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Expro has achieved a significant milestone in offshore energy operations with the successful first deployment of its autonomous iTONG system in Sub-Sahara Africa. This groundbreaking Tubular Running Services (TRS) technology, now operational in deepwater off the Côte d'Ivoire, is dramatically enhancing efficiency, safety, and cost savings for a major offshore operator, marking a new era for advanced drilling operations in the region.

The deployment aboard the Deep Value Driller (DVD) drillship, which arrived in Côte d'Ivoire in late 2023, is a crucial component of the ongoing expansion of the Baleine field, Africa's largest hydrocarbon discovery, for client Eni. This success builds upon iTONG’s initial operational debut in Norway in 2021, showcasing its adaptability and robust performance in diverse and challenging deepwater environments.

Expro's iTONG system stands out as one of the industry's most technologically advanced tong systems, meticulously designed to address critical industry needs: enhanced safety, optimized efficiency, and reduced environmental impact. A cornerstone of its innovation is the complete elimination of personnel from the rig floor's hazardous Red Zone. This automation drastically mitigates risks associated with manual operations, safeguarding the well-being of offshore crews.

Beyond safety, iTONG delivers unparalleled operational efficiency. By automating the connection make-up and break-out of casing and tubing joints, it offers precise torque control, all managed safely from the driller’s cabin with the push of a single button. This capability not only streamlines the process but also enables full connection make-up validation, ensuring the integrity and reliability of every well construction. The significant reduction in rig time directly translates to a notable decrease in net CO2 emissions throughout the well construction lifecycle.

Following a rapid and efficient delivery, installation, and commissioning process on the DVD drillship, the iTONG system swiftly began transforming offshore operations. The results have been exceptionally positive, demonstrating the technology's immediate and profound impact on project economics and timelines. Connection make-up times have been dramatically cut by 50%, leading to an estimated cost saving of approximately $200,000 per well project. Furthermore, the 'park-to-park' connection times, a critical metric for drilling efficiency, have been reduced from 180 seconds with previous remote technologies to a mere 90 seconds.

Jeremy Angelle, Vice President of Well Construction at Expro, expressed immense satisfaction with the system's performance. "Since its introduction to Norway four years ago, iTONGâ„¢ has been recognized by major operators as a top-tier solution for tubular connection make-up and validation," he commented.3 "In this case, its performance has exceeded expectations, with a 50% reduction in make-up times. The vision and commitment demonstrated by both Eni and Expro in introducing this technology to Africa exemplify a shared dedication to safer, more efficient operations."