RDS Closes Deal With Nabors
Investinor’s portfolio company Robotic Drilling Systems AS (RDS) has entered into a contract with Nabors Industries (NYSE: NBR) for delivery of its newly developed all-electric robotic pipe handler.
The delivery is planned for later this year on a rig outside Europe. The pipe handler was developed as part of RDS’ fully robotic and unmanned drill floor solution and includes major benefits such as integrated horizontal-to-vertical lifting of drill pipe and spinning capabilities.
In 2015, RDS installed the world’s first drill floor robot at the Ullrigg Test Rig in Stavanger.
RDS CEO Arild Austigard commented about the new contract;
“This is a significant step for RDS in commercializing our game-changing robotic drill floor products. It is also a major milestone to sign the first contract for deployment outside of Europe, which demonstrates the global potential of our technology. We have experienced high interest in our robotic technology from both operators and drilling contractors, and we are in positive dialogues about more robot orders”.
Nabors President of Global Drilling Operations & Engineering Siggi Meissner commented;
“The rapid decline in crude oil prices has required both drilling contractors and producers to maximize efficiencies in the drilling process. Nabors’ goal is to transform the future of the global drilling industry through the use of technology. Nabors is committed to helping customers significantly improve operations from a safety and cost perspective, and therefore look forward to integrating RDS’ innovative robotic pipe handler on our rigs”.
About Robotic Drilling Systems
RDS of Stavanger, Norway develops a game changing drill-floor solution consisting of robotic technology for fully unmanned drill floor operations. The system handles pipe and tools and the technology can be applied both on pipe-deck and drill-floor on all drilling structures (new builds and retrofit) for both land and offshore installations.
The robotic control system ensures dynamic, seamless, fast and precise work operations between the electric drill floor machines. The benefits are faster drilling operations, high safety level due to unmanned operations, and lower installation, maintenance and operations costs.
RDS technical partner and largest shareholder is drilling contractor Odfjell Drilling. The development is supported by oil companies, Norwegian Research Council, Innovasjon Norge and other investors including Statoil Technology Invest, Investinor and Westcon.
About Nabors
Nabors Industries (NYSE: NBR) owns and operates the world’s largest land-based drilling rig fleet and is a leading provider of offshore platform rigs in the United States and multiple international markets. Nabors also provides directional drilling services, performance tools, and innovative technologies throughout the world’s most significant oil and gas markets.
Leveraging its advanced drilling automation capabilities, Nabors’ highly skilled workforce continues to set new standards for operational excellence and transform our industry.
Media Contacts:
Arild Austigard, CEO, Robotic Drilling Systems, +47 982 48 430
Denny Smith, Vice President of Corporate Development & Investor Relations, Nabors, +1 281-775-8038
