Search for a command to run...
Abstract This paper presents the main lessons learned from a collaborative initiative to develop, integrate, and commission a drilling automation system on a deepwater drillship operating for a Brazilian operator. The project involved a multidisciplinary partnership between the drilling contractor (rig owner), the OEM (automated drilling control system provider), a technology company (responsible for the digital twin platform for advisory and control), and the operator. The objective was to enable safe and reliable automation of critical drilling processes by orchestrating real-time control actions across multiple onboard systems. This initiative aimed to validate both the technical feasibility and operational value of automation in a high-spec offshore environment. The automation system was designed to optimize and control key drilling activities such as tripping operations, pump restart/stop, ROP management, and friction testing. These capabilities were enabled by a digital twin platform that operates in both advisory and closed-loop modes, generating real-time setpoints and control commands based on downhole conditions and rig system constraints. To ensure proper integration between the digital twin, the driller's usability, and the OEM's ADCS, Factory Acceptance Tests were conducted with all stakeholders involved. During the commissioning phase, particular attention was given to adapting the integration strategy to the specific characteristics of the drillship's infrastructure, including data communication, control system access, and onboard network limitations. The deployment followed a phased approach, starting with offline and advisory-mode operation before enabling supervised closed-loop execution. The project demonstrated that effective automation is not only a technological challenge but also an integration and collaboration effort. Key results include improved operational consistency, early detection of inefficiencies, reduction in non-productive time, minimizing human intervention, and increasing drilling performance. Involving product developers with end-users (drillers) since the project phase was crucial to refine automation strategies and drive adoption. Interoperability and governance challenges emerged, particularly in aligning data protocols, human-machine interfaces, and shared KPIs among partners. These were progressively addressed through joint task forces and field adjustments. Collaboration fostered a clear understanding of automation boundaries, responsibilities, and readiness for operational acceptance. This project offers a unique perspective from a Brazilian offshore context and highlights a rare alignment between drilling contractor, OEM, technology provider, and operator around a common automation goal. Unlike traditional automation trials limited to single parties or silos, this initiative required deep integration across organizational and technical domains. The paper contributes original insights into how a digital twin can serve not only as an advisory tool but also as an active agent in closed-loop drilling control. It also discusses cultural and procedural shifts required to support automation adoption offshore and outlines recommendations for future deployments seeking to achieve scalable, collaborative, and value-driven automation.