NOV Automation

Efficient wellbore construction through optimized

drilling and enhanced rig process control
 Visualization (Remote/Local)

Automation-
enabled
control
system

Drilling
applications

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 Automation for the industry.
Performance for your wells.
The oil and gas industry is on the precipice of momentous change, making drastic improvements to productivity, performance,
and efficiency more possible than ever before. NOV is delivering the technology of the future now, driving powerful innovation
and positive change that will propel your drilling operation to new depths.

Managing the performance of downhole drilling dynamics and surface operations presents unique challenges and opportunities.
An optimal drilling program successfully merges the downhole and surface drilling environments to achieve impactful,
consistent results—high-quality wellbores delivered safely and efficiently.

At NOV, it’s our job to understand the complex interfaces between the different components within the drilling and rig
systems. We’ve combined high-speed downhole data with a comprehensive drilling model and a process controller to
develop an advanced NOV Automation process. This provides the driller with an autopilot system that recognizes and adjusts
to the downhole environment and consistently delivers an optimized well program. NOV Automation supports informed
decisions that enhance on-bottom drilling performance, reduce invisible lost time and nonproductive time, and improve
equipment reliability. This results in reduced well construction costs and consistent, repeatable performance without
introducing risks to personnel or equipment.

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HIGH-SPEED DATA
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Strengthen your rig fleet with more NOV Automation: The future of drilling
efficient drilling performance built on a history of success
The conventional drilling process is dependent on the experience NOV has built a presence in the oilfield based on the reliability and
of the driller. NOV Automation gives you the opportunity to capture innovation of our products and technologies. As a manufacturer of rig
lessons learned from well to well, apply improved processes and drilling surface equipment, downhole tools and systems, and completions
parameters, and reduce the potential for human inconsistency in your equipment, NOV is uniquely positioned to deliver a fully integrated
drilling operations. automation solution…and we’ve done that.
When our integrated automation system is deployed on your rig, the Our closed-loop downhole drilling system feeds high-speed drilling
driller is free to coordinate and focus on the most important aspects data into state-of-the-art autonomous rig controls, which optimize
of drilling—ensuring the safety of the crew and rig, maintaining an and control the well construction process for a cost-effective solution
optimal downhole environment, and maximizing overall performance. on your rigs or in your operations.
Our advanced process controller automatically repeats the steps
involved with manual drilling, but those steps are now completed
faster and with more consistency.
For an operator, NOV Automation
The integrated system controls the drilling process and derives
its setpoints from surface data, high-speed downhole data, and
improves your decision making and
a comprehensive drilling model, using accurate information that allows you to get a higher level of
reflects the true downhole environment and allows the system to be performance and efficiency out of
run with less conservative safety margins. Throughout the drilling
process, our drilling applications and software interface with the
your entire rig fleet. For contractors,
control system, providing real-time downhole dynamics data such NOV Automation is the ultimate
as weight on bit, toolface control, cuttings monitoring, and downhole point of differentiation for your
pressure management.
rig, giving you a distinct advantage
When the well is completed, the lessons learned can be automatically
over competitors and making you a
captured and the optimized well program is uploaded to the system
where it will repeat the process. Through NOV Automation, your rig preferred partner with the operator.
can drill close to its technical limit, applying proven drilling processes
for consistent, repeatable performance.

NOV control systems are engineered, designed, and manufactured by the same company that produces your OEM drilling
equipment and systems. This ensures a seamless interface that displays functional, accurate information and allows
simultaneous monitoring of multiple pieces of equipment with a high degree of redundancies and advanced diagnostics.
 Take advantage of your
Total Days versus Depth rig’s full potential
NOV Automation allows you to safely
extend your operating limits, which
helps utilize the full capabilities of your
Average offset well rig and can deliver significant spud-to-
TD performance improvements.

• Real-time pressure visualization

helps to extend reservoir sections
• Topside and downhole
environments can be controlled
• BHA and drillstring components
last longer

Automated drilling
improvements

The days versus depth graph illustrates improved total time and consistency after
implementation of NOV Automation. All six wells drilled faster than the average of the
previous three pads, and three of the wells drilled the vertical section in one bit run.

Delivering efficiencies from bit to crown to improve your overall performance

Our automated system combines controls, drilling systems, and and annular pressure, temperature, rotation, and three-axis vibration
software applications from our eVolve™ Optimization Service and information to determine the most efficient drilling parameters.
NOV Operating System (NOVOS™) to deliver proven results. From a In addition, MWD data is streamed to the surface every second to
42% reduction in spud-to-TD time in the Eagle Ford to an additional help you achieve your directional drilling objectives.
15% of reservoir access in Norway, NOV is setting the standard for
In addition to the NOVOS benefits, the acquired downhole data
automation systems around the world.
supports specific drilling software applications, enabling you to
NOV controls are designed to be fully configurable, expandable, further optimize the drilling operation. Our drilling software uses the
and scalable across your rig fleet, reducing the time and cost of data to enhance wellbore understanding—from recommendations
automation implementation when compared with mixed third-party and data visualization to closed-loop control—improving operational
controls and non-OEM equipment. NOV controls provide the driller efficiencies and reducing manual interpretation of drilling data.
with more data and real-time readings than any other controls in the
The combination of NOVOS and eVolve drilling software provides the
industry, allowing you to analyze, comprehend, and improve your
driller with a real-time tool set they can use to automatically adjust
drilling performance. We’ve further revolutionized drilling process
drilling parameters and implement steps of the drilling process. NOV
control through NOVOS, which is our advanced rig equipment
Automation provides well construction teams with the information
control interface and automated drilling platform that allows
they need to continuously improve drilling performance without
custom applications specific to your drilling needs.
losing focus on other critical responsibilities.
During the drilling operation, our eVolve downhole tools acquire
pressure, dynamics, and MWD information, transmitting real-time For more information about NOV Automation,
data via the IntelliServ™ high-speed telemetry network. Our tools
contact us at NOVautomation@nov.com
acquire data at multiple positions in the drillstring, providing internal

nov.com/automation
Drill your well with confidence.
Then do it again.
Imagine faster, safer, and more effective drilling operations at the
touch of a button. Our NOVOS process control capabilities integrate
drilling intelligence into your existing NOV control system to become
the foundation for consistent, optimized well creation that’s scalable
across your rig fleet.

As a rig operating system, NOVOS manages hardware (rig equipment

and sensors) and software (existing control system and applications)
to provide a common platform—regardless of rig specifications—so
that your decisions to control, monitor, and optimize your drilling
operations are easily and consistently executed in one simple interface.

NOVOS automatically performs repetitive drilling activities, integrating

the best of human and equipment capabilities to execute your well
program. NOVOS-structured data and defined activities provide early
performance gains in challenging assets, and then perpetuate lessons
learned to deliver best practices for regions and clients, regardless of
their location.

NOVOS features customized applications for specific drilling require-

NOVOS
ments, allowing the driller to reach the boundaries of equipment
capabilities and drill more aggressively without increasing risks.

An application-programmable interface and software development

kit (SDK) simplify the development of optimization applications that
use sensor data to control rig machines. The NOVOS SDK provides
third parties with safe access to a wide variety of functions within Faster, safer, and more effective
the NOVOS system. Applications can be layered, prioritized, and
partitioned to provide flexibility of control and monitoring in a way
drilling intelligence into your
the industry has never seen.

Develop and install your own

applications on NOVOS
NOVOS offers developer packages that allow the creation of
personalized applications. Operators, contractors, or service
companies can apply optimization with their own applications
while maintaining the proven safety and precision of NOV
control systems.

Screen image simulated.

drilling operations using an operating system that integrates
existing NOV control system

Automated processes to make drilling more consistent

(5-minute increments)

Conventional drilling

Drilling with NOVOS

Elapsed time

Block height

This graph shows a sample of actual traveling block height and illustrates the more consistent NOVOS drilling (right) in
comparison to conventional drilling (left). NOVOS is able to complete twice as many cycles as conventional drilling, and
delivers them more consistently in the same amount of time.
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Patented, closed-loop control improves performance and
generates real-time analytics to support your drilling decisions  
Our eVolve Optimization Service's AUTOMATE tier equips existing rigs, rig crews, and engineers with an advanced
toolkit that delivers performance, enhances real-time decision making, and provides analytics capability. Sensors
in the drilling environment enable best-in-class performance with a control system finely tuned for any operation.
The eVolve service uses innovative software to improve drilling performance and operational efficiencies in addition
to reducing manual interpretation of drilling data.

Continuous improvement is the foundation of our optimized drilling

process. We enhance your drilling performance throughout your
project’s life cycle using a four-phase approach—analyze, plan,
execute, and evaluate.

We begin by critically reviewing key performance indicators and drilling

data to understand how to improve drilling system performance. We
analyze data to identify risk and opportunity, aiding in well planning.
We then build a strategy for you. Using benchmarks and performance
objectives, we plan and assist in BHA design and develop drilling
parameter roadmaps, supported by our suite of software planning
tools. After mobilizing our tools and systems to your rig, we execute
the plan, including the acquisition of enhanced data in real-time,
mudpulse, electromagnetic, or memory mode. Through a deeper
understanding of your drilling environment and the continuous
support of our Real-Time Technology Center, we continuously
evaluate the drilling operation and make effective recommendations
that optimize performance.

Real-Time Technology Center

Mitigating risks to ensure safe, maintenance schedule that aligns with your operational plan. As the
OEM, we have the most comprehensive knowledge of NOV equipment
reliable operations and systems, and we use that expertise to help you estimate when
components or systems are nearing their endof life or when you
Our stick-slip prevention service is an algorithm software that’s loaded
should plan an equipment change-out or repair.
onto the topdrive controller where it mitigates and prevents stick-
slip oscillations of the drillstring. The service automatically accelerates
and decelerates the topdrive to dampen the harmonic response of the
drillstring to improve performance over a broader range of conditions, Modern efficiencies, accurate data, and
including extremely long wells where competitive systems normally
fail. The software constantly monitors the occurrence of stick-slip
reliable tools quickly integrated into
through the analysis of relevant parameters, indicating stick-slip your operations
severity on the HMI and alerting the operator when the system needs
Our NOV Automation investment and development plan has
to be activated. An autotuning feature will automatically detect and
strategically aligned numerous advanced technologies to provide
mitigate stick-slip without manual tuning from the operator.
a tested, field-proven system that delivers safety, consistency, and
Throughout the drilling process, our condition-based monitoring and confidence in your drilling operations.
maintenance systems provide a predictive solution that foresees
Our automated system provides upgrades to existing drilling equipment,
operational failures in equipment such as topside equipment and
applies optimization software, and implements intuitive tools at a
subsea blowout preventers.
minimal cost with the least impact to productivity. The repeatability
Using a network of native and condition-monitoring sensors, we turn and consistency of our automation system also promotes a more
raw data into condition information that compares your rig with efficient supply chain process, eliminating invisible lost time at the
acceptable usage, wear, and fatigue models for a real-time snapshot wellsite and providing easy-to-adopt performance standards across
of your topside equipment’s health. Predictive analytic tools build your fleets and regions.
upon our equipment monitoring service, providing proactive alerts
We’ve developed a true closed-loop automation system that
that warn of potential breakdowns so you can address the problem
incorporates intelligent controls, preparing the industry for an era
before it becomes a costly event.
of unparalleled productivity and performance. But our vision
Our combination of equipment knowledge, operational data, and doesn’t stop here—we’ll continue to create, to innovate, and to
condition monitoring data helps you develop a condition-based make the impossible a reality as we build the rig of the future.

nov.com/automation
DDS@nov.com nov.com
National Oilwell Varco has produced this brochure for Corporate Headquarters
general information only, and it is not intended for design 7909 Parkwood Circle Drive
purposes. Although every effort has been made to maintain
the accuracy and reliability of its contents, National Oilwell Houston, Texas 77036
Varco in no way assumes responsibility or liability for any USA
loss, damage or injury resulting from the use of information
and data herein. All applications for the material described
are at the user’s risk and are the user’s responsibility.

© 2016 National Oilwell Varco All Rights Reserved

NOV-DDS-B-1516-001 Rev 01

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