Necessity is the mother of invention: a mantra that has been repeated throughout the history of civilization. The oil and gas industry is certainly no exception to this rule of life. In fact, it may be even more applicable to innovators in the oil and gas field than it is in any other industry, considering the strict regulations and high standards that constantly need to be considered and overcome. When solving problems and designing tools for major oil and gas operators, Drilling Innovative Solutions (DIS) has consistently strived to exceed both the needs of clients as well as the rigorous standards and regulations set forth by the governing bodies of the oil and gas drilling industry. As a result of these efforts, our tools have proven to have a longer life within the field than the majority of those produced by our competitors, most of whom are constantly working to keep up while we continue to be innovative.
Doing Our Homework
The key to creating revolutionary new tools that save rig time and money for clients without wasted effort is the research we do beforehand. Despite most of our solutions being direct responses to the needs of our clients, we always make a conscious effort to be proactive and not reactive—anticipating the needs of oil and gas operators before they even express them and weighing them against industry guidelines and standards.
Applying Industry Knowledge
Being familiar with the ins and outs of the oil and gas industry is the crux of DIS’ ability to anticipate changes in standards and regulations—and we put that knowledge to good use when designing and implementing our tools. The gist of the process is that new industry standards are proposed, voted on by industry leaders and henceforth adopted. Changing standards can often be predicted with some degree of accuracy by observing the prevailing legislative winds.
Anticipating Regulations
When designing new tools, DIS often has to observe the legislative processes in order to ensure that a tool is already adherent to any new standards by the time it is deployed. In many cases, there is a need not only for researching the standards set forth by the American Petroleum Institute (API), but also for ascertaining which standards may be introduced in the near future. For example, when asked to test the Sentinel Drilling Safety Float Valve by a major oil and gas operator, the industry was still widely adhering to the 7NRV standards. However, new 7V standards were in the balloting phase with implementation seemingly imminent. Sensing which way the wind was blowing, we subsequently tested the Sentinel to both the old standards and the recently proposed new standards—ensuring that the equipment met the new industry standards before they were even introduced.
Pushing the Envelope
When anticipating changes in standards and regulations isn’t feasible, DIS has demonstrated a gift for making timely changes and rolling with the punches. Versatility is always at the front of our minds when designing new products, and though we are adept at making specific tools for specific jobs, we always keep one eye on the future and strive to make our tools as adaptable as possible.
Going Above and Beyond
In a strictly regulated industry, charting new technological territories means that working beyond the brief is not only an advantage; but a requirement as well. When designing our first Gatekeeper Cement Retaining Collar, we designed it specifically to the 11D1 design parameters, the standards that Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) was using to qualify barriers for casing installations at the time. In spite of the fact that this standard was for bridge plugs (The Gatekeepers are not), we once again chose to err on the side of caution. However, the downside of inventing new technology is having no clear-cut standard. Fortunately, when the client requested 19V and 19AC testing, our tool’s inherent versatility meant we were able to oblige their request.
In Tune With the Industry
Many tool manufacturers in the oil and gas industry see industry standards and regulations as hurdles—we see them as opportunities. Not only do these very important regulations ensure safety and sustainability; they also breed innovation through the challenges they present. By constantly striving to stay ahead of the curve, DIS has cemented itself as an industry leader in terms of both quality and consistency. Our knowledge of the oil and gas industry doesn’t just help us to anticipate the needs of our clients, it also encourages us to design, validate and test to the highest standards possible.
The high standards we have set for ourselves have enabled us to save days of rig time and millions of dollars for oil and gas operators around the globe, and that is precisely why we will continue to maintain these standards. If you are interested in learning more about how DIS can save time and money for your next operation, contact us today.
