The Baker Hughes rig count reached its peak during the last week in December 1981, at 4,530 rigs. The rig count bottomed out at 488 rigs during the week ending April 16, 1999. With the rig count for the week ending Feb. 5, 2016, dropping to 571 rigs, the industry was facing another nadir for working rigs.

However, this particular downturn is different than previous drops in the market, and technology has played a major role in that difference. High production from shale plays continues to baffle industry forecasters. The technology developed for directional and horizontal drilling over extended-reach wells and long laterals has changed the game and will continue to change the game.

Technology transfer from other industries is making an impact on how the industry conducts its drilling operations, maintains safety and reduces risks. At the same time, adding a new perspective from other industries to old oil industry problems has provided some impressive improvements in efficiency and equipment dependability.

In this report, E&P looked at how GE Oil & Gas is fully integrating technology across all of its businesses. The articles also delve into continuous circulation MPD, new bit design for long lateral drilling, improving drilling with casing, implementing a new shale shaker design and enhancing oil-based mud.

The next generation of drilling technology is already in development, preparing for the next upswing in oil and gas markets.

Read each of the "Drilling & Downhole" cover stories from E&P's March issue:

Driving productivity using technology, data, collaboration

MPD, continuous circulation systems increase safety levels, performance

Montney drilling benefits from targeted bit design, cutter development

Advanced drillable casing bit reaches TD in record time

Compact solids control system provides effective fluids management

Emulsion technology reduces O/W ratio to 40/60

Photo courtesy of WDI.

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