Remote Operations: The New Norm

Abstract In recent years, we have seen some refined drilling technologies crop up all over the world. These have given rise to implementation of remote centers to work on real time decision making with the wells. While drilling is in process, there are technologies that enable real time transmission of data and voice to and from remote sites, helping in real time intelligent commands and responses. It is hence now possible to form a single team of experts to monitor and control drilling operations. The development of remote operations in the oil and gas industry has evolved over years starting 2004 at different speeds in different regions of the world. For example, it took longer to reach the US land market because of resistance to change at the rig site. The decrease in oil prices in 2014 however, pushed remote operations into existence to reduce cost. Due to challenges such as either oilfield culture, company strategy, human factor, legal factor etc., it was not exactly the "norm". Fast forward to 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the oil industry into another slump, service companies have been pushed into the remote operations world. To learn with the times, this may be the new norm and maybe an excellent one. Many service companies have successfully performed operations wells globally increasing not only the efficiency of wellsite operations but also contributing to cost optimization and safety. During implementation, it is observed that remote operations are less a technical challenge, and more a value challenge requiring confidence from all stakeholders. In terms of drilling and operational efficiency, the results observed globally are significant, with fewer trips for M/LWD failure, as well as significant reductions in M/LWD NPT while drilling. This paper discusses the implementation of remote operations at global scale, lesson learnt on day-to-day basis, optimization opportunities, business workflow, positives such as business continuity, safety aspect and last but not the least, the environmental impact. The paper also talks of changes and effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on these operations. Remote operations prepare us well for such pandemic and it may be the safer way to operate now on. Also discussed are the keys to successful remote operations and various examples of remote operations establishments throughout the globe. Lastly a SWOT analysis is done to conclude how remote operations will help operators to add more value to operations and show that remote operations is the new future.