Azule Energy sought to modernize its drilling operations by adopting digital solutions to streamline workflows, reduce manual tasks, and enhance accuracy. The company aimed to leverage local talent and cutting-edge technology to improve efficiency and consistency across its operations. Prior to implementing solutions from SLB, Azule faced challenges with time-intensive manual processes and limited integration between planning and execution phases, which hindered operational performance. Azule’s goal was to implement a fully digital workflow that would both reduce planning and execution time while streamlining data exchange between both.
Azule Energy implemented DrillPlan solutions, which automated 95% of engineering tasks and reduced design and planning time from 192 hours to just 31 hours. The solution also minimized manual handoffs by 75%, ensuring greater accuracy and consistency in well planning. This achievement marked a significant milestone, as the first well planned entirely in DrillPlan solutions by an Angolan team, showcasing the strength of local talent and commitment to digital transformation.
Building on this success, Azule deployed DrillOps automation to enhance drilling performance through rig automation. The technology digitally ingested the well plan created in DrillPlan solutions and enabled the autonomous drilling of a 2,000-meter section with zero NPT, achieving a 16% increase in net rate of penetration (ROP) compared to the field benchmark. Connection automation further reduced pre-connection time by 47% and post-connection time by 25%, demonstrating the efficiency of automated operations.
The integration of DrillPlan solutions and DrillOps automation not only improved operational efficiency but also set a new standard for collaboration and innovation in the region. Azule’s success story highlights the transformative potential of digital solutions in driving performance and operational excellence.
