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HOUSTON -- The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) has elected officers to lead the newly created Advanced Rig Technology committee (ART).

Steven Richards, of Key Energy, will serve as chairman. Jeff Swain, of Chevron, will serve as vice chairman, operators. David Reid, of National Oilwell Varco, will serve as vice chairman, service.

Four out of the five ART subcommittees, have chosen vice chairmen to chart the working group's progress.
Zain Master, of Caterpillar, will serve as vice chairman, software interface subcommittee. Logan Puckett, of Pride International, will serve as vice chairman, guidelines subcommittee. Robert Urbanowski, of Grey Wolf Drilling will serve as vice chairman, reliability committee. Frank Springett, of National Oilwell Varco, will serve as vice chairman, future technology subcommittee.

"The executives serving on the ART committee will address efficiencies and processes that will ultimately allow for advancements in rig technology. The collaborative effort by this committee demonstrates the drilling industry's commitment to meet the world's future oil and gas needs in the most efficient manner possible," says Lee Hunt, IADC president.

The five subcommittees will meet on various dates in August and September, and the full committee will come together on Sept. 30, 2008, at IADC's Houston headquarters.

The ART committee mission is to improve safety and efficiency through sound operating procedures, design of automated systems and standardizing automation. Issues of note include control philosophy, communication protocol between equipment, competency, and comprehensive automation of the complete drilling process, integrating surface and downhole equipment, including completion systems.

07/21/2008