The Secret to EfficientDrilling is Hiding in Your Data

The third in a five-part series exploring how data can optimize your drilling operations.

Missed the last articles?
Boart Longyear: Optimizing Operations with Krux
Capital Drilling: Connecting the Dots with Real-Time Data

#3 Drilling Smarter, Earning Faster

As we’ve covered in this series, structured data is essential for tracking the right metrics, ensuring accuracy, and making timely decisions. The longer the delay in accessing and verifying data, the longer it takes for operations to move forward—and for companies to get paid. 

In a competitive industry like drilling, companies need to differentiate themselves by running efficient, transparent operations. But without a structured data system, delays in reporting lead to discrepancies, disputes, and payment hold-ups.

Beyond Metres Drilled

Traditionally, drilling success was measured by metres drilled. While this is an important metric, it’s only one part of a much bigger picture. Daily reports capture a wealth of valuable data, but if that information isn’t structured properly, it remains inaccessible, outdated, or inaccurate.

Jono Jeffery, Bamboo Rock Drilling's Chief Financial Officer (CFO), emphasizes how structured data improves decision-making:

“Data integrity is crucial as a company grows. Operating regionally, being able to look at the rigs and make assessments across different locations allows us to be more analytical.”

James Nevay, Bamboo Rock’s Group Chief Operations Officer (COO), explains:

“To be here for the long term, some decisions are easy—like taking the business forward and moving with the tides. When you’re stuck in the dark ages, how do you position yourself for the future?”

To remain competitive, companies must not only provide drilling services but also deliver accurate, timely analytics that streamline operations and build trust with clients.

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From the Field to the Office: Faster Data, Faster Payment

One of the biggest pain points in the industry is delayed payments caused by data inconsistencies.Without structured reporting, invoices are often disputed at the end of the month, leading to time-consuming back-and-forth discussions.

Kevin Norberg, President at Rodren Drilling adds, “it’s a lot of manual labour to collect unstructured data for proper invoicing and billing”

He continued, “there’s a need for continuous data collection and correction.”

Jeffery explains:

“It really comes down to efficiency. Our operations manager was spending more time in the office correcting data and answering questions, than in the field.”

He continued, “the teams are on-site for a reason, and there are rigs that need to be run. It’s important that their focus is on operations.”

With a structured data system, field teams can focus on drilling, while office teams can quickly verify and share validated data with clients. This transparency speeds up the approval process, eliminating end-of-month disputes.

“We now have a place to store all the important data, and at the click of a button, we can export it,” Jeffery says.

Jeffery added, “We can send that information to the teams immediately for assessment. It puts us on the front foot.”

End of Month-End Surprises

Previously, companies had to wait until the end of the month to identify billing issues, often when it was too late to correct them. Now, real-time reporting allows discrepancies to be addressed immediately 

“Before, we’d have to wait until the end of the month to review billing issues—by then, it’s too late,” Jeffery says 

He continued, “now, with daily reports and client interaction before final billing, we sort out issues before they start taking up days.”

By eliminating last-minute disputes, companies can get paid faster, improve cash flow, and strengthen relationships with clients.

Norberg added, “it’s a great tool for collaboration and understanding the roles in each company; from president, to operations, to client—everybody has access to the necessary information.”

The Real Cost of Discrepancies

For drilling contractors, efficiency isn’t just about drilling speed, it’s about maintaining transparency, reducing administrative bottlenecks, and eliminating disputes before they escalate.

“It’s important to us that we can be a contractor providing services at the same level as the big multinational companies while remaining very hands-on,” Nevay says.

“The best way to do this is to prepare for the future. Be the company that provides the service in the ground while also providing service afterward from an analytical perspective.” Nevay continued.

With real-time insights, issues are identified and resolved immediately, preventing them from turning into costly delays.

“Getting real-time data from the field, allows us to invoice with transparency to our clients,” said Norberg.

A Competitive Edge Through Transparency

In drilling, efficiency isn’t just about drilling speed—it’s about delivering results that clients can trust. 

By structuring data properly and resolving discrepancies in real time, contractors not only get paid faster but also build long-term partnerships.

As the industry moves forward, the companies that embrace transparency and data-driven decision-making will set themselves apart.

Norberg added, “we work with geologists trying to understand information from over a billion years ago, which is hard enough—now we’re able to find out what we did three weeks ago and document it in real-time.”