Automated Drilling Program through Digital Well Construction Planning Framework: A Case Study from Malaysia
Authors: Goo J. , Chovanetz K. , Chuah C. , Macleod A. , Liew A. , Hardev P. , Jong S. , Affandi S. , Garg R. , Vivegananthan D. 
Published: August 2024

Effective well design constitutes a collaborative effort involving well engineers and diverse subject-matter experts, encompassing the entire well construction process. Traditionally, this process has relied heavily on manual data consolidation and iterative revisions at various project maturity stages. This paper elucidates the transformative impact of digitalization initiatives within well planning stages, achieved through a digital decision gate system. This system ultimately facilitated the automation of generating the Drilling Program and regulatory-required Notice of Operations (NOOP).

The process of digitizing operations began with a thorough assessment that explored the evolving digital landscape in well planning. This assessment aimed to digitize the existing manual workflows, identify data analytics requirements, foster collaboration among previously isolated teams using different software systems, and facilitate data exchange. The ultimate effort was to construct a holistic digital project framework encompassing the scoping, planning, design, operation, and eventual close-out stages. A user-friendly cloud-based solution was implemented to facilitate this transition, granting stakeholders access to a web-based platform. This platform streamlined planning through digitized standardization and task automation in well engineering. Furthermore, comprehensive data management within well engineering and its open environment contributed to orchestrating multiple planning workflows and expediting the delivery of well programs.

The Malaysia case study demonstrated the successful application of digital strategies in well design. The digital platform fostered an open environment that enhanced design optimization and encouraged the exchange of expertise. It seamlessly incorporated calculations and results from the company's standardized well engineering suite, preserving workflow continuity without interruptions. Additionally, this platform provided service partners with the capability to document their specialized knowledge and innovations within a unified framework. The platform's project management capabilities ensured transparent progress monitoring, aligning stakeholders, and maintaining accountability. Rigorous digital technical assurance validated and ensured well design data's accuracy, compliance, and completeness with the company's predefined standards and criteria. The automated process eliminated the need for manual intervention when updating the drilling program, maintaining data integrity and consistency throughout the entire drilling planning process. As a result, the platform effectively streamlined the well design for 14 wells over a year. It amplified the synergy across more than 12 multidisciplinary teams, ultimately yielding a 40% (70 days) reduction in design cycle time and a 60% (28 days) decrease in time required for manual report generation.

The paper offers key insights for operators embarking on the digitalization journey in front-end well engineering. This study showcases the revolutionary impact of digital technologies, paving the way for future digital advancements. This effort represents a notable addition to the existing literature, emphasizing the significance of collaboration, automated well-planning workflows, data-driven decision-making, and technology adoption in attaining optimal well-construction performance.