Driving Collaboration and Data Integrity in Drilling Automation

At the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) Advanced Rig Technology (ART) Conference), IPT Global Chief Technology Officer Cody MacDonald explored the future of drilling automation in oil and gas, emphasizing how data integration between service providers is becoming essential to safer, more efficient rig operations and well-integrity management. 

As a leader in well integrity data solutions, IPT Global supports operators strengthening well integrity, enhancing visibility, and improving decision-making to achieve greater efficiency from spud to completion. 

Breaking Down the Silos in Drilling Automation

One of the most significant barriers to effective automation is siloed operational data systems. Many rigs rely on multiple third-party service vendors, each with independent automation tools that rarely exchange data reliably or communicate in real time. This challenge is common across automation in oil and gas, where interoperability underpins digital efficiency. 

Through IPT Global’s work with a global supermajor, Cody showed how connecting service providers through interoperable systems enables the secure transfer of well integrity data. This unified data approach is essential for optimizing performance in drilling automation and achieving true rig data interoperability across the entire well lifecycle. 

Understanding the Physical Limits of Automation

Automation in drilling isn’t only a software problem — it’s also about hardware readiness. Certain tasks, like pressure testing, can’t be fully automated unless rigs are equipped with actuated sensors positioned correctly on choke manifold valves. 

Ultimately, successful rig automation depends on synchronization between physical infrastructure and intelligent digital systems. Software alone can’t deliver consistent, safe results without the right instrumentation in place.

The Risk of Automation Done Wrong

However, Cody cautioned that automation implemented without strong data governance and quality assurance control can have the opposite of its intended effect. In such cases, poorly designed systems or fragmented drilling data management practices may amplify errors instead of reducing them.

To prevent this, operators should: 

• Standardize data flows across vendors and technologies 
• Define clear roles and responsibilities for automation governance 
• Adopt a disciplined integration strategy that ensures consistent data quality

Who Owns the Data?

Operator data ownership remains one of the industry’s most critical challenge. From spud to abandonment, drilling data passes through multiple systems and stakeholders. Key questions include:

• Who controls how drilling data is collected, validated, and stored? 
• How is it quality-controlled (QC’d)? 
• And ultimately - who owns it? 

Cody proposed a data custodian model: an operator-driven framework that defines, governs, and enforces data standards for all service parties. This model ensures data remains accurate, accessible, and under operator control throughout the well lifecycle. 

Building the Future of Drilling Automation

Cody concluded that the future of drilling automation depends on collaboration, data transparency, and standardization. At IPT Global, we help operators connect systems, partners, and workflows to enable safer, smarter, and more efficient well delivery. 

As the energy industry continues its digital transformation, data integrity and rig-automation integration, and the adoption of standardized data custodian models will form the foundation of next generation automated well delivery systems.

Discover what’s possible with IPT Global’s integrated automation and data solutions. Visit our Well Integrity Solutions page or contact us today for more information.