Russia Launches First Robotic Well Construction System
The system is operating at the Chona group of oil fields managed by Gazprom Neft.
Gazprom Neft has launched Russia's first robotic complex for well construction at the Chona group of fields in Eastern Siberia. The automated system can independently assemble, disassemble, lower, and retrieve drill strings and casing strings without direct human involvement.
The new equipment can accelerate the construction of new wells by roughly one-third while eliminating the need for heavy manual labor. Its mobility and versatility allow it to be integrated into virtually any drilling rig.
"Today, Gazprom Neft produces more than 60 percent of its hydrocarbons using digital twins and advanced information technologies. The robotization of well construction is part of a broader program to digitize production processes. It will help improve the precision and speed of highly complex operations that directly affect the efficiency of field development," said Vladimir Krupenikov, CEO of Gazpromneft-Zapolyarye.
The company plans to deploy additional robotic systems at several oil fields in Eastern and Western Siberia before the end of the year.
