Perenco, in collaboration with SLB and DrillOps™ automation, achieved a 19% increase in rate of penetration (ROP) during a 2025 campaign in the Republic of the Congo.
The rig automation system automated 97% of on-bottom operations, reduced pre and post-connection times by 59% and 53% respectively, and enabled a 97% average correlation factor for automated downlinks.
Additionally, 73% of directional drilling decision making was done independently with Neuro™ autonomous directional drilling, reducing both tortuosity and number of required downlinks. These advancements resulted in improved operational efficiency, reduced downtime, and enhanced wellbore quality, setting a new benchmark for future deployments.
While executing manual operations, Perenco faced challenges in maximizing drilling efficiency and consistency. By adopting automation technology, they aimed to streamline operations, optimize key drilling processes, and achieve better results through data-driven technology.
To reach these outcomes, Perenco worked with SLB to deploy DrillOps automation, and Neuro autonomous directional drilling, focusing on automating connections and directional drilling, optimizing on-bottom performance, and reducing risk and overall downtime, without compromising safety or wellbore integrity.
By the end of the three-well campaign post-deployment, DrillOps automation was in control of 97% of on-bottom operations, leading to a 19% increase in ROP. The system automated connection procedures, achieving a 59% reduction in pre-connection times, and a 53% reduction in post-connection times. Additionally, all downlinks were performed automatically, with an average correlation factor of 97%, demonstrating the precision of machine automated operations.
Neuro™ autonomous directional drilling was also implemented to automate directional operations, which reduced the number of required downlinks, and decreased overall well tortuosity by 33% compared to manually drilled offsets.
The technology also demonstrated its ability to enhance safety by identifying and mitigating potential pack-off events before they escalated. When encountered, the system automatically identified the pack-off event and autonomously transitioned the rig to a safe state without requiring human intervention.
Together, these accomplishments highlight the significant impact that advanced drilling automation can have on improving offshore operational efficiency. By embracing innovative technologies and fostering close collaboration between teams, Perenco augmented drilling efficiency, safety, and set a new benchmark for operational excellence.
