Technology

The offshore well was drilled from onshore using directional drilling technologies. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The drilling of an offshore exploration well from onshore using advanced directional drilling technologies has resulted in a new gas discovery offshore Egypt

Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has announced a new natural gas discovery in the Nile Delta region, with estimated production rates of around 50 Mmcf/d. The discovery follows the successful drilling of the exploratory well (Nidoco N-2) within the West Madi concession area, operated by Italy's Eni in partnership with the UK's bp and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation, through Petrobel, the joint company between EGPC and Eni.

 Eng. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, visited the EDC-56 drilling rig, which executed the well operations in the West Abu Madi area in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate. The well is located approximately 3 km offshore in shallow waters with a depth of around 10 m. The well was drilled from onshore using state-of-the-art directional drilling technologies, contributing to cost optimisation and enhanced operational efficiency.

This is in line with the government’s focus on bringing in and localising modern technologies that contribute to increasing petroleum and gas productivity while reducing time and cost, in co-operation with leading service companies, drilling and technology solution providers, and production partners. The Minister in February announced that the petroleum sector is accelerating the implementation of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies, which enable access to oil and gas resources that are difficult to exploit through conventional methods, with the aim of increasing oil and gas production rates within the sector's five-year plan.

The Minister said that this discovery, alongside increased production from existing fields, reflects the Petroleum Sector's success in settling dues owed to foreign partners, with full clearance targeted by the end of June, highlighting the state's commitment to strengthening partner confidence and fostering an attractive investment environment. He added that the regular settlement of dues has encouraged partners to intensify upstream activities, increase drilling and production rates, and expand the development of mature fields by extending agreement periods that helped attract new investments to these areas.

Situated less than 2 km away from the nearest production facilities, the well's proximity to existing infrastructure enables rapid connection to the network within the coming weeks and the start of early production, enhancing capital efficiency.

The Minister also noted that the discovery represents a model for maximising the utilisation of existing infrastructure, increasing production rates, and supporting gas supply to the domestic market. It also highlights Eni's continued success in exploration and production activities across its concession areas.

The new discovery follows Eni’s gas and condensate discovery in the Temsah concession in the Eastern Mediterranean in April, with preliminary estimates of about 2 trillion cubic feet of gas and 130 million barrels of associated condensates. The Denise W discovery lies 70 km offshore in 95 m of water depth and less than 10 km from existing infrastructure, offering potential for a fast-track development.

The Egyptian government is encouraging investment and incentivising exploration and production to reverse years of decline and reduce energy imports, a drive which is being given additional impetus by the current situation in the Middle East. These efforts seem to be paying off, with a number of promising discoveries being made recently. 

SLB's solution provides precise measurements at the critical point of first contact between the drill bit and the formation, providing unsurpassed image clarity. (Image source: SLB)

Several innovative drilling technologies have been recognised at the OTC 2026 Spotlight on New Technology Awards

They include:

KeyDrill Gyro While Drilling (GWD) System – This innovative technology ensures accurate trajectory control, enabling smooth and efficient drilling operations. It features a rugged, fully retrievable design that provides a revolutionary solution for downhole navigation by enabling accurate, dependable wellbore gyroscopic surveys as well as real-time gravity and north toolface measurements during drilling. Unaffected by magnetic interference, the system delivers exceptional precision and reliability. Moreover, the KGWD system integrates seamlessly with a range of MWD modules and LWD tools, including Resistivity tool, Azimuthal Gamma Tool, KPWD tool, and Rotary Steerable System (RSS).

OilStates MPD Drill Ahead Tool – An industry first, this tool streamlines managed pressure drilling (MPD) operations by allowing packer installation without removing and re-installing the drill string. Its notched piston-and-spring assembly eliminates the need for extra trips to the surface, significantly reducing downtime and operating costs during MPD equipment deployment.

SLB Retina at-bit imaging system – This groundbreaking technology redefines formation evaluation by converting measurements taken at the drill bit into high-quality borehole images. Retina system captures formation details to visualise and characterise layers, bedding dips, thin beds, fractures, and textural variations without interference from any type of drilling fluid. The raw data is processed to create a high-resolution borehole image for formation characterisation and rock properties qualification. In the Middle East, Retina revealed the presence of fractures and vugs (small cavities or pores within the rock) in carbonate formations, providing critical information for predicting and preventing mud losses. During another field test in the Middle East, the tool also provided high-resolution images of stylolites, which act as pressure barriers, allowing for a better understanding of productive zones.

CNPC USA Corporation — UltraSense — UHTHP Bit Intelligence – This technology integrates ultra-high-temperature sensors, electronics, and onboard storage into a drill bit to directly measure rock-bit drilling dynamics. Operating up to 420 °F and 30,000 psi, it enables measurements in ultra-deep HPHT wells. It records temperature, shock, vibration, and rotation to diagnose drilling dysfunctions, optimise performance, reduce downtime, and advance intelligent drilling and drill-bit design.

The OTC 2026 Spotlight on New Technology Awards celebrate the most impactful advances shaping the future of offshore energy. 17 breakthrough technologies were highlighted that bring fresh thinking and improved performance across drilling, completions, subsea systems, AI and more. They are selected for originality, technical ingenuity, demonstrated results and commercial potential, promising to improve safety, efficiency and sustainability across the offshore value chain. From autonomous well construction and advanced bit intelligence to AI-driven geotechnical models and next-generation subsea push systems, the lineup underscores how rapid technological progress is unlocking new possibilities for operators and service providers alike.

The 2026 Spotlight on New Technology winners were honoured at the OTC show at NRG Center in Houston, Texas, on Monday, 4 May.

The solution is delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, planning accuracy, and performance across Aramco’s global refining operations. (Image source: Aramco)

Emerson has announced the successful deployment of an AI-driven optimisation solution for Aramco with the integration of Emerson’s Aspen Hybrid Models into Aramco’s existing refinery
planning framework, creating one of the world’s largest and most advanced refinery optimisation frameworks

Aspen Hybrid Models combine first-principles models, deep domain expertise, and purpose-built industrial AI to significantly enhance the accuracy of refinery planning models and improve operational efficiency across global refining operations. The deployment has already achieved yield and quality prediction accuracy of up to 98.5% in key refinery units.These hybrid AI models have been implemented in Continuous Catalyst Regeneration (CCR) and Platformer Units, where they are enabling more precise feedstock blending, minimising gaps between planning and execution, and improving the accuracy of margin forecasting across Aramco’s global refining network.

Current efforts are focused on expanding the hybrid modelling approach to hydrocracker units across Aramco’s assets. This is expected to further enhance model accuracy and demonstrate the scalability and robustness of this AI-driven optimisation strategy across the enterprise.

"This deployment represents a significant milestone in Aramco's AI strategy and our long-standing relationship with Emerson," said Ahmad Alkudmani, director of the global optimiser department at Aramco. "We are committed to leveraging innovative technologies for smarter, more efficient refining optimisation. With improved model accuracy, we are enhancing planning decisions, reducing the manual adjustments required from our engineers, and uncovering new value across our global assets."

By using Aspen Hybrid Models Aramco was able to create highly accurate nonlinear optimisations using thousands of converged simulation cases built upon rigorous first-principles models calibrated with actual plant data. The approach provides Aramco with a scalable, robust tool for global refinery planning.

"Aramco continues to set the standard for operational excellence through digital innovation," said Claudio Fayad, chief technology officer of Emerson's Aspen Technology business.

"This deployment of AI-driven Aspen Hybrid Models to optimise complex, multi-site, multi- period planning workflows demonstrates the tangible value of combining deep domain expertise with advanced AI. We're excited to expand our strategic relationship with Aramco as they advance their digital transformation goals."

AlphaSight provides operators with real-time data to make faster more accurate geosteering decisions, optimise well placement and maximise reservoir contact. (Image source: SLB)

SLB has launched AlphaSight, a new reservoir mapping and drilling intelligence technology designed to deliver clearer subsurface insight at increased depths

AlphaSight provides operators with real-time data to make faster more accurate geosteering decisions, optimise well placement and maximise reservoir contact in even the most complex geological environments.

The solution delivers the industry’s shortest extra-deep azimuthal resistivity sensor, positioned closer to the bit with downhole computing for superior reservoir visibility.

It has demonstrated proven success in the field across the Middle East, North Sea, North America, and Asia, helping operators improve well placement, sharpen reservoir contact, and enhance overall drilling outcomes – driving stronger asset productivity across diverse reservoir environments.

By expanding petrophysical insight and accelerating geosteering decisions, AlphaSight supports faster, more accurate and streatmlined well delivery and advances the transition toward digital and autonomous drilling operations.

“AlphaSight is the cornerstone of our new Sight family of advanced measurement solutions, marking a true breakthrough in geosteering technology – it's not just an incremental improvement, but a complete transformation in well placement,” said Cecilia Prieto, president of Well Construction. “With unprecedented resolution, depth, and look-ahead capabilities, AlphaSight, empowers operators with clarity to make more confident decisions and achieve greater production than ever before.”