Introduction
Founded in 2017, a rapidly rising player in the drilling industry has established a reputation as a force of innovation in MWD (Measurement While Drilling) operations, downhole tools, and software technology. With a clear mission to redefine how unconventional wells are developed, this company is now recognized for its commitment to creating faster, more robust, and more reliable intelligent systems. Their goal is nothing short of revolutionizing downhole tool performance through cutting-edge software and ruggedized technology that supports smarter, real-time decision-making at the rig site.
While building a portfolio of advanced downhole tools and offering equipment rentals, this emerging leader focused on expanding their technology offerings. They weren’t just innovating on what went down the hole—they were also rethinking how their systems communicated and processed data.
But to fully realize this vision, they faced a major obstacle: outdated computing infrastructure that was limiting efficiency, unable to support the demands of real-time data processing, and compromising safety and responsiveness due to fragmented hardware.
Challenges: Overcoming the Limitations of Outdated Systems
Despite their vision for real-time, intelligent drilling systems, the company’s operational capabilities were constrained by outdated rig-floor setups. They were relying on conventional, low-powered Hazloc C1D2 computers, each requiring separate external communications boxes and power supplies and a hard-wired data link back to the outside world. This cluttered the workspace, increased the number of failure points, and made field deployments cumbersome.
Operator control was limited, making real-time adjustments difficult and often requiring reliance on offsite data processing. This reduced responsiveness delayed the real-time operational decision-making needed to succeed in unconventional well operations.
The Solution: Revolutionizing Rig-Floor Computing with Acura’s Hazloc Computers
To overcome these limitations, the company turned to Acura for a computing solution that could match the ambition of their intelligent systems. Acura delivered a fully customized integration, centered around its rugged Roughneck PC, that transformed the rig-floor computing environment.
Key improvements included:
- Integrated pressure board and MWD decoder directly into the Hazloc-certified computer, eliminating external boxes and power supplies.
- Real-time data processing on-site, enabling immediate adjustments without relying on offsite computing trailers.
- Integrated 5G-LTE modem for wireless connectivity and real-time data transmission back to the operations center.
- Support for a second MWD decoder, doubling the image sampling rate, enabling advanced analytics, and setting a new benchmark in what is possible in well-bore imaging.
This new setup allowed field crews to make smarter, faster decisions with fewer points of failure. By consolidating several pieces of equipment into one ruggedized, all-in-one platform, the operator reduced their rig-up time and simplified their overall setup without compromising on performance.
Achieving Results: Boosting Efficiency and Opening New Possibilities
After implementing Acura’s custom computing solution, the emerging MWD operator saw immediate, tangible improvements. The upgraded system enhanced data processing capabilities and directly contributed to gains in drilling efficiency. These changes laid the foundation for broader operational benefits, including stronger brand presence and accelerated business growth.
Doubled image sampling rate enhanced drilling performance.
By integrating a second MWD decoder into the Roughneck HMI, Acura doubled their image sampling rate. This significantly improved the quality and speed of image processing, giving engineers more accurate insights into subsurface conditions. In unconventional wells—where real-time data clarity directly impacts drilling efficiency and resource recovery—this advancement became a key competitive advantage.
Rapid deployment enabled global scaling.
The entire solution was designed to be deployable in a single portable case. This made it easier to move between job sites, reducing logistical overhead and speeding up deployment timelines. The simplicity and speed of setup proved especially valuable as the company expanded its reach into more drilling projects and international operations.
Rig data is available from anywhere.
Acura’s secure wireless connectivity made rig site data operations accessible to key stakeholders anytime, anywhere. It opened the door for cloud computing solutions, push notifications on critical rig activity, remote operations, and automated, event-triggered reporting—enhancing both safety and efficiency across the board.
White-labeled hardware supported brand expansion.
Acura’s rugged computing systems were white-labeled to match the operator’s brand. This allowed them to maintain a consistent visual identity while delivering advanced services. With this branding control, the company was able to reinforce its presence in the field and align the technology with its growing reputation.
Business growth established them as a dominant player.
What began as a performance upgrade turned into a springboard for global expansion. The operator was able to deploy a robust fleet of systems that supported their broader vision. As a result, they rapidly captured more market share and solidified their reputation as a dominant player in the MWD industry.
Conclusion: The Path to Modernizing Rig-Floor Operations
The drilling industry continues to evolve, but the core challenge remains the same: to maximize efficiency, safety, and performance in unpredictable, high-risk environments. For companies committed to delivering real-time intelligence and advanced tools, the technology behind the scenes matters as much as the tools themselves.
This case demonstrates how upgrading rig-floor computing can unlock new possibilities in operational performance, software integration, and data-driven decision-making. As this emerging MWD operator showed, the move from fragmented, outdated systems to a rugged, all-in-one computing platform was the catalyst for faster growth and market leadership.
By upgrading to Acura’s integrated Hazloc-certified computing systems, drilling companies can streamline operations, reduce equipment failure points, and future-proof their infrastructure for the increasing demands of digital oilfield operations.
