DROPS Forum - Aberdeen, 27th May 2026

This session was attended by a broad range of representatives from across the regional Wells and Drilling sector, Service Partners and Specialists. The agenda promoted opportunities to highlight industry commitment to ‘Failing Safe’ and to illustrate a selection of (Red) Zone Management Technologies.

Using digital insights to detect weak signals in normal work – Wim Hinoul, Shell

Fail Safe vs Fail Lucky: Statistics continue to show that serious / high potential incidents continue to occur on and around the drill floor. There are limitations to fail-safe assumptions; incidents may exceed established controls.  

Wim also introduced inattentional blindness factors in routine work (risk exposure in plain sight going unnoticed, routine risks cognitively filtered out, self-monitoring becomes weak etc).

Real-time control and intervention systems are therefore fundamental in managing work in hazardous areas, moving forward from retrospective reporting and subsequent learnings.

Wim comparatively referenced success with Shell International’s In Vehicle Monitoring Systems (IVMS). Now fitted to almost the entire fleet of company vehicles, it has reinforced safe habits behind the wheel. Over the implementation period, benefits have also included real time feedback, visibility of critical Life Saving Rule exposure, actionable analytics on trends and recurring risk patterns, optimised planning and lower maintenance too.

Increasing the Strength of Control: Industry recognises frailties of existing established physical and procedural controls. New technology-based systems have provided Line of Sight monitoring and Intervention Based alerts.

Interlocking systems are being explored and implemented. Ultimately automation is the ideal where practicable.

Wim offered some thought regarding the development and implementation of technology-based Zone Management systems.

Systems need to be simple and integrated with advanced analytics and accessories (i.e. wearables), recognise the rig state, be cognisant of Human Performance (i.e. potential for ‘alarm overload’).

Key messages (Learning before failure!):

• Learning from normal work, not just events. Weak signals live in everyday success – if we wait for failure, we are already late.
• Understanding work as done, not imagined. Digital insights exposes the gap between procedures and reality.
• Data does not equal control. Dashboards create awareness; control comes from acting on what the data is telling us.

Learning from Incidents – Kevin Pope (H&P Inc)

An opportunity to review a recent ‘high potential’ incident where personnel were exposed within the drill floor red zone. A Mud Saver weighing 40kg dropped 14m following contact with the rim of a stationery liner joint.

The presentation included CCTV footage supported by a series of Causes and Recommendations. Key highlights included:

• Misalignment - Insufficient visibility of connection interface
• Operating at Improper Speed – no clearly defined speed limit
• Impaired visibility – impaired decision making
• Previous learnings not embedded
• Lack of two-way communication
• Poor equipment positioning – no remote-control option
• Human Performance (including task fixation, cognitive overload, memory gap, limited situational awareness, confusion etc)

Available as a download, formatted in PowerPoint and designed to be used as a learning resource / workshop discussion.

Click here to visit the download page.

Advancing Site Safety & Observability using Agora Edge AI – Joy Barua (SLB)

A fascinating technology presentation illustrating the development and implementation of Agora Edge - intelligent zone monitoring across SLB facilities and worksites.

The system incorporates several features including:

• Alerting personnel to line-of-fire exposure
• Detecting zone breaches
• Monitoring physical ergonomics
• Gathering and analysing data to inform corrective actions and learnings.

To find out more, please contact Joy directly at JBarua@slb.com

Red Zone Management - Alan Finlay (CEO, Salunda)

An informative and thought provoking presentation featuring Salunda Red Zone Management (RZM) technologies.

The Salunda Crew Hawk Wireless Red Zone Monitoring system employs advanced radio frequency technology to track the location of crew and equipment within designated areas.

HaloGuard Optical Red Zone Monitoring leverages optical ranging cameras and AI machine vision technology to precisely track equipment and personnel in monitored areas and can be used in combination with Crew Hawk.

The presentation highlighted the importance of communicating alarm states directly to all personnel working in and around the Red Zone (i.e. through ‘wearables’).

To find out more, please contact Jovan Govorusa jgovorusa@salunda.com

Visit the Salunda website (www.salunda.com)

Role of Red Zone Management - Lukasz Szadkowski (NOV)

Lukasz outlined NOVs comprehensive approach in addressing Red Zone Management and Cone of Exposure risk.

Key highlights included:

• Application of Hierarchy of Control
• Focusing on physical elimination (i.e. equipment improvements, reduction in parts etc)
• Automation where practicable

Also included was a demonstration of the zone monitoring system employed by NOV.

To find out more, please contact Lukasz.Szadkowski@nov.com

Implementing DROPS across all Assets – Ross McLeod (CEO, Intebloc)

InteCheck is a task-driven platform that digitises safety inspections and maintenance checks for industrial equipment.

It enables real-time data capture, automated email alerts and efficient management of tool issue/return processes.

Designed to enhance safety, reduce human error by eliminating paper-based systems, InteCheck supports proactive decision making and operational efficiency in high-risk environments.

Focusing on DROPS inspections and Tools Aloft management, InteCheck features a number of functions including:

• Proactive risk identification, consistent inspection checklists
• Streamlined tools aloft tracking, visual accountability
• Instant access to data, smarter decision making on site
• Detailed history, review functionality and trend analysis
• Seamless integration, easy to integrate and deploy

Please contact Ross at rmcleod@intebloc.com for more information.

Visit the website at www.intebloc.com

Next Forum (TBC) Tuesday 10 November 2026 (Marcliffe Aberdeen)