Event Programme

Opening Session

The Opening Session of APDT 2026 will formally commence the conference, welcoming distinguished industry leaders, partners, and delegates from across the Asia Pacific region and beyond. Senior representatives from SPE, IADC, and host country stakeholders will set the tone for the event, highlighting the strategic importance of drilling technology, regional collaboration, and operational excellence in today’s evolving energy landscape.

Keynote Address

The Keynote Address will provide high-level strategic insights into the future of drilling in Asia Pacific, addressing emerging challenges, innovation pathways, and the role of leadership in navigating a complex and dynamic operating environment. Delivered by an esteemed industry leaders, the keynote will inspire forward-thinking dialogue and set the direction for the technical and business discussions that follow throughout the conference.

As the energy landscape continues to evolve, drilling and wells operations must become smarter, faster, and more sustainable. This Executive Plenary brings together senior industry leaders to examine how innovation, digital intelligence, and strategic leadership are redefining performance across the full wells lifecycle.

The discussion will explore:

• Transforming drilling efficiency through optimised well design and execution
• Embedding digital intelligence across the entire drilling and wells value chain
• Scaling automation and AI adoption to enhance operational consistency and performance
• Advancing real-time data integration and data-driven decision-making
• Building a future-ready workforce equipped with advanced digital competencies
• Delivering safe, cost-effective, and sustainable wells to support energy security and long-term growth

This high-level dialogue will provide strategic perspectives on how operators, drilling contractors, service providers, and regulators can collaborate to accelerate innovation, strengthen operational excellence, and position the industry for an intelligent and resilient energy future.

The drilling industry is rapidly evolving from data collection to data-driven execution. As digital capabilities mature, organisations are harnessing operational data to enable smarter, faster, and safer drilling decisions.

This panel will explore how companies are transforming vast volumes of real-time and historical data into actionable intelligence that enhances performance across the drilling value chain.

Key discussion themes include:

• Moving from data to decision-making through integrated digital platforms
• Scaling AI, automation, and machine learning in drilling operations
• Leveraging real-time data integration for predictive performance and optimisation
• Strengthening collaboration between operators, drilling contractors, and service providers through shared digital ecosystems
• Addressing cybersecurity, data governance, and system interoperability challenges
• Delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, safety, and cost optimisation

Panellists will share practical insights on embedding digital intelligence into daily drilling operations and discuss the organisational, leadership, and cultural shifts required to unlock its full potential at scale.

As drilling operations expand into increasingly complex environments — from deepwater and ultra-deepwater to HPHT and other technically challenging reservoirs — technological innovation becomes essential to unlocking value safely, efficiently, and sustainably.

This panel brings together senior industry leaders to examine how frontier challenges are shaping the next wave of engineering breakthroughs, advanced equipment design, and integrated well solutions across the global drilling landscape.

Key discussion themes include:

• Advancing drilling performance in deepwater and ultra-deepwater environments
• Managing risk in HPHT and technically complex reservoirs
• Enabling innovation in non-conventional and emerging plays
• Strengthening collaboration across operators, drilling contractors, and technology providers
• Balancing cost efficiency, safety, and operational resilience
• Accelerating deployment of next-generation drilling systems, materials, and digital-enabled technologies

Panellists will share strategic insights on how the industry can continue to push technological boundaries while maintaining operational excellence, reliability, and long-term field development success in high-risk and high-value environments.