Abstract The global upstream oil and gas sector is under mounting pressure to simultaneously improve operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Land drilling rigs, particularly in high-output regions like Saudi Arabia, rely heavily on diesel generators, consuming over 2.5 million liters of fuel per rig annually. Consequently, this leads to elevated operating expenses and considerable CO₂ emissions. To address this, the team has developed and deployed the Intelligent Power Management (IPM) system—an integrated solution combining real-time fuel monitoring, load-responsive generator control, and lithium-based battery energy storage. This paper explores the potential for power saving and power management strategies to improve sustainability, performance, and reliability in the drilling industry. It examines various technologies and approaches, including live fuel/load monitoring, dependent start-stop techniques, and battery storage systems. The study also considers the potential integration of renewable energy sources for battery charging, energy-efficient prime mover operation and maintenance, optimal utilization of drilling equipment power, and improved drilling practices. The paper also discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing these solutions. In collaboration with the field operator and rig contractor, the IPM system demonstrated a 17% reduction in fuel consumption, a 46% decrease in genset runtime, and daily CO₂ savings exceeding two metric tons. These results were achieved without compromising drilling performance, validating the system's ability to meet both sustainability and reliability objectives. This paper presents the IPM system architecture, deployment methodology, field performance data, and a roadmap for future enhancements, including hybridization with solar and hydrogen systems. The findings highlight the IPM system's potential to become a new standard for energy-efficient, low-emission drilling operations in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and global decarbonization targets. The study provides valuable insights for drilling companies, equipment manufacturers, and policymakers seeking to enhance the sustainability of the drilling industry.
Ghali et al. (Tue,) studied this question.