SPE’s Drilling Systems Automation Technical Section (DSATS) chartered a sub-committee to oversee the Drillbotics(TM) student competition. This team of volunteers plans the competitive focus of each year’s program and updates the guidelines accordingly. They help find sponsors, encourage new schools to participate and recruit new judges. The students submit their design reports on New Year’s eve. The committee then has only a few weeks to read and rate the submittals. They monitor student progress via monthly reports from each school and provide answers as questions arise. Near the end of the school term, the judges travel to the universities to witness the on-site tests. Finally, they convene via a conference call to select the winning teams. Their commitment to the program, as evidenced by the hours they spend helping out, is considerable.
We want to thank this year’s members for their service to the Drillbotics program:
Aaron Logan Evolution Engineering Nii Nunoo National Oilwell Varco Mark Hutchinson Leader Drilling Neil Panchal Shell Veronica Simonds Shell Brian Tarr Shell Miguel Armenta Shell Suresh Venugopal Consultant Max Trombitas Bauer
All the best, everyone!
Fred Florence, Chair
