Merlin RtDS™ continuously interprets drilling data in real time, providing a clear understanding of what is happening as operations unfold. Our advisors deliver active decision support, offering practical, timely guidance that helps teams respond effectively to changing conditions.
By maintaining alignment between engineering intent and real-world execution, RtDS™ ensures plans remain connected to actual well behaviour throughout. Experienced advisors are embedded remotely into your operation, bringing rig-based knowledge and judgement without the need for constant on-site presence.
Merlin engineers challenge assumptions, identify gaps early, and hold the operation accountable, keeping the well aligned with its objectives and moving forward.
Drive Performance
Merlin don’t just identify issues, we help resolve them and maintain project momentum to stay on schedule.
Minimize NPT
Anticipate and mitigate potential issues before they escalate, reducing NPT (non-productive time) and maintaining consistent progress.
Reduce Drilling Risks
Minimize the risk of costly mistakes and equipment failures using Merlin’s knowledge of the local geology and best practices in drilling techniques.
Enhance Execution
Industry leading engineers provide better project planning and execution strategies, which can lead to more predictable and manageable project costs.
What RtDS™ Means for Your Operation
RtDS™ Benefits
- Real-time interpretation of drilling data as operations unfold
- Active decision support from experienced drilling advisors
- Early identification of deviations, trends, and emerging risks
- Direct engagement with engineering and operational teams
- Remote delivery model reducing logistics and need for travel to site
- Lower reliance on full-time on-site personnel, reducing operational overhead
- Scalable support allowing Merlin advisors to work across multiple wells and projects
RtDS™ Outcomes
- Faster, more confident decision-making during critical operations
- Reduced non-productive time through earlier intervention
- Improved drilling performance across complex sections
- Stronger alignment between rig, office, and engineering teams
- Increased control over evolving well conditions
- Reduced escalation of minor issues into major problems
- Greater consistency in execution across the well
RtDS™ Technical Insight
RtDS™ continuously interprets a range of key drilling parameters to build a clear, real-time understanding of well conditions and performance.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Torque and drag behaviour
- ECD and pressure trends
- Hole cleaning and cuttings transport
- Pick-up and slack-off weights vs model
- Drilling performance and ROP trends
These parameters are not viewed in isolation, they are interpreted together, in context, to identify emerging trends, deviations from plan, and potential risks early.
RtDS™ Early Risk Identification
RtDS™ continuously interprets real-time drilling data to identify emerging trends, deviations, and potential risks early.
Merlin monitor changes that indicate developing issues, such as:
- Early signs of instability or wellbore issues
- Increasing friction or abnormal drag trends
- Changes in pressure behaviour and ECD margins
- Indicators of poor hole cleaning
- Deviation from expected drilling performance
This forward-looking approach allows teams to take action early, reducing the likelihood of escalation and improving overall well performance.
Strengthening Execution at Every Stage
Expert Insight
Merlin RtDS™ gives operators direct access to world-leading drilling engineers who bring decades of real-world experience into every project. Acting as an extension of the team, Merlin engineers continuously interpret live data, challenge assumptions, and provide clear, actionable guidance to keep operations aligned with plan. Their combined engineering and operational insight ensures risks are identified early, decisions are made with confidence, and performance is optimised at every stage. With Merlin in your corner, projects benefit from deeper understanding, stronger execution, and more consistent delivery of successful well outcomes.
Early Risk Identification & Prevention
Merlin RtDS™ focuses on identifying deviations, trends, and emerging risks at the earliest possible stage of the operation. By continuously analysing real-time data against the planned well profile and expected conditions, Merlin engineers detect subtle changes that may indicate developing issues. This enables proactive intervention before problems escalate into non-productive time or wellbore instability. With a forward-looking approach, RtDS™ helps maintain control, protect performance, and ensure operations stay on track from planning through execution.
Keeping Operations on Track
Merlin RtDS™ brings together real-time data, experienced engineering judgement, and continuous operational support to strengthen decision-making throughout the well. By embedding expert advisors remotely and actively interpreting drilling conditions as they evolve, RtDS™ enables early risk identification, maintains alignment between plan and execution, and supports consistent, high-quality performance. The result is a more controlled operation, reduced uncertainty, and improved delivery of complex wells.
Scalable Support Across Operations
Merlin RtDS™ is designed to scale, allowing experienced drilling advisors to support multiple wells and operations simultaneously without compromising quality or focus. By operating remotely and maintaining continuous oversight across projects, Merlin ensures consistent, high-quality decision support regardless of location or complexity. This approach reduces the need for on-site personnel while maintaining strong engagement with each operation. With a scalable model, RtDS™ enables efficient use of expertise, supports multiple active wells in parallel, and ensures reliable, consistent performance across projects.
