IADC World Drilling 2026 Conference & Exhibition

IADC World Drilling 2026, the leadership event for wells professionals, will explore our industry’s challenges and opportunities from a strategic, leadership perspective. The event, which convenes in Estoril, on 16-17 June, will focus on six major Topical Areas.  IADC invites submission of visionary abstracts for cutting-edge solutions in each area. Presentations that pose provocative questions, which showcase good examples of cross-industry collaboration and judged likely to prompt discussion are especially welcome. Case histories highlighting detailed content are also of great interest. Prospective presenters may be asked to participate in panels, rather than make a conventional presentation.

• ENERGY TRANSITION: WHAT ARE WE DOING TODAY, AND WHAT PLANS DO WE HAVE FOR TOMORROW?
  Involvement in drilling of geothermal and CC(U)S wells comes to mind when thinking of our contribution to Energy Transition (ET). But what else are we doing, and where? What technologies have been implemented and what plans do your company have for future technology implementation in the ET space? IADC World Drilling is seeking presentations regarding today’s experience and involvement in Geothermal, CCS and Hydrogen projects, low carbon drilling practices and operator-driven decarbonization, as well as examples or case studies regarding existing and/or future technology adoption in the Energy Transition space. 
• WORKFORCE ATTRACTION, DEVELOPMENT, WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY
  Recruiting young talent and attracting women to the drilling industry continue to be challenging due to several factors, which include the sector being perceived as being outdated and environmentally harmful combined with the rise of renewable energy and tech industries which offer attractive alternatives that are perceived as more innovative and sustainable. Further, there is an increasing shortage of candidates with the necessary technical skills, as fewer students are enrolling in relevant engineering and geoscience programs. To address these challenges, companies are focusing on improving their employee value propositions, including career development opportunities, and a positive work environment. IADC World Drilling is seeking presentations that elucidate the issue at hand and address attracting the next-generation workforce. What are your experiences on the theme “Women in the industry?”  What are the perspectives of the young generation entering, or having just entered, the energy sector; and what are the skills that will be needed to run tomorrow’s workforce?
• RIG MARKETS & OUTLOOK
  Companies keep a close eye on the market outlook and are continuously assessing the economics behind those forecasts. To do so, we must not only look at prevailing economic factors and historical performance but also at the possible changes in demand brought about by the green transition. IADC World Drilling is seeking presentations addressing the global industry outlook, offshore and onshore rig markets and financial/investor perspectives.
• TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS CHANGING THE FACE AND VOLATILITY OF OUR MARKET
  The drilling industry is seeing an increasing number of technological advancements, which change the face of our market, and which develop so fast that the volatility of the market also changes. Our clients develop impressive technological advancements which influence our part of the industry. These include exploration and production innovations as well as improved extraction techniques. In the drilling industry itself, data analytics and automation, new safety technologies, new well control technologies as well as robotics are advancements that we can be proud of. Furthermore, the energy transition has an impact on the market by setting new demands for carbon footprint reduction and fuel consumption on rigs and by having an increasing focus on activities relating to low-carbon technologies, such as CCUS, energy storage and geothermal energy. IADC World Drilling is seeking presentations which address how specific technological advancements improve drilling performance, well control, management of red zones and enabling the drilling of complex wells.
• GENERATIVE AI, DIGITALIZATION, AND AI FOR OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY
  Digital transformation is accelerating across the drilling industry, unlocking new levels of operational efficiency through generative AI, automation, and intelligent data integration. This session explores how AI-driven tools optimize rig performance, enhancing predictive maintenance, and streamlining subsurface analysis. But with increased connectivity comes heightened risk—cybersecurity is now mission-critical. IADC World Drilling is seeking presentations from Industry experts sharing strategies for securing digital infrastructure, managing data integrity, and deploying resilient AI systems that deliver value without compromising safety. Join us to discover how innovation and protection go hand in hand in the future of drilling. 
• NEW APPROACHES TO CONTRACTING MODELS
  As drilling operations grow more complex and capital-intensive, traditional contracting approaches are being reimagined. This session explores emerging and proven models that emphasize collaboration and shared value among oil and gas operators, drilling contractors, and service and supply companies. From performance-based incentives to integrated project delivery frameworks, these new models aim to align commercial interests, reduce inefficiencies, and drive innovation across the well lifecycle. IADC World Drilling is seeking presentations from industry specialists who have tried such alternative contracting models themselves, to provide attendees with insights into how transparent partnerships and risk-sharing mechanisms can unlock operational excellence, improve safety outcomes, and enhance project economics in today’s volatile energy landscape.

TIPS FOR A GOOD ABSTRACT AND PRESENTATION: Communicate the strategic value of your proposal. Use Case Studies to the greatest extent possible. Conclude the presentation by summarizing the Big Idea encapsulated in your talk and its ultimate impact. Further, IADC World Drilling prizes diversity in ethnicity and gender.

Authors of selected presentations may be asked to participate in panel discussions. Authors are invited to submit proposals for presentations at the conference. To be considered, an abstract for each proposed paper must be submitted to IADC no later than 12 JANUARY 2026. Authors of selected papers will receive confirmation letters and guidelines by mid-February 2026. Please note that formal papers will be accepted but are NOT required for this conference.

We look forward to your participation and hope to see you at this important event!