What is automated geological well placement?

It is a technology where software automatically steers the drill bit to stay within the most productive part of a rock formation based on real-time sensor data, rather than relying on manual adjustments.

Who are the main companies involved in this Guyana project?

The project was led by ExxonMobil as the operator, Halliburton as the primary service provider, Noble as the rig owner, and Sekal as the automation software specialist.

How does this technology improve offshore safety?

By automating the steering process, it reduces the cognitive load on rig crews and minimizes the risk of human error, which is a leading cause of drilling incidents in deepwater operations.

Offshore Technology · March 17, 2026 (Mar 17) · 1 min read

Halliburton and partners complete automated well placement in Guyana

ExxonMobil

Isometric technical illustration of offshore oil and gas operations with drillship and support vessel — Illustration: ExxonMobil

Analysis

AI-assisted analysis · reviewed by Yuri Kan

ExxonMobil and Halliburton have successfully implemented the first fully automated geological well placement system in Guyana's offshore sector. This milestone integrates advanced software and rig hardware to steer drilling operations autonomously based on real-time geological data. The achievement marks a significant leap forward in reducing human intervention and increasing precision in complex deepwater environments.

Key Facts

The project was a collaboration between Halliburton, ExxonMobil, Sekal, Noble, and Wells Alliance Guyana.
It represents the first fully automated geological well placement with complete rig automation in Guyanese waters.
The technology removes the need for manual steering adjustments by integrating geosteering data directly into rig controls.
Sekal provided the specialized drilling automation software and digital twin logic.
Noble Corporation provided the offshore drilling platform utilized for the technology deployment.
The system aims to optimize reservoir contact while reducing operational risks and drilling time.

Background & Context

The offshore industry has been moving toward 'autonomous drilling' for over a decade to improve safety and efficiency in high-cost environments. Guyana has become the primary testing ground for these innovations due to ExxonMobil's massive and rapid development of the Stabroek block. Traditionally, geosteering required constant manual coordination between onshore geologists and offshore drillers, a process prone to communication lags.

Market Impact

This successful deployment proves that autonomous deepwater drilling is commercially viable and ready for global scaling. For operators, this reduces the 'time-to-depth' and minimizes the risk of expensive wellbore instability or missed targets. It positions Halliburton and Noble as leaders in the digital oilfield transition, potentially setting a new standard for service contracts. The integration of Sekal’s automation logic suggests that software-defined drilling will become a prerequisite for future deepwater exploration.

What to Watch

Expect ExxonMobil to evaluate the deployment of this automated system across its other high-stakes deepwater assets, including those in the Atlantic Margin and the Mediterranean. Competitors like SLB and Baker Hughes are likely to accelerate their own automation partnerships to avoid losing market share. The industry will now watch for data on how much this technology reduces the overall cost per barrel in the development phase.

Why This Matters for Cyprus

ExxonMobil is a key operator in Cyprus's EEZ, specifically in Blocks 10 and 5. The successful use of this automation technology in Guyana directly enhances the technical toolkit ExxonMobil can deploy for future complex drilling campaigns in the Eastern Mediterranean's deep waters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is automated geological well placement?: It is a technology where software automatically steers the drill bit to stay within the most productive part of a rock formation based on real-time sensor data, rather than relying on manual adjustments.
Who are the main companies involved in this Guyana project?: The project was led by ExxonMobil as the operator, Halliburton as the primary service provider, Noble as the rig owner, and Sekal as the automation software specialist.
How does this technology improve offshore safety?: By automating the steering process, it reduces the cognitive load on rig crews and minimizes the risk of human error, which is a leading cause of drilling incidents in deepwater operations.

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