for newbuild ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rigs to be operated in Saudi Arabia. The ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[order follows a previous contract for five ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[top drives awarded in September 2023. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Kenera's Bentec business unit will ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[deliver the top drives, which will offer ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[remote monitoring and troubleshooting ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[through Bentec's digital service platform, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rigCARE, to optimize the drilling process ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and reduce well delivery times. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[KCA Deutag, Pruitt join forces to provide MPD solutions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[KCA Deutag and Pruitt have signed an ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[exclusive partnership agreement to col- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[laborate globally on managed pressure ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling (MPD) opportunities. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The partnership provides Pruitt with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[access to KCA Deutag’s resources, rig ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[engineering, and supply and manufac- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[turing bases in Europe and the Middle ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[East, while KCA Deutag will benefit from ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the inclusion of Pruitt’s MPD solutions in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[its drilling operations. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Pipe manufacturing plant ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wins LEED certification ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Tenaris’ Bay City, Texas, plant has ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[received Leadership in Energy and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Environmental Design (LEED) certification ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[– the first pipe manufacturing facility in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the U S to achieve this designation. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The U S Green Building Council has ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[recorded fewer than 10 LEED-certified ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industrial projects in the US since 2010 . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Halliburton partners with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Oil States on MPD solutions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Halliburton and Oil States Industries are ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[collaborating to develop managed pres- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sure drilling (MPD) solutions that provide ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[improved control in narrow pressure win- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dows in deepwater. The collaboration will ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[provide operators and drilling contractors ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with an MPD product-service combination ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to safely access greater operational effi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ciencies like ease of handling and stream- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[lined installation. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mark Moffat takes reins ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from Darren Roos as IFS CEO ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IFS has promoted Mark Moffat to CEO , ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[taking over from Darren Roos, who has ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[been appointed as the company’s Chair of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the Board. Mr Moffat was previously IFS' ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Chief Customer Officer and held several ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[senior positions at PwC before joining IFS. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mark Ritchie heads up ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Enteq's new Aberdeen office ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Enteq Technologies has opened a new ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[office in Aberdeen that will function as the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[company's support services headquarters . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mark Ritchie, Enteq's recently appointed ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CFO, will head up this UK office. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Research project targets ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[extended-reach needles ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[port Velesto with rig moves to adja- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cent countries, including Vietnam, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Indonesia or Thailand, over a one- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[year period. ABL is expected to survey ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and approve 14-16 rig moves offshore ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Malaysia for Velesto ’s six-rig fleet dur- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing the period. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[AGR lands new contract ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in Guinea-Bissau ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Aker BP and Fishbones have begun a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[technology development project focusing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on extended-reach needles, small-diam- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[eter laterals that penetrate reservoirs to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[increase recovery. The aim is to extend ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the reach of existing Fishbones needles ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[by 50%, from 12 m to 18 m, which will ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[enable the efficiency of the company's lat- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[eral stimulation technology. The Research ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Council of Norway is backing the project ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with a NOK 1.25 million grant. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BIO-UV to supply ballast ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[water system for drillships ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BIO-UV Group has received an order ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ABL secures rig moving deal ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with Velesto Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[AGR has secured a contract with ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[from an offshore drilling contractor based ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Apus Energia Guinea-Bissau for a deep- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the United Arab Emirates to supply the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[water exploration well . AGR will pro- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BIO-SEA ballast water treatment system ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ABL has been awarded a contract by ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[vide consultancy in well construction, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to a pair of drillships . The order calls for ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Velesto Drilling to provide marine war- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[drilling engineering, procurement, sup- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the delivery of a modular version of the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ranty survey services relating to rig moves ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ply chain management and operational ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[system , and the units will provide for flow ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[offshore Malaysia. ABL will also sup- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[supervision of the drilling. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[capacities up to 750 cu m/hr. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[47 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="48">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DE PAR TM E NTS • PEOPLE, COMPANIES & PRODUCTS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Products New completion tools target ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[efficiency, cost savings ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Native capabilities added to Industrial Work Surface ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[KLX Energy Services has introduced ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[its VISION Suite of downhole completions ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tools, delivering advanced engineering ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and customized solutions for downhole ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[operations. The suite includes OraclE- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[SRT (smart reach tool), Spectra PDC and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[PhantM dissolvable frac plugs. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Spectra PDC, KLX’s downhole thru tub- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing motor system, is designed to eliminate ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nonproductive time on long lateral runs. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The motor bearing pack’s design utilizes ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[PDC inserts with significantly fewer parts ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[than a traditional ball bearing pack. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The OracleE-SRT is a downhole thru ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tubing extended-reach tool that can be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fully manipulated from the surface to turn ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on and off. The PhantM dissolvable frac ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[plugs are designed to minimize the need ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for interventions . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[advanced K-Spice and LedaFlow simula- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Solution makes treating ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[produced water easier ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ability of simulations . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Adaptive Process Solutions (APS) has ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[introduced its Microbubble Infusion Unit ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[(MiFU) to address challenges related to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[aging assets and reservoirs to efficiently ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and effectively clean produced water so ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that it meets regulatory standards before it ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[can be discharged back into the sea. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The APS MiFU is capable of processing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[between 1,000 and 100,000 bbl/day of water ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and can remove up to 90% of oil and con- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[taminants from produced water without ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the need for downstream filtration. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[New snapback technology ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[adds to mooring systems ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Samson has launched Defender Fuse , ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Kongsberg Digital has added the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tion technology natively to its Industrial ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Work Surface. These tools can now be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fully automated with a collaborative ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and open environment. This integration ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[allows for simulation in the context of all ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[other work tasks, enabling users to lever- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[age the value of simulation in real time. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Users can now easily link simula- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tions to time-series data, ensuring their ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[simulations match reality. By perform- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing simulations on real-time data, the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Kognitwin platform generates accurate ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[digital replicas of assets, which can ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[be leveraged for near-infinite virtual ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[insights. These insights include virtual ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sensors, equipment performance analy- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ses and sub-system optimizations . The ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[cloud-based platform allows for the scal- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Users can present simulation results ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in the context where they are most rel- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[evant. Other data sources can be com- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[pared and leveraged to quickly evaluate ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[simulation results, providing a compre- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[hensive understanding of asset perfor- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mance. Additionally, simulations can be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[triggered as part of events or workflows, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[enabling forecasting and look-ahead ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[simulations for daily reporting or shift ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[handovers. Improved mixing technology receives new US patent ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ProSep recently ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[received official ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[acknowledgment from the US Patent ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Office for improvements made to its ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Annual Injection Mixer , resulting in a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[new patent being issued. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The mixer provides an alternative to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[traditional injection quills and static ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mixers. The improvements noted in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[patent optimize the energy transfer of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a result, there is a greater surface area of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the process fluid to the injected phase, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the additive to be used, reducing the need ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[leading to enhanced additive disper- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for overdosing. Field data indicates addi- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sion throughout the process stream. As ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tive savings of 20% to 60% are possible. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a product designed to complement stan- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[dard mooring systems . It is an advanced ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[overload warning system engineered to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[mitigate snapback situations and can be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[added to any mooring system without ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[line replacement . The product's trigger ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[deploys at a specific percentage of the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ship design MBL (MBLsd). The catch ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[material will continue to elongate until ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[it reaches its final length, up to 150% ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[more than its original, before complete ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rupture. 48 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[App helps to streamline wellsite personnel management ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Intelligent Wellhead Systems has ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[launched Wellsite Watch, an application ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[providing digital and simplified person- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[nel management for wellsite operations ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[personnel. It can be accessed via per- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sonal devices or tablets with an intel- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ligent digital sign-in either directly via ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the application or by scanning a QR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[code. Digital check-in and -out replaces ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[clipboards and paper. Data is handled ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[electronically with cloud backup and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[maintenance to provide a consistently ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[up-to-date roster . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The app also incorporates digital HSE ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[information and acknowledgement ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[forms for easy sign-off . Digital injury ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and hazard identification is also avail- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[able through Wellsite Watch . ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="49">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[AD INDEX ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[AADE ....................................................................... 51 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Noble Corporation .......................................49 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Abaco Drilling Technologies .................52 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Total Oilﬁ eld Equipment & ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Supply, LLC ........................................................5 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Drilling Contractor 2024 Media Kit.......6 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[IADC Bookstore .............................................. 37 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[TSC Drill Pipe ..................................................... 19 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Intelligent Wellhead Systems ............... 15 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Wild Well Control .............................................2 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Global Sales Manager ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[For all sales inquiries regarding Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Contractor, official magazine of the International ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Association of Drilling Contractors, please ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[contact: BILL KRULL ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Phone: +1-713-292-1954 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Cell: +1-713-201-6155 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[bill.krull@iadc.org See the latest issue! ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Sign up for DrillBits ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[www.iadc.org/ drillbits ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[www.iadc.org/ newsletter-signup ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Drilling Contractor / IADC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Houston HQ ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[LINDA HSIEH - Vice President, Editor & Publisher ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[linda.hsieh@iadc.org STEPHEN WHITFIELD - Senior Editor ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[stephen.whitfield@iadc.org BRIAN C. PARKS - Creative Director ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[brian.parks@iadc.org ANTHONY GARWICK - Director – Web & IT Services ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[anthony.garwick@iadc.org Find us online ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Stop by our LinkedIn page to join the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[conversation, keep up with news and conference ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[updates on Facebook and Twitter, then check ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[out our YouTube video channel! ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[10,920+ Followers ]]></paragraph>
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		<paragraph><![CDATA[D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R • JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[49 ]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="50">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[DEPARTMENTS • PERSPECTIVES ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Rob Holbrook, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Rapad Drilling: ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Relationships, open-mindedness ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[key to long career ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in oil and gas ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[BY STEPHEN WHITFIELD, SENIOR EDITOR ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[If Rob Holbrook, VP at Rapad Drilling, were ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to list the key factors behind his three- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[decade career in oil and gas, curiosity ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[would probably be at the top. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[He loved math and science growing up ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and wanted to be an engineer, but he had ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[no connection to the oil and gas industry ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and never thought of it as a viable career. It ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[wasn’t until he graduated from high school ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in 1988 and took on summer jobs working ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[for an operator on the Gulf Coast that he ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[truly developed an interest in the industry. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Those summer jobs kick-started his ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[love for the oilfield and a curiosity about ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[what an oilfield life and career would be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[like. This curiosity led him to a petroleum ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[engineering degree, followed by a full- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[time job roughnecking on land rigs. That ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[job then led him to realize how much he ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[needed to learn about how rigs operate, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[so he took on another job, and another, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and another. Now, Mr Holbrook could not ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[imagine being anywhere else. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“The ups and downs are a part of life here, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of course, but no matter what some people ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[say, this industry isn’t going anywhere any- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[time soon,” he said. “If you can work hard, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[be open minded, think outside the box and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[learn to be an asset wherever you end up, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[you will make it in this industry.” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Mr Holbrook grew up on a dairy farm ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in Magee, Miss., hunting and fishing and ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[playing football and baseball. Although ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[he enrolled in Mississippi College, a small ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[institution 50 miles from his hometown, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in 1988 on a baseball scholarship, he ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[had his sights on becoming an engineer. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Eventually he transferred to Mississippi ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[50 State University and began a double major ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[in petroleum and chemical engineering. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Around the same time, he took on a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[summer job at UnoCal (now a subsidiary of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Chevron), working in Southern Louisiana ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and in Houston. He came to love life in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[field – it reminded him of his time on the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[farm. So, heading into his senior year, he ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[decided to drop the double major and focus ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[just on petroleum engineering. “I realized ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[that I would need to be one or the other, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and the extra degree wasn’t going to help ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[me much,” he said. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Upon graduation in spring 1993, Mr ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Holbrook had a few job offers lined up, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[but he chose to work for Chelsey Pruet ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Drilling, a drilling contractor based out of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Jackson. It was a local company, with its ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[headquarters just about an hour north of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[his hometown, and he liked that it was ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[a “strong, family-owned company with a ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[great reputation.” ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The company initially sent Mr Holbrook ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to the field, wanting him work the first ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[year as a roughneck on a land rig before ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[coming into the office. Having grown up ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[on a farm, he figured he would like work- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing outdoors on the rig, and as it turned ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[out, he loved the job. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[After that first year, he asked to stay in ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the field and spent another year working ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[motors and derricks, then two more years ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[as a driller and a toolpusher: “One year ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[turned into four, and I loved every minute ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[of it,” he said. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“If you can work hard, be ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[open minded, think outside ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the box and learn to be an ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[asset wherever you end ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[up, you will make it in this ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[industry.” - Rob Holbrook ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In 1997, Chelsey Pruet Drilling sold its ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[rigs to Nabors Industries, and Mr Holbrook ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[began working for Nabors as Drilling ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Superintendent for the Mississippi/ ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Alabama region. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In 2001, the Pruet family formed a new ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[company, Rapad Drilling, reviving the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[name of a defunct company the family ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[had owned in the early 1980s. Mr Holbrook ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[joined Rapad the same year. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[In 2023, the IADC Mississippi and Lafay- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ette chapters merged to form the Gulf ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Coast Chapter. Rob Holbrook, who had ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[previously served as Chair of the Mis- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[sissippi Chapter, now serves as one of ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[two Vice Chairs for the new chapter. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[He currently serves as Vice President at ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[the company, which has built up its fleet ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to nine land rigs, including two 2,000-hp, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[super spec AC rigs, as of early 2024. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Long-term relationships also define Mr ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Holbrook’s time with IADC. He first became ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[active with IADC in the early 1990s, but he ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[didn’t he agree to take on a leadership ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[role until the early 2000s. In 2003, he ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[became Chairman of the then-Mississippi ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Chapter, succeeding then-Chapter Chair ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Rod Freeman. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The two have worked together in leader- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ship roles with the chapter for much of the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[past 20 years, primarily organizing social ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[events like luncheons and an annual golf ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[tournament. In 2023, recognizing that there are now ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[fewer drilling contractors working in the ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[region, the Mississippi Chapter merged ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[with the Lafayette Chapter to form the Gulf ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Coast Chapter. Mr Freeman took over as ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Chair of the new chapter, and Mr Holbrook ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[took over as one of two Vice Chairs, serv- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ing alongside David Cothren. The newly ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[merged chapter held its first golf tourna- ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ment this past October in Gulfport, Miss. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The group is still considering how to ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[proceed for the future, but Mr Holbrook ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[said the aim will continue to focus on ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[providing a forum for members to network ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[and exchange ideas and best practices. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[“Right now, the focus is on continuing ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[to do what we’ve been doing, and we’ll ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[see what else we can do beyond that,” he ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[said. DC ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[JAN UARY/FEB RUARY 2024 • D R I LLI N G CO N T R ACTO R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="51">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[TH E AME R I CAN ASSOCI ATI ON OF D R IL L IN G EN G IN EER S ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[2024 THE PRE ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[PREMIER REMM IEIEIEIER R ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[RE TECHNN ICICICICICICICICAL ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[AL CONFERENCE ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[C ONF ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ONFEREN TECHNICAL ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[AND EXHIBITION ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[E X HI ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[HIBB ITI ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ITIOO N ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Ap r i l 1 6 - 1 7 , 2 0 2 4 | Ma r r i o t t M a r q ui s | Ho usto n, T e xas ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The future is ﬂuid ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[- J a c q u e F r e s c o ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[CONFERENCE TOPICS ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[REGISTER TODAY ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Connect with peers and absorb knowledge from industry front runners on emerging ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[technologies and tactics aimed at generating signiﬁcant results. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[The Exhibition and Conference sessions will delve into topics encompassing case ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[studies, enhancements, and pioneering developments in drilling operations. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Attend to witness innovation in practice, listen, and gain valuable insights. ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Find more information on sponsorships, ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[exhibiting and registration: ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[www.aade.org Automation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Clear Brine Fluids ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Drilling Fluids ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Environmental & ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Regulatory Matters ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[ESG Initiatives ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Lost Circulation ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[LC Pills ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Reservoir Drill-In Fluids ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Rheology & Hydraulics ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Shale Inhibition ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Solids Control ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Specialty Fluids ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Test Equipment ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Well Integrity ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[Wellbore Stability ]]></paragraph>
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
	<page pageNumber="52">
		<paragraph><![CDATA[]]></paragraph>
	</page>
</results>