Halliburton announced it has acquired autonomous drilling specialist Sekal from Japan’s Sumitomo Corp., strengthening its digital and automation capabilities in drilling operations. Sumitomo previously held Sekal as a wholly owned subsidiary.
The 1 April announcement described the transaction as a milestone for Halliburton, Sekal, and Sumitomo, which supported the company’s growth and governance. Halliburton said the acquisition advances its strategy to expand drilling automation services and improve customer asset performance.
The acquisition combines Halliburton’s LOGIX automated geosteering and remote operations technologies with Sekal’s DrillTronics automation platform and services.
Halliburton said the newly combined offering improves its ability to increase reservoir contact while drilling and supports automated control and optimization of drilling operations. The integrated system is described as working “with the push of a button” and involves real-time control over well placement, wellbore hydraulics, and rig operations.
“By bringing together our field-proven technologies, we unlock the full potential of digital well construction and set a new standard for automated drilling operations,” Jim Collins, vice president of Halliburton’s Sperry Drilling business unit, said in a statement.
In March, the two companies announced a partnership on an offshore Guyana project with operator ExxonMobil. The project was described as “an industry first,” enabling a closed-loop drilling system that steered the drill bit within reservoir boundaries while autonomously controlling drilling and tripping operations.
Jarle Vaag, Sekal CEO, said the acquisition represents a “natural evolution” for the Norwegian company, which was founded in 2011.
“The team at Sekal has worked closely with our clients providing our technology and services to the industry regardless of the service providers. While we will continue to support this market, the opportunity with the combined expertise of Halliburton and Sekal to advance our technical capability and accelerate the adoption of digitally integrated well construction will deliver a unique automation solution to our new and existing customers worldwide,” said Vaag.
The announcement added that Sekal’s software products have been used to drill more than 1,300 wells worldwide and that Halliburton and Sekal are deploying their automated product line across multiple projects. The work includes real-time models of the subsurface, wellbore fluids, and pressure systems, along with directional drilling tools and automated rig controls.
Halliburton and Sekal said the technology package can reduce well delivery time by up to 25% by optimizing well placement, drilling parameters, and tripping operations.
