We are delighted to share the outstanding achievement of the Clausthal University of Technology Drillbotics® Team, which emerged victorious in the 2022/2023 International Drillbotics® Group B (Physical Rig) Competition. The competition, organized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers Drilling Systems Automation Technical Section (DSATS) and hosted this year by the University of Mons, Belgium, showcased the team’s exceptional performance and innovation in the field of autonomous lab-scale directional drilling rigs.

Led by student team members Charalampos Soilemezidis, Kanaan Al Maasarani, Ali Alkhawaja, and Farouk Jamali, the team was guided by Wolfgang Hollstein and Erik Feldmann, with advisory support from Prof. Dr. Philip Jaeger, Dr. Carlos Paz, and Ramez Abdalla.

The TU Clausthal team’s rig, which measures 2 x 1 x 3 meters, is capable of operating at speeds up to 3000 RPM and boasts a top rate of penetration of about 1.6 mm per second in sandstone. The rig features an integrated mechanical rotary steerable system (RSS) to enable steering capability within a 1.5-inch borehole, achieving steering rates of up to 4° per 10 cm. A distinctive feature of this rig is its decentralized control system, which allows it to be operated from any location worldwide.

Amidst a competitive field, the rig garnered attention for its modularity, adaptability, and impressive performance. By integrating an advanced mechanical steerable system, algorithms, and sensors, their rig is able to respond to varying drilling conditions, ensuring optimal drilling speed and stability while executing a directional well.

Competition Journey:

Day 1: Rig Preparation and Travel

The team efficiently disassembled the rig at the university’s digital drilling lab, taking advantage of its modular design for easy transportation. Transported via a trailer, the rig safely arrived in Mons, Belgium, setting the stage for the competition.

Day 2: Setup, Calibration, and Testing

Rigging and station setup were completed quickly, followed by calibration and testing to ensure readiness for the upcoming competition.

Day 3: Competition Day (July 6)

The competition day began with team presentations, followed by the drilling challenge. The team encountered minor issues with their automated algorithm, prompting them to switch to a semi-automated approach. Regardless, the rig demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving remarkable penetration rates and steering of up to 4 degrees per 10 cm. The team’s adaptability and ingenuity were clearly demonstrated as they adjusted the drilling process on the fly, leading to the successful drilling of an S-curve trajectory defined by four coordinates.

The competition concluded with interviews and a Q&A session with the judges, who praised the teams for their efforts. The Clausthal team’s impressive results led to their well-deserved victory in Group B (Physical Rig).

The team’s victory signifies their pioneering contributions to drilling automation and robotics. It opens new opportunities for their careers and underscores the quality of education at Clausthal University of Technology. Notably, the winning team will collaborate with the Group A winners (Virtual Rig) to draft a joint paper for presentation at the 2024 SPE/IADC International Drilling Conference and Exhibition in Galveston, Texas. Until then, stay tuned for more updates from the team at Celle Drilling 23 in Celle and at the SPE STC 23 in Clausthal!

The SPE TU Clausthal Student Chapter extends heartfelt congratulations to the winning team for their remarkable achievement, which serves as an inspiration to future engineers worldwide.

The team expresses gratitude to their partners, sponsors, and donors—including KCA Deutag, Baker Hughes, MICON-Drilling GmbH, ITE Engineering GmbH, the Institute of Subsurface Energy Systems, TU Clausthal, and the TU Clausthal SPE Student Chapter—for their invaluable support.

The team eagerly anticipates industry support for their upcoming projects in 2024, as they continue to strive to advance drilling automation and robotics, and they look forward to welcoming new team members.

Contact:

Erik Feldmann