The Wells for the Future Consortium and the Drilling Systems Research Lab focus on research in the following thematic areas:
- Drillstring dynamics and bit-rock interaction modelling to enable real-time estimation, optimization and control of the drilling process. Models are contributed annually to the Open Source Drilling Community to foster rapid development of high fidelity, efficient, and verifiable models.
- Next generation and hybrid bit designs that effectively combine different rock failure mechanisms to improve rock removal, reduce energy input, and extend drilling tool life.
- Real-time estimation, monitoring and control approaches to optimize drilling performance and reduce trips.
- Well design and completion technologies to enable long life wells for geothermal energy systems, energy storage, and carbon sequestration and storage.