Why refining operations is no longer optional.

The oil and gas sector is evolving at a breakneck pace. For professionals in drilling and completions, especially here in the UK, the mission is clear: survival through operational excellence. Traditional cyclical fluctuations have sharpened into structural upheavals. Political mandates, cost pressures, and the decarbonization agenda are fundamentally altering market dynamics.

Consider Norway: its mature industry thrives due to the cohesive national support it receives. In Aberdeen, however, operators and service providers often feel isolated, without a unified industrial backbone. When times are good, there's a tendency to outsource  work, leaving UK skills and infrastructure on precarious footing. But stepping aside isn’t an option: we must continue pushing boundaries or face irrelevance.

Thankfully, the UK remains a recognized leader in advanced drilling technology, but reputation alone won't suffice. We must apply innovation purposefully, deploying proven tools and smarter digital strategies to deliver value-driven, measurable optimization. That’s exactly what WWT has been doing: not chasing flashy new tech, but using  software, refined procedures, and field-proven models to extract more value from every well. Our team recently traveled to South America to support key clients with our expertise in optimising well operations, ensuring that proven solutions are applied where they matter most. 

Structural Shifts in the Industry

From cycles to seismic change

Gone are the days when oilfield services could rely on predictable boom-bust cycles. The North Sea now grapples with declining production volumes and rising extraction costs, constrained further by environmental imperatives and complex geopolitics. UK operations don’t enjoy the same backing as their Norwegian counterparts, be it tax incentives, policy certainty, or R&D grants. This fragmentation places extra burden on regional players.

In times of demand, subsea work is subcontracted abroad and when the market cools, the local supply chain bears the brunt. That lack of resilience hinges on one insight: our competitive edge must come from operational superiority, not cost alone. We pivot by delivering better results, faster, and more sustainably.

Smarter Deployment for Meaningful Impact

Turning digital tools into field gains

The past 30 years have introduced significant digital change, but not necessarily new digital technologies. What has evolved is the strategic application of better torque-and-drag modeling, advanced downhole telemetry, and optimized workflows. At WWT, we don’t deploy tech to be trendy; we deploy it to solve known subsurface challenges.

Torque reduction & casing protection: real-world proof

Our Non‑Rotating Protectors (NRPs) (Figure 1) have delivered measurable benefits in European wells, and especially offshore UK basins:

• Offshore directional well (North Sea): Running 282 SS3 model NRPs between 300–1,620 m MD resulted in an 18% torque reduction, low casing wear, and strong model alignment with actual well performance wwtco.comwwtco.com+10wwtco.com+10wwtco.com+10.
• ERD offshore campaign: In drilling a ~9.2 km ERD section, 300 SS3 model NRPs reduced torque by 32%, with real-time torque averaging 55 kNm versus 81 kNm predicted without NRPs wwtco.com+4wwtco.com+4wwtco.com+4.
• Horizontal ERD success: SS model NRPs delivered a 40% decrease in torque and significant vibration reduction; cutting torque from 35.5 k ft‑lb to 20 k ft‑lb wwt-nrp-case-history-horizontal-europe-6340.pdf

These numbers aren't theoretical; they’re precise, repeatable gains driven through friction reduction and vibration damping. The impact: faster drilling, reduced non‑productive time, lower risk of torque-related failure, and improved casing integrity..(Figure 2)

Global Reach, UK Roots

Diversification is key

When home markets slow, WWT’s integrated global presence ensures stability. International deployments in the Middle East, the U.S., continental Europe, Africa, and Asia, keep our technical edge sharp and our economics healthy.

 and Asia keep our technical edge sharp and our economics healthy.

• In the Middle East, SS3 model NRPs have cut torque by 26–37% in ERD builds; one S-shaped well recorded a 30% torque drop wwt-nrp-case-history-directional-middle-east-10433.pdf
• In the U.S. Lower 48, NRPs supported eight of the ten longest laterals—showing 12–16% torque reduction while maintaining high rates of penetration WWT Case History - Horizontal - North America - 5469
• Alaska’s extended-reach liner runs saw smoother deployment and drag optimization by outfitting liner strings with NRPs. https://www.wwtco.com/media/5edmknsl/wwt-nrp-case-history-erd-alaska-11949.pdf
• These international wins feed back into the North Sea toolkit. We’ve refined best practices tool spacing, casing strategies, that directly translate back into the UK market, reinforcing our local value.

Transitioning for Tomorrow: Geothermal & Decarbonization

New horizons for old skills

Transition matters. That’s why we’re proactively engaged in geothermal markets, leveraging our worldwide deep-well abilities in a new energy context. Figure 3.

WWT’s geothermal tools already mirror oilfield NRPs and tractors in multi-kilometer lateral runs. High torque and vibration remain major challenges. Our NRPs have proven casing protection in geothermal wells—over 500 k+ drill-pipe revolutions sustained with HT3‑500 protectors in the U.S. and  CRA casing protected in Asia.

These aren’t diversions; they’re convergent applications. Every hour saved, every trip avoided, and every foot-pound of friction eliminated adds up. For geothermal operators, this means fewer failures, faster ramp-up, and lower carbon intensity—all while reusing existing supply chains and skill sets.

Sustainability by Efficiency

Low-hanging fruit for low-carbon impact

Sustainability isn’t only about alternative energy—it’s also about doing more with less, right now. Every ft-lb or kNm of torque reduced saves energy. Every avoided trip, vibration event, or casing repair avoids carbon emissions—and keeps wells on schedule and budget. Figure 4.

Our approach delivers measured results:

• 40% torque reductions equate to substantially lower rig energy consumption and emissions.
• NRPs extend casing and drill-pipe life—reducing the carbon intensity tied to equipment manufacturing and transportation.
• Smarter planning and digital modelling prevent over-sizing and underutilization of assets—cutting waste.

The results are quantifiable: lower rig time, fewer failures, less rework, and a smaller emissions footprint.

The survival imperative

The challenge for UK oilfield professionals is stark: either optimization or obsolescence . This isn’t about holding ground—it’s about evolutionary transformation. We’ve seen the proof: torque reductions up to 40%, casing protection proven across 30+ years, and global demand confirming the value of performance-first solutions.

At a time when national frameworks lag, operational excellence remains our strongest asset. At WWT, we don’t wait for policy alignment or market rebound. We act—swiftly, systematically, and informed by data.

To our peers in Aberdeen and across the UK: redouble your focus on smart deployment—not flashy tools. Leverage proven field tech, support it with rigorous modelling, measure relentlessly, and iterate. Combine this with digital tooling, data‑driven insights, and a commitment to efficiency, and you’ll emerge not just intact—but leading.

Because the truth is simple: In this industry, survival favors the optimized.