Halliburton listed Guyana’s first fully automated closed-loop well placement system among its first-quarter 2026 technology highlights.
“Halliburton, in collaboration with ExxonMobil Guyana, Sekal, and Noble, delivered a groundbreaking step forward in digital well construction to achieve the deepwater industry’s first fully automated geological well placement with complete rig automation in offshore Guyana,” the company stated in its April 21 results report.
The project integrates rig automation, real-time subsurface interpretation, and drilling control systems to link geological data directly with well placement decisions during operations offshore.
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It also removes traditional separation between subsurface analysis and drilling execution by enabling continuous, real-time decision-making, while linking hydraulics, geology, and rig controls into a single automated workflow.
According to the companies, the technology was deployed to place approximately 470 meters of lateral well section within the reservoir. It reduced tripping time by about 33% and completed the reservoir section roughly 15% ahead of plan.
The deployment reflects increasing use of automation in offshore drilling, where precision and efficiency are critical as developments expand in deepwater environments.
Halliburton also highlighted several additional technology deployments and product launches in its quarterly update.
The company introduced the HyperSteer™ MX directional drill bit, described as an industry-first shankless matrix-body bit designed to improve durability, extend run life, and enhance directional control in high-flow, abrasive drilling environments.
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It also announced the launch of the Next-Generation Energy Xccelerator Joint Lab in Singapore, developed with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board. The initiative is focused on accelerating advanced well completion technologies for the global energy sector.
In carbon management, Halliburton rolled out the XTR™ CS injection system, a wireline-retrievable safety valve designed for CO₂ injection wells. The system is engineered to reduce leak paths through a non-elastomeric design and eliminate dependence on hydraulic control systems.
For geothermal applications, the company introduced the RangeStar™ Geothermal Well Spacing and Intercept Service, part of its magnetic ranging portfolio. The system is designed to improve well placement accuracy in complex geothermal formations, reduce decision time from hours to minutes, and support detection distances of up to 130 meters.
Halliburton, a global energy services provider established in 1919, continues to expand its presence in Guyana, where it has operated since 2015. Its work includes drilling services, cementing, stimulation, reservoir evaluation, and completion services across the offshore oil sector.
The company is a key contractor supporting development activities in the Stabroek Block, where large-scale offshore production continues to expand.
