There's no shortage of lists available to summarize 2023, but here at Darcy, we have a unique data set with activity on Darcy Connect from over 10,000 energy company Connect Users. Our data highlights which innovators gained most attention on Darcy Connect through views, clicks, likes, follows, meetings scheduled, fundings, and other factors. Combined with analysis from our Research Team about technology developments and market traction, we have selected the Top 10 Innovators from 2023 in each of our coverage channels. This is our way of saying: "these are the innovators that your peers are most interested in, and that our Researchers view as novel and impactful - so you should learn more about them". In this article, you will find the Innovators that made it on the list.

But there is far more detail to look at than what you'll find here.

• The Innovator names/logos are linked to their Storefront, where you can find in-depth information on their products, business models, and insights. Here, connect users are able to schedule meetings with the Innovators or request updates
• Throughout Q1, you will find weekly articles like this with Top 10 lists from our Oil & Gas, Power & Utilities, Sustainability, and Energy Transition research programs
• There will also be a Darcy Live Event on each of the Best of Events. On the Event page, you can find the full Darcy Live schedule for Q1

Here, you can find the event page for Best of Drilling 2023 that occurred on February 7th, 2024.

The Top 10 Innovators from 2023 in Drilling (in random order):

• Kinetic Upstream - Renowned for their development of an automated Rotary Steerable System (RSS), the tool boasts a remarkable ability to maintain stable performance even in high-temperature environments and at high angle curves, making it ideal for navigating tight curves and long laterals. Additionally, Kinetic has launched their most recent two-way communication system (drill-com 2) that is multi-modal, wireless and able to connect with any motor and other RSS. Additionally, Kinetic are designing a RSS tool autonomous, self-adjusting based on geological conditions ( similar to autonomous geo-steering without the need for geologist intervention). Kinetic has most of its activities in MENAT, onshore Mexico, and South America.

• Gordon Technology - Stands out as an elite provider of MWD and LWD tools, specifically designed to withstand high temperatures and equipped with an anti-shock enclosure. Their tools ensure resilience and durability and ensure a reduction in vibration by more than 80%. Additionally, their tools have a low bit-to-sensor spacing and are agnostic to short-hop technology (across the motor) that can be integrated with RSS tools. Gordon Tech sold 25% of their shares to an Abu Dhabi investment firm in 2023, and went into a joint venture with ADNOC, opening up a facility in UAE to service the Emirates NOC.

• Full Metal Power - Is a dutch based power section manufacture that uses electro-chemical manufacturing (ECM) to precisely manufacture stator/rotor power sections rated at 850°F. Their tools find application in diverse settings such as drilling, thru-tubing, Progressive Cavity Pumps (PCP), and geothermal operations.

• Turnco - Offers quality assurance for down-hole drilling tools through digital inspection services and drill-pipe threading services. Turnco has a digital 'tool inventory repository' that references most tools inspection (similar to what a car goes through at the mechanic) and can check former maintenance and inspection reports. Based on an in-house database collected over the years, Turnco can optimize mud motor settings before being deployed to the field, thus improving durability and performance.

• Exebenus - Is a Norwegian real-time analytics platform designed to predict and prevent drilling hazards while enhancing drilling performance. Notably, Exebenus stuck pipe 'risk detection feature' has garnered praise from operators for meeting operational “ zero pipes stuck” KPI on multiple occasions. Additionally, Exebenus easy to use interface has allowed drillers and real-time monitoring centers leverage automatic activity recognition of procedures to verify operations are completed as planned and within safe operating windows. Exebenus has been used in onshore and offshore applications.

• Galatea - A Calgary-based, digital field service management (FSM) and waste coordinator management (WCM) platform. For FSM, Galatea stands out from the rest by being able to optimize cost from logistics, and compare performance of service trucking companies to provide the most optimal logistics options. For WCM and compliance, the platform can track and monitor the transportation of drilling waste from on-site to off-site locations. What sets Galatea apart is an enterprise waste management program that can segregate produced water, solids, hydrocarbons, commodities, and toxic waste and ensure that the operator is within compliance and offers automated electronic reporting to regulatory agencies. As of January 2024, Galatea is piloting project in the Permian.

• Clean Design - Has produced the world's first hybrid battery system for drilling rigs while also offering 24/7 insight into in-power generation. This innovative system not only saves fuel and reduces emissions but also minimizes drilling downtime. Clean Design was sold out/rented out a major portion of 2023, prompting management to double manufacturing for 2024. One of Clean Designs top clients and strategic partners in Precision Drilling.

• Opla Energy - Has revolutionized pressure management with its patented Pressure Management Device (PMD) tool, which replaces traditional Rotating Control Devices (RCDs) with its automated choke on a BOP and can ensures real-time data streaming in a Real-Time Operations Center (RTOC). Opla has an all electrical and non-linear control system that can decreases the rig up/down time while the system has the ability to run autonomously based on desired bottom-hole pressures versus operating by set point. Opla has advanced modeling for PMCD, DGD, and for 'managed pressure cementing'. Furthermore, one of Opla's strategic partners is Citadel Drilling.

• Experwell - Is a Norwegian company known for its green resin/sealant as a cement alternative or Lost Circulation Material (LCM), which can be used during drilling and well integrity operations. The applications range from packer leak sealant, CCA, water shut-off, zonal isolation, P&A, remediating micro-channeling/gas migration, and kick-off plug. The resin is free from particulates and serves as an eternal well-barrier solution. Lastly, Experwell has most of its deployments offshore applications.

• Modern Wellbore - Presents a novel full-bore, multi-junction tool capable of drilling and completing multilateral wells in both unconventional and conventional assets. With a rating of 15,000 PSI, this tool can withstand the conditions encountered during multi-stage frac jobs. The tool retains full bore, is stackable and each lateral can be independently selected with internal sleeves. The tool was developed with partnership of Canadian operators wanting to frac multilateral wells in unconventional/shale formation. However, the tool has shown versatile capability to other applications, such as CHOPS operations, and slotted liner applications to ensure no well-bore collapse.

Let us know if you have any questions or comments about this list in the comment section below. We're looking forward to another year of exciting and insightful research!