The Future and Evolution of Drilling Technology in India

Drilling technology drives India's energy and infrastructure growth, evolving from basic rigs to smart, automated systems. This article explores how tech is transforming efficiency, safety and sustainability.

- Anushka Vani

Drilling technology is the backbone of India's energy, mining and infrastructure industries. From the first rotary rigs to the state-of-theart, digitally networked drilling systems of today, India has seen an amazing evolution in capability, efficiency and safety. This article explores the technological developments powering the nation's drilling sector, looks at existing applications in oil & gas and mineral exploration, and looks into emerging trends that will define India's resource security and industrial development.

Historical Background

The drilling history of India started in the late 19th century using cable-tool rigs for water wells and simple mineral exploration. The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) brought in rotary drilling rigs from the West in the 1960s with a huge leap in penetration rates in sedimentary basins. The early rigs were very dependent on manual operations, mechanical depth counters and analogue mud-logging systems. Throughout the subsequent decades, gradual upgrades i.e., top drives, drawworks and more advanced mud pumps increased drilling speeds and well control but presented difficulties with complicated formations and deeper targets.

Traditional vs. High-Tech Drilling Techniques

• Traditional Rotary Drilling: The rotary drilling still forms the workhorse of India's oil & gas operations in onshore regions like Mumbai Offshore, Assam and Gujarat. Contemporary rotary rigs in India have the following features:

• Traditional Rotary Drilling: The rotary drilling still forms the workhorse of India's oil & gas operations in onshore regions like Mumbai Offshore, Assam and Gujarat. Contemporary rotary rigs in India have the following features: