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DrillWell Forum – Brisbane

On 10 September 2025, Brisbane hosted the DrillWell Forum for the very first time. Traditionally held in Western Australia, the forum’s move east reflects the growing importance of Queensland’s gas sector and the broader demand for innovation across the industry.
The event covered a diverse range of topics: from predictive analytics in drilling to the latest in automation, well integrity, and workover philosophy. Each presentation shared a common theme—data, technology, and process innovation are redefining how we drill, intervene, and safeguard well integrity.

Highlights included:

•  Predictive Data in Action: Origin Energy’s Max Millen demonstrated how automatic rock strength prediction is changing planning in data-limited environments.

• Integrity at the Core: Baker Hughes’ Manus Lang reinforced the role of casing integrity in gas storage wells and long-term safety.
• Automation with Accountability: Santos and SLB showcased ROP optimisation trials that saved up to 22 hours, while keeping human control central.

• Intervention Innovation: QGC’s George Pallath outlined the industry’s shift towards underbalanced workovers, supported by engineered control equivalency (ECE) and comprehensive safety layers.

• Market Update: Martin Flojgaard provided an overview of rig activity, with 21 rigs active onshore and several key offshore assets contracted into 2026.

For AWCC, the key message was clear: industry innovation must be matched by workforce readiness. Training, competence, and scenario-based learning are essential to ensuring that automation, ECE frameworks, and new well control expectations are delivered safely and effectively.
The DrillWell Forum showcased not just where the industry is heading—but also the need for collaboration between operators, service companies, and training providers to set the sector up for long-term success.

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