IADC Drilling Middle East 2026 Conference & Exhibition

07:30 Conference Registration, Coffee Service, Open Exhibition & Poster Session – Sponsored by H&P

08:30 Welcome, Introduction & Safety Briefing: Hisham Zebian, Vice President Eastern Hemisphere, IADC

08.40 Opening Presentation: tbn

09:00 Keynote Presentation: Abdulla Ateya Al Messabi, Chief Executive Officer, ADNOC Drilling

09:20 Market Outlook: Aditya Saraswat, Research Director, MENA, Rystad Energy

09:50 Featured Presentation: iktva & Local Content at ARO Drilling: Reem Alotaib, Senior Specialist – Business Development, ARO

10:10 Networking Break & Open Exhibition– Sponsored by H&P

10:40 Panel: Resilient Operations during Challenging Times
Moderators: Kenny Adams, Head of QHSET Eastern Hemisphere Land, H&P & Malek Alanezi, Managing Director, HMH
In today’s increasingly volatile operating environment, operational resilience has become critical for the drilling industry. This panel convenes industry leaders to share practical approaches to maintaining our business through disruption from geopolitical instability and supply chain constraints to operational crises. Speakers will discuss lessons learned, proven frameworks, and forward-looking strategies to reinforce resilience, protect people and assets, and sustain safe and dependable performance amid uncertainty.

11:40 Exhibitor Showcase – Exhibitors will present their products/services in a 60-second presentation

12:00 Luncheon & Open Exhibition

13:30 Energy Expansion
Session chairs: Daniel Semerjian, Director of Sales – Eastern Hemisphere, NOV & Wayne Bauer, Vice President QHSE & Sustainability, Vantage Drilling

Driving Step Change Drilling Efficiency in Unconventional Resources via Drilling Contractors- OFS Collaboration and Integrations: Imran Shakoor, Senior Engineer – Integrated Drilling Services, ADNOC Drilling

A Step-Change in Horizontal Well Drilling Performance: Delivering the Longest, Deepest, and Fastest Horizontal Gas Wells While Boosting Delivery by 25%, Doubling Production, and Strengthening Field Lifecycle Value: Khalfan Alhashemi, Deep Gas Operation Well Engineer, Mohammed Mamari, PDO
A step-change improvement in horizontal drilling performance is presented, achieved through integrated drilling optimization and advanced technologies. The campaign delivered some of the longest and fastest horizontal wells in the operating area, increasing lateral reach by over 60% and reducing well delivery time by more than 25%. The methodology provides a scalable framework for improving horizontal drilling efficiency in tight gas reservoirs.

14.10 Well Control
Session chairs: Imran Shakoor, Senior Engineer – Integrated Drilling Services, ADNOC Drilling & Natã Franco, Senior Well Engineer, SLB

Advanced Well Control Training at Operational Speed: Forensic Integration of High-Potential Incidents into Simulator-Based Competency: Haytham Elkamash, Drilling Engineer, Badr Al-Harbi, Mohammed Abelgawad, Aramco
Saudi Aramco’s D&WO Training Division launched an innovative well control initiative, transforming field incidents into actionable competency within four-weeks. By leveraging forensic data, the program reconstructs events into immersive DS-5000 cyberSIM scenarios. With over 40% dedicated to high-fidelity simulations, including unconventional well control techniques like volumetric WC and stripping operations, this approach dramatically accelerates traditional training timelines. It significantly enhances technical expertise, critical thinking, and decision-making, ensuring immediate, impactful learning from every field incident for safer and more efficient operations.

Enhancing Well Integrity with Competent High-SVF Lead Slurry: A Field Case of Overcoming Casing Accessory Failure and Securing Zonal Isolation: Ahmed Hamed Al Hadidi, Cementing Technical Engineer, Mohammed Bazuhair, Abraj Energy Services, Dr. Yasser Fakhreldin, Asma AL Zaabi, PDO
An unexpected casing accessory failure led to cement fallback during a primary cementing job. By implementing a competent high-SVF lead slurry, well integrity and zonal isolation were preserved, confirmed by pressure testing and CBL/VDL. This approach avoided costly remedial work, safeguarded well life, and provided a valuable learning for future operations — highlighting the role of slurry design innovation in managing high-risk scenarios.

14:50 IADC Regional Chapters Update

15:10 Poster Presentations (a 5-minute presentation per poster)
Session chair: Andrew Stratton, Chief Operating Officer, IRE

Onshore Rig Electrification as a Practical Strategy for Emissions and Cost Reduction in Drilling Operations: Saad Waseim Beder Ibrahim, Student, Suez University

Drilling Efficiency Improvement Through the Use of a Continuous Circulation System: Piervittorio Salicante, Global Product Champion, Halliburton

PDO-GPT (ADAM): Sajad Lawati, Wells Digital Transformation Lead, PDO

Digitizing Legacy Surface BOP Systems for Real-Time Monitoring and Diagnostics: Amine Meziou, Senior Technical Manager, Aquila Engineering

15:30 Networking Break & Open Exhibition– Sponsored by H&P

16:00 Panel: Supporting Mental Health in Remote and High-Risk Locations: The SAPC Charter in Practice
Moderators: Ashley Anderson, Senior Manager, OLYMPUS Marine Services & Mario Leopizzi, HR Director, Shelf Drilling
The IADC SAPC has recently launched a Mental Health and Wellbeing Charter, adapted from the North Sea and thoughtfully shaped for the realities of the SAPC (UAE, Qatar and Oman) region. The charter offers organisations a clear and practical framework to better support their people. To help companies implement each element, the Mental Health Workgroup will host a series of awareness sessions.
During this panel session, we will introduce the charter and outline its purpose. This will be followed by a panel discussion exploring how the charter can support organisations in strengthening their mental health approach. We will hear lessons learned so far, as well as a clinical perspective on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

• Cally Hinchey, Talent Acquisitions Manager­, Borr Drilling
• Anna White, Senior Occupational Therapist, The Lighthouse Arabia

17:00-18.00 Welcoming Reception & Open Exhibition

07:30 Conference Registration, Coffee Service, Open Exhibition & Poster Session

08:30 Welcome, Introduction & Safety Briefing Hisham Zebian, Vice President Eastern Hemisphere, IADC

08:40 Opening Presentation: tbn

09:00 Keynote Presentation: tbn

09.30 Featured Presentation: Next Generation of Deepwater Drilling: Smart Rigs, Automation & Technology: Josselin Cassanet, Head of Business Development, Seadrill
Over the past decade, the drilling landscape has evolved significantly: energy transition, emphasis on ESG, limited capital expenditure, shrinking profit margins, consolidation in the market, and instability in oil prices. How can a deepwater drilling contractor plan a long-term strategy amid uncertainties? What is the investment approach? How can technology help with the transition and ensure the industry has future-ready assets?

09.50 Poster Presentations (a 5-minute presentation per poster)
Session chair: Andrew Stratton, Chief Operating Officer, IRE

The Aging Rig Dilemma in the Middle East: Balancing Life Extension with Decarbonization: Ahmed Mostafa, Student, Suez University

Enhancing Blowout Preventer Reliability Through Optimized Maintenance and Failure Prevention Strategies: Khalil Ashoor, Operation Leader, HMH Hydril Arabia

Case study of AI-Powered Rigs: Yuanlin Jiang, Chief Executive Officer, Beijing JJC Technology Co., Ltd.

CSRD compliance in Offshore Drilling: Swapnil Awasthi, Senior Sustainability Manager, Shelf Drilling

10:10 Networking Break & Open Exhibition – Sponsored by Derrick Solutions International

10:40 Panel: AI as a Strategic Asset and the Next Productivity Leap
Moderators: Coy Wilcox, Head of Training, SANAD & Noor Alenezi, Ahmedi Technology Center Director, Baker Hughes
Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving from a technical enabler into a core strategic asset for drilling contractors and operators. This panel explores how AI is driving the next wave of productivity by transforming decision‑making, optimizing drilling performance, improving asset reliability, and enhancing safety across the full drilling lifecycle. Rather than isolated pilots, the discussion will focus on how organizations can scale AI to deliver measurable business value.

• Dr. Wael Alzyadat, Vice President, Corva.ai
• Neil Orvay, Managing Director, Evolution U Consulting FZE
• Mohd Arriffuddin Bin Allauddin, Manager Well Construction, Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), PETRONAS
• Nicolas Le Gouhinec, Director – Quality, Health, Safety & Environment, ARO

11:40 Featured Presentation: Managing the Narrow Margin: Anchor-Point Selection and Barrier Integrity in Near-Balanced MPD During Unplanned Pump Shut-Downs: Mohammed Abdelgawad, Drilling Engineering Specialist, Badr K. Harbi, Haytham M. Elkamash, Aramco
Drawing on field data from a near-balanced MPD operation, this forensic study examines barrier integrity during unplanned pump shutdowns. It demonstrates how shallow anchor-point selection can mask critical Annular Friction Pressure losses — producing underbalance at the bit and triggering an influx despite stable surface readings. The session quantifies the primary-barrier performance gap, identifies the response-time implications, and offers actionable changes to MPD control logic and contingency procedures, prioritizing bit-depth Equivalent Mud Weight over upper-wellbore anchor stability in narrow-margin operations.

12:00 Luncheon, Open Exhibition & Poster Session

13.30 Featured Presentation: Unlocking Value in Mature Assets Through Integrated Drilling Services: A Holistic Execution and Performance Framework: Saad Imtiaz, Engineering Advisor,  Mahmoud Algaiar, Azzeddine Seghiri, Baker Hughes
This presentation focuses on the strategic deployment of Integrated Services Drilling Contracts (ISDCs) as a comprehensive framework to revitalize mature field operations. The scope encompasses technical, organizational, commercial, and digital dimensions that can drive sustained performance improvement in aging assets facing production decline, reservoir complexity, and economic constraints. The objective is to demonstrate how ISDCs can enable systematic optimization through coordinated multi-disciplinary execution. This holistic approach is evaluated against conventional fragmented service delivery models.

13.50 Panel: Bridging Technology, Human Performance & Execution in QHSE
Moderators: Amira Maza, Marketing Contracts Manager, Noble Corporation & Chris French, Business Development Executive, The REACH Group

• Devendra Rajcoomar, Vice President Operations, The Callen Group
• Fernando Sousa, Corporate HSE Advisor, Shelf Drilling
• Mena Salama, Manager HSE, ADNOC Drilling
• Alex Munro, Global HSEQ Director, ModuSpec

14.50 Adjournment

Poster Session & Unassigned Papers of Note

The following paper proposals are presented as posters and will be included in the conference if a scheduled paper becomes unavailable. In addition, these presentations will be made available in the IADC conference proceedings, should the author so desire.

Onshore Rig Electrification as a Practical Strategy for Emissions and Cost Reduction in Drilling Operations: Saad Waseim Beder Ibrahim, Student, Suez University
This presentation highlights a field case study on onshore rig electrification as a sustainable alternative to conventional diesel-powered drilling operations. The study evaluates technical performance, environmental impact, and economic benefits, using data from rig power meters, fuel consumption, and daily drilling reports. The rig, powered primarily by centralized gas turbines and supported by a bi-energy configuration, maintained operational reliability through spinning reserves, load-shedding strategies, and coordinated team management. Results demonstrate a reduction of 0.67 tons CO₂ per MWh and total emissions savings exceeding 1,500 tons, alongside significant cost reductions and rapid return on investment during the drilling campaign.

Drilling Efficiency Improvement through the use of a Continuous Circulation System: Piervittorio Salicante, Global Product Champion, Halliburton
Presentation will guide the audience through the story, from identifying the technology to overcome the specific drilling challenges, through the engineering process used to design and select the required service to perform the operations, till the end results. Analyzing the objective data that brought to a significant 58% reduction in total connection time together with increased ROP, avoided well influx, no pipe stuck events and improved drilling efficiency

PDO-GPT (ADAM): , Wells Digital Transformation Lead, PDO
ADAM is PDO’s secure, in-house AI copilot designed to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and decision-making across technical and administrative workflows. Operating exclusively within PDO’s ecosystem, it delivers context-aware, policy-aligned support using uploaded documents and workspaces — never guessing or assuming. ADAM empowers employees with real-time, actionable insights while strictly safeguarding confidentiality. It supports coding, reporting, and workflow optimization, always labeling general knowledge to avoid misinterpretation. Built for Oman’s energy landscape, ADAM amplifies human expertise — reducing cognitive load, accelerating tasks, and driving consistency — as a cornerstone of PDO’s intelligent, secure digital transformation.

Digitizing Legacy Surface BOP Systems for Real-Time Monitoring and Diagnostics: Amine Meziou, Sr. Technical Manager, Aquila Engineering
This presentation describes a practical approach for digitizing legacy surface BOP systems to enable real-time monitoring and improved diagnostics. Many land rigs and offshore jackups continue to operate with conventional hydraulic control systems that were not designed for digital visibility. The methodology uses a modular plug-and-play monitoring kit that captures key hydraulic and pressure parameters without modifying the existing control system. Field deployment case studies will illustrate how continuous monitoring of parameters such as pressure response, accumulator behavior, and function timing enabled earlier detection of anomalies, improved troubleshooting, and provided clearer insight into BOP performance between formal tests.

The Aging Rig Dilemma in the Middle East: Balancing Life Extension with Decarbonization: Ahmed Mostafa, Student, Suez University
The Middle East drilling fleet is aging, yet decarbonization pressure intensifies. How can the industry balance extending asset life with reducing emissions? This session provides strategic analysis of technical, economic, and contractual challenges—and offers a practical framework for making informed decisions about rig upgrades, life extension, and new-build economics in today’s complex operating environment.

Enhancing Blowout Preventer Reliability Through Optimized Maintenance and Failure Prevention Strategies: Khalil Ashoor, Operation Leader, HMH Hydril Arabia
This paper presents practical strategies to improve Blowout Preventer (BOP) reliability through optimized maintenance and failure prevention techniques. By analyzing real field data and maintenance practices, the study demonstrates how improved inspection, planning, and execution can reduce failures and NPT. The approach provides cost-effective solutions to enhance safety and operational performance.

Case study of AI-Powered Rigs: Yuanlin Jiang, Chief Executive Officer, Beijing JJC Technology Co., Ltd.
With significant challenges in offshore and onshore drilling, company is pioneering solutions to enhance safety, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. Leveraging advanced technologies, the company’s approach revolves around automation, safety, and intelligence, all integrated into their Tripro® Auto Drilling systems.

CSRD compliance in Offshore Drilling: Swapnil Awasthi, Senior Sustainability Manager, Shelf Drilling
In 2024, Shelf Drilling became probably the first and the only company based in Middle East to have produced an externally assured sustainability statement in compliance with EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This paper outlines, highlighting the transition to ESRS-aligned disclosures, key challenges in integrating sustainability data across offshore operations, and resulting impacts on governance and HSE performance. The case demonstrates how regulatory compliance enhances transparency, strengthens risk management, and improves competitiveness in ESG-driven markets within the offshore drilling industry.