The role of continuous improvement in the Oil & Gas industry 

The Oil and Gas (O&G) industry faces a great deal of change, challenges, and new opportunities. From a growing focus on sustainability to fluctuating demand and a significant skills shortage, businesses have to adapt their business models to continue improving.    

Continuous improvement is essentially the ongoing focus on doing everything as close to perfection as possible. Perfection itself is often hard, if not impossible, to achieve, but the goal to try and achieve it should be constant. This is particularly important within the oil and gas industry as great precision and attention to detail are key. Furthermore, innovation in the industry is derived from business processes. 

Continuous improvement is needed not only to thrive in the current business environment but also to survive. Beyond improving processes, companies must empower teams, upskill individuals, and drive strategic initiatives. 

Adapt, iterate and improve, or be left behind

Change can be uncomfortable. As humans, we naturally fear uncertainty. However, it’s through change that we grow and find new opportunities. It’s the same in business. In order to improve, we must adapt to changing markets, new technologies, different customer needs, and alternative business environments. 

Within drilling, there is definite value in evaluating historical data and replicating tried and tested processes, but it’s not all about looking back but rather building on learnings and adapting as needed. Change and continuous improvement don’t mean a complete overhaul. Our team of experts follow the approach of; “Don’t reinvent the wheel but do make sure it’s fit for purpose.” We adapt based on insights gathered but focus on building from the foundations of tried and tested processes. 

At Aurora, we aim to identify issues and opportunities at the earliest part of the process. This helps us gather learnings and optimise along the way. There is never a ‘one-size fits all’ solution. Small iterations and improvements can ultimately drive significant improvements to the final results. Businesses must be aware of external factors, what their customers say, and the latest market trends. Aim to be proactive where possible and reactive when needed. 

Driving continuous improvements in drilling 

• Which key considerations should be taken to improve drilling performance over time?

Ensure that all concerned parties buy into the objectives (drilling, subsurface, and production) for the project. Strive to deliver the project on time (no train wrecks) and within the allocated budget (no overruns on the planned cycle time). 

We achieve this at Aurora through our blank canvas approach. This approach considers the entire drilling system and its key influencers each and every time. Small changes that are not checked can significantly impact the duration and cost of a project. Plan what to use and use what you plan – avoid knee-jerk reactions at all costs. 

• What are the advantages of incorporating continuous improvement into a well drilling campaign?

Continuous improvement ultimately lowers the development project’s overall cost through improved consistency and efficiency. Key to this is a detailed analysis of applicable data and the drilling systems used to drive reduced overall project times. 

Learn more about how continuous achievement helped us drive success for clients.

• What is the future of drilling performance and how can companies be prepared?

Oil and gas is an ageing industry, challenged with limited resources and a growing risk of loss of knowledge. The current industry circumstance means companies need to start to outsource more key project work to specialist companies such as Aurora. By partnering with specialist companies, businesses can access a larger set of capabilities and expertise to help them thrive. 

By working with Aurora, oil companies can access our AWOS programme to ensure that no stone lies unturned, as this provides a detailed analysis of key offset data. AWOS not only saves time but also aids in the delivery of an optimised programme and can be used seamlessly to lower overall project costs, every time.

Want to drive continuous improvement in your operations?

Contact us to learn more about our capabilities at Aurora and understand the support we can provide to enhance your drilling operations.