Session 16. Oral Presentation for: Steer it like you mean it: precision placement meets automated drilling in the Bowen Basin

Presented on 20 May 2026: Session 16 This paper presents the application of advanced drilling technologies in a complex dual-lateral horizontal well campaign conducted in the Bowen Basin, Australia. The development targeted shallow, extended-reach laterals and involved significant geosteering challenges due to thin reservoir beds, abrupt dip variations, fault intersections, and the absence of seismic data. The well architecture required precise interception of a deviated offset directional well, followed by continuous drilling to total depth in a single run. To address these challenges, the operator deployed a rotary steerable system (RSS) with integrated ranging magnets, enabling active well interception and uninterrupted post-interception drilling. A distance-to-boundary mapping tool was utilised to support proactive geosteering decisions near fault exits and dip transitions. Additionally, a drilling automation system was implemented to ensure reliable downlink delivery and automate repetitive tasks such as torque and drag measurements, thereby improving operational consistency and reducing manual intervention. The use of a super single rig, combined with extended horizontal sections, amplified the benefits of automation, with repetitive tasks such as pre- and post-connections being optimised. The integrated active ranging within the RSS eliminated the need for motor-ranging bottom hole assemblies, enabled full geosteering in rotary mode, and achieved optimal rates of penetration. These innovations collectively resulted in a time savings exceeding four days per lateral section. This case study details this implementation of drilling automation and demonstrates the value of integrating RSS innovation, geosteering intelligence, and automation to enhance well placement and operational efficiency in geologically complex environments. To access the Oral Presentation click ‘Supplementary data’ below. To read the full paper click here