DrillDocs Company Profile

Background

Founded in 2020, DrillDocs is a Houston-based company specializing in digital rig surveillance technology. The company's mission is to assist drilling teams in making informed decisions during complex well construction by leveraging novel technologies. DrillDocs employs AI-powered cameras and data analytics to provide real-time insights into borehole stability, cuttings recovery, and solids control equipment performance. This approach aims to enhance safety and efficiency in drilling operations. The company's vision is to become the leading provider of camera-based sensors installed on offshore and high-risk onshore rigs, establishing their technology as a standard practice in wellbore construction and control.

Key Strategic Focus

DrillDocs focuses on integrating computer vision and AI technologies into drilling operations to optimize hole cleaning, detect wellbore instability, and improve shaker performance. Their proprietary CleanSight® system utilizes high-resolution optical cameras with embedded edge-computing capabilities to monitor drilled cuttings in real-time. This technology targets offshore and high-risk onshore drilling markets, aiming to reduce non-productive time and enhance operational safety.

Financials and Funding

As of January 2023, DrillDocs secured a $20,000 grant, contributing to their funding history. The company has also participated in seed funding rounds, with investors including the Texas A&M New Ventures Competition. The capital raised is intended to support the development and deployment of their CleanSight® system and other technological advancements.

Pipeline Development

DrillDocs' primary product, the CleanSight® system, has been deployed on multiple offshore rigs, including a contracted jack-up rig on the Norwegian Continental Shelf in collaboration with Aker BP. This deployment involved monitoring a 1,000-meter, 12¼-inch hole section, providing real-time drilled cuttings size distribution data. The company continues to expand its deployment pipeline, aiming to establish CleanSight® as a standard tool in offshore and high-risk onshore drilling operations.

Technological Platform and Innovation

DrillDocs' innovation centers around the CleanSight® system, a patented computer vision solution for digital shaker surveillance. The system employs explosion-proof industrial cameras with embedded edge computing to handle AI image extraction at the rig site. CleanSight® measures cuttings load variations, detects anomalous objects indicative of borehole instability, and monitors shaker performance to prevent equipment damage or safety incidents. The company holds multiple patents related to this technology, underscoring its commitment to innovation in drilling operations.

Leadership Team

Calvin Holt: Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. Calvin is a seasoned technical manager with a career focused on implementing emerging drilling technologies for leading oil and gas companies.

Francois Ruel: Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer. Francois is an inventor and founder of Hulix, an industrial engineering software company, bringing extensive experience in SCADA systems.

Brian Bogus: Chief Operating Officer. Brian has a background in developing software, mobile apps, web apps, and augmented reality solutions, working with organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies.

Advisory Board

DrillDocs has assembled an advisory board comprising experienced oil and gas executives to guide the company's strategic direction:

Fernando Assing: CEO of Camin Cargo Control Inc.

Gary Kolstad: Co-Founder and Chairman of Morpheus LLC.

Don Conkle: Co-Founder and Director of Morpheus LLC.

Marty Oehlbeck: Managing Director of Intellectual Portfolio LLC.

Michael Szafron: Vice President International Sales at Tactical Oilfield Products Inc.

Matt Bell: Co-Founder and Head Coach at Strategic Piece & MessageUp.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The drilling technology market is experiencing growth driven by the increasing complexity of drilling operations and the need for enhanced safety and efficiency. The integration of AI and computer vision technologies is becoming a significant trend, offering real-time data analysis and decision-making capabilities.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the digital drilling surveillance sector include:

Intelligent Mud Solutions AS: Offers onsite fluid analytics tools to optimize drilling fluid composition, enhancing drilling efficiency and reducing risks.

Enteq Technologies: Develops steer-at-bit rotary steerable systems for directional drilling, improving drilling performance and accuracy.

Safe Influx Ltd: Provides automated well control systems for continuous monitoring during drilling operations, aiming to enhance safety and reduce human error.

These companies focus on various aspects of drilling optimization and safety, contributing to a competitive landscape in the industry.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

DrillDocs has established significant collaborations to enhance its market position and technological capabilities:

Aker BP: Partnered to deploy the CleanSight® system on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, achieving industry-first real-time detection of wellbore cavings using computer vision.

University of Houston: Licensed software developed by UH professors to enable real-time analysis of drilling operations, enhancing the capabilities of the CleanSight® system.

Operational Insights

DrillDocs differentiates itself through the integration of AI and computer vision technologies into drilling operations, providing real-time data that enhances decision-making and operational efficiency. The company's focus on developing proprietary technologies and securing strategic partnerships positions it competitively in the drilling technology market.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

DrillDocs aims to expand the deployment of its CleanSight® system across offshore and high-risk onshore rigs, establishing it as a standard tool in drilling operations. The company plans to continue innovating in AI and computer vision applications, exploring new markets and applications within the oil and gas industry to drive growth and enhance drilling safety and efficiency.