OMV Petrom premiers new automatic drilling technology in Romania

OMV Petrom, the largest integrated energy producer in Southeastern Europe, is running a new drilling campaign using a state-of-the-art automated drilling rig owned by Foraj Sonde Videle. The campaign is initially focusing on several fields in Oltenia, Muntenia and Moldova, with plans to continue across the OMV Petrom portfolio thereafter.

The objective of the campaign is to deliver new resources from mature fields, while improving safety and efficiency of drilling operations. To date, two new gas wells have been completed on time and on budget with increased efficiency compared to traditional methods.

Cristian Hubati, member of the OMV Petrom Executive Board, responsible for the Exploration and Production activities: “The new technologies support us to increase production on mature fields and contribute to the minimization of the environmental impact. We are very proud alongside our colleagues from OMV and our partner Foraj Sonde Videle to use one of the most energy efficient onshore drilling rig in the world.”

The automated drilling rig is a product of OMV’s DigitUP digitalization program and underscores the synergy between OMV and OMV Petrom. This integrates innovative thinking with operational excellence.

The rig is manufactured in the Netherlands, by Huisman, a company that designs, manufactures and services equipment for the renewable energy, oil and gas and other industries. Automation of extractive activity reduces human errors, while improving efficiency and safety of drilling operations, as operators can monitor and control drilling operations remotely. The electric central power system of the drilling rig improves fuel efficiency and reduces carbon footprint.

The applicability of this new technology goes beyond traditional oil and gas operations as it can be used also in geothermal and carbon capture and storage projects.