Register Now for the IADC DEC Q1 2026 Tech Forum – March 26, 2026 – Houston, TX

IADC DEC Tech Forum – “Is Drilling Engineering Evolving? How is AI Enabling?”

Thursday, March 26, 2026
8:30 AM – 12:30 PM (All times Central)
08:30 Houston | 14:30 UK | 17:30 Dubai

Venue: Wild Well Control
2202 Oil Center Ct
Houston, TX 77073

Format: Hybrid Event (In-Person & Virtual Attendance Available)

About the Forum

What emerging processes and technologies — including Generative AI — are redefining well value? Drilling engineers play a pivotal role in well construction, influencing design, delivery, and intervention strategies through structured workflows and decision frameworks. As connectivity increases across subsurface, drilling, production, and abandonment phases, advanced digital tools are reshaping the entire well lifecycle.

The IADC Drilling Engineers Committee (DEC) Q1 2026 Technology Forum will examine next-generation drilling tools, workflows, and AI-enabled processes — and how they integrate with human expertise.

Topics include:

• Well design optimization
• Operational reporting automation
• Preventive maintenance strategies
• KPI-driven performance tracking
• Continuous improvement frameworks
• AI readiness and investment strategy

Special thanks to our host, Wild Well Control.

Virtual Attendance Information

• The Zoom invitation will be emailed to registered virtual attendees the day before the event.
• Please check spam/junk folders if the email is not visible in your inbox.
• If you have not received your Zoom link by 3:00 PM CST on March 25, contact support.

Agenda

08:30 – 08:45
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Matt Isbell (DEC Chairman, Hess)
Facility & Safety Briefing – Wild Well Control
Event Introduction – Michael Edwards & Andrew Barry (DEC Board Members)

08:45 – 09:05
“The Drilling Engineer’s Guide to AI Readiness”
Rob Blue, AI Driller

09:05 – 09:25
“Applying Generative AI to Support Well Plan Creation”
Hamza Raza, Nabors

09:25 – 09:45
“Transforming Operational Reporting: Automating DDR Data Capture”
Fabio Concina, Kwantis

09:45 – 09:55
Coffee Break

09:55 – 10:15
“AI-Enabled Drilling Time & Risk Estimation”
Andres Nunez Davila, SLB

10:15 – 10:35
“Using Large Language Models in Modern Well Engineering”
Gaute Haansnar, Oliasoft

10:35 – 10:55
“Hole Cleaning & Borehole Stability Management with Real-Time Modeling”
Abraham Montes, The University of Texas at Austin

10:55 – 11:10
Short Break (Lunch boxes available)

11:10 – 11:30
“SMEs Make the Model: Why AI Succeeds at Large Operators but Struggles at Smaller Ones”
John de Wardt (DE WARDT AND COMPANY)

Peter Kowalchuk (Taurex Drill Bits)

11:30 – 12:30
Interactive Panel Session Featuring:
Steve Bowman (Chevron)
Josh Etkins (Thinkonward, Shell Co)
Todd Fox (H&P)
Leianne Sanclemente (Superior Energy Services)

12:30 – Adjournment

Join industry leaders, drilling engineers, and technology innovators for a focused discussion on how AI is reshaping drilling engineering — and what it takes to adopt it successfully.