OpenLab Drilling: Paving the Way for DrillTronics' Success

OpenLab has played a crucial role in the development and quallification of DrillTronics, a cutting-edge drilling automation software. Developed over the last two decades, DrillTronics utilizes self-calibrating models created by NORCE and commercialized by Sekal AS. The use of OpenLab has allowed for extensive testing, refinement, and integration with other technologies, culminating in its deployment in the field.

Sekal AS, the owner of the DrillTronics technology, has worked closely together with NORCE and OpenLab during the quallification of this technology prior to installation on the Transocean Enabler drilling rig. This deployment was instrumental in the successful drilling of two carbon injection wells in Q3 and Q4 of 2022, as a part of the Northern Lights carbon transport and storage project—a joint venture by Equinor, Shell, and TotalEnergies.

Helga Gjeraldstveit, Research Director at NORCE, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "We are honored to have contributed to the success of CO2 storage on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Recognizing that cost efficiency is paramount to accelerate CO2 storage, we remain confident that OpenLab will continue to be a key player in this endeavor."

OpenLab is now actively seeking funding from the Research Council of Norway to expand its capabilities beoynd CO2, petroleum and geothermal drilling operations. These expansions include addressing Hydrogen and CO2 leakage, ensuring well integrity, and enhancing OpenLab's integration with other European R&D infrastructures and centers.

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