Halliburton Acquires Sekal To Expand Drilling Automation Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry • Yesterday at 4:18 PM

Halliburton announced it has acquired Sekal AS from Sumitomo Corporation, strengthening its position in digital drilling automation and advancing its strategy to enhance well construction efficiency and performance.

Sekal, previously a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation, is recognized as a global leader in digital drilling autonomy. The acquisition combines Halliburton’s LOGIX automation and remote operations technologies with Sekal’s DrillTronics automation platform, creating a more comprehensive and integrated drilling automation portfolio.

The combined capabilities are designed to improve well placement, optimize wellbore hydraulics, and enable real-time rig automation. Halliburton said the integration of these systems supports seamless automated control of drilling operations, enhancing efficiency and consistency across projects.

The companies noted that Sekal’s solutions have already been deployed in more than 1,300 wells globally. With the integration into Halliburton’s broader technology stack, customers are expected to benefit from improved reservoir contact, reduced operational risks, and faster well delivery times.

According to Halliburton, the combined automation platform can reduce well delivery times by up to 25% through advanced modeling, dynamic drilling parameter optimization, and fully automated tripping operations.

The transaction also reflects ongoing collaboration between Halliburton and Sumitomo Corporation, with both companies emphasizing continued partnership in advancing digital solutions within the global energy sector.

KEY QUOTES:

“This acquisition rapidly expands our automation capabilities and delivers industry-leading digital solutions that lower well construction costs, increase recovery, and reduce operational risks for our customers. By bringing together our field-proven technologies, we unlock the full potential of digital well construction and set a new standard for automated drilling operations.”

Jim Collins, Vice President, Halliburton Sperry Drilling

“Joining Halliburton is a natural evolution for Sekal. The team at Sekal has worked closely with our clients providing our technology and services to the industry regardless of the service providers. While we will continue to support this market, the opportunity with the combined expertise of Halliburton and Sekal to advance our technical capability and accelerate the adoption of digitally integrated well construction will deliver a unique automation solution to our new and existing customers worldwide.”

Jarle Vaag, CEO, Sekal

“To date, Sekal’s solutions have been deployed in more than 1,300 wells worldwide. This transaction underscores the continued collaboration between Sumitomo Corporation and Halliburton to further deepen our relationship, including in the digital domain, create long-term value, and support the development of the global energy sector.”

Masahiro Yoshimura, General Manager, Energy Tubular Strategic Business Unit, Sumitomo Corporation