Eni, Halliburton Deploy Integrated Rig Automation and MPD System

Integrated System Debuts in Asia-Pacific

Halliburton has deployed its LOGIX automation platform on an Eni deepwater exploration well offshore Indonesia, marking the first time full rig floor automation has been combined with managed pressure drilling (MPD) in a single closed-loop system in the Asia-Pacific region.

The deployment integrated rig floor equipment, automated well positioning, downhole hydraulics, and MPD controls into one coordinated system. Halliburton's LOGIX orchestration service managed both drilling execution and tripping operations within a unified workflow, eliminating the need for separate control systems.

Why It Matters

Narrow-margin deepwater wells present significant operational risks where small pressure variations can cause formation damage or well control issues. Integrating automation with real-time pressure management addresses a critical industry challenge: maintaining precise control in environments where traditional drilling methods struggle. The 15% efficiency improvement demonstrates that automation can deliver measurable performance gains while reducing operational risk in technically demanding wells.

Performance Results

The integrated approach delivered consistent performance across the well, according to details first reported by Drilling Contractor. The system maintained reliable pressure control in wells with narrow operating margins—environments where the difference between formation fracture pressure and pore pressure leaves little room for error.

The LOGIX orchestration service paired with MPD improved operational efficiency by more than 15% compared to conventional methods. The system maintained well control throughout the narrow-margin operating environment, a key safety and performance metric in deepwater drilling.

Technical Integration

The deployment combined several previously separate systems into one automated platform. Rig floor control, subsea automation, and pressure management operated under unified coordination rather than as independent systems requiring manual intervention between operations.

This integration allowed the system to respond to downhole conditions in real time, adjusting drilling parameters automatically to maintain optimal pressure profiles. The closed-loop design reduced the potential for human error during critical operations and enabled faster responses to changing well conditions.

Operational Collaboration

The project brought together Eni's operational expertise in deepwater exploration with Halliburton's automation technology. This collaboration aligned technical capabilities across multiple drilling disciplines—rig operations, subsea systems, and pressure management—within a single operational framework.

The successful deployment provides a reference case for similar applications in other deepwater basins where narrow operating margins and complex well geometries challenge conventional drilling approaches.

Details of the deployment were first reported by Drilling Contractor.