IDT, Dehradun, stands at the forefront of drilling research and development in India, recognized as an in-house R&D unit of ONGC. With ISO certifications and global accreditations, IDT sets benchmarks in innovation, safety, and excellence for the upstream oil and gas sector.
Vision
To become a leading global institute in E&P-related drilling activities.
Mission
To provide environmentally harmonious services through continuous knowledge assimilation, technology upgradation, and development, supporting the energy security of India and the world.
Capabilities
APPLIED R&D AND CONSULTANCY
IDT’s R&D focus delivers advanced solutions for the petroleum sector:
- Custom drilling fluid, completion fluid, cement slurry, and spacer designs
- Investigative R&D on critical cementing problems: HPHT, EOR, CBM, low BHCT scenarios
- Multidisciplinary approach integrating field experiences with scientific research
- Identification and application of suitable technologies across Drilling domain of ONGC
Research & Development : Pioneering Oilfield Solutions through
- Drilling Fluid Technology: Innovative research and development to optimise drilling efficiency.
Testing, formulation, and optimization
- Cementing Technology: Development of slurries & cementing practices for robust and reliable well integrityTailored cement slurries, additives, and zonal isolation studies
- Completion Fluid Technology: Advanced formulations for well completion and stimulation.
High-performance brine & displacement fluids
OPERATIONS MONITORING AND BENCHMARKING
ONGC’s Real Time Drilling Operation Center (RTDOC) is a state-of-the-art integrated command and control facility designed to monitor and provide technical support for all drilling wells across ONGC. The RTDOC leverages advanced digital technologies and robust data infrastructure to ensure seamless, real-time oversight and support of drilling activities nationwide.
Key Features
24/7 Real-Time Monitoring: Continuously tracks drilling parameters, safety, and well integrity using live rig data.
Integrated Command & Control: Centralizes information for swift decision-making and response.
Domain Experts Onsite: Specialists from Directional Drilling, Fishing, mud engineering, Cementing and well control provide immediate support.
Technical Support: Analyses data, detects issues, and recommends corrective actions to optimize operations.
Collaboration & Connectivity: Facilitates seamless communication between field and office teams.
Cutting-Edge Technology: Utilizes digital dashboards, predictive analytics, and simulators to enhance safety and efficiency.
TRAINING
- Premier training hub for drilling professionals
- Over 2,300 participants trained in FY 2024-25 (1,462 ONGC, 484 from non-ONGC, 376 students)
- 125 specialized programs, ranging from basic to advanced drilling, mud engineering, fishing technology, and stuck pipe prevention
- Modern lecture halls & digital teaching aids
- Advanced Drilling simulators for scenario-based practical learning
- Blended e-classroom modules for remote participation
- Globally accredited courses: IWCF (Scotland), IADC (Houston)
- From basic to advance level Rotary Drilling Well Control (IWCF/IADC), Well Intervention Pressure Control, Well Servicing
- Faculty with real-field onshore/offshore experience of more than 10 years.
- Courses: Introductory, Driller, Supervisor, Workover/Intervention (Levels 2–4)
- Simulator-based practical exam & international certification
WELL ENGINEERING
Comprehensive support for the upstream sector:
- Well planning, design, and construction
- Integrated consultancy for challenging wells: high-tech, sub-hydrostatic, HPHT, CBM, low BHCT scenarios
- Troubleshooting, optimization for drilling fluids and cementing
- Technical documentation and manuals for field operations
IDT operates through several specialized groups, staffed by highly qualified scientists, engineers, and instructors. Each of these groups collaborates closely to advance research, field support, training, and industry standards.
Key Highlights (2020-25)
Historical Milestones & Achievements
- Established in 1978 to tackle the immense challenges in oil & gas drilling operations
- Recognized as in-house R&D unit by DSIR, Govt. of India
- ISO Certified
- Revision and publication of SOPs: Drilling Operation Manual, Cementing Manual, Completion Fluid Operational Handbook
- Introduced indigenous solutions: Substitute for KCl, defoamer for cement slurry
- Over 30,000 drilling professionals trained since 1997
- 11 Patents till date
- Multiple publications in National and International Conferences
- State of the art Integrated command and control centre for Real Time operations monitoring of all drilling wells of ONGC
Addressing Drilling Challenges with Expertise
With experienced professionals and specialized facilities, IDT addresses client-specific drilling challenges—ranging from depleted fields and narrow mud windows to HPHT environments, laterals, and ERD wells.
- Depleted Fields: Advanced drilling and cementing solutions and operational experience
- Advanced Technology Geothermal: Expertise in using the technologies like UBD, MPD etc.
- Stratigraphic Wells: Expertise in planning of Stratigraphic Wells
- Multilateral/ERD Wells: Exposure in planning and drilling of high drift and multilaterals wells
- HP-HT Wells: Well construction include HIGH PRESSURE, HIGH TEMPERATURE (HPHT), ultradeep water wells, and sour gas wells.
- Geothermal: Actively involved in first geothermal well in Ladakh, India
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Simulator:
Key Features of the Drilling Simulator:
- Cyber-chair Controls: The Cyber-chair controls are designed to replicate the rig’s controls like that of ONGC’s DrillMech Rig. The dual cyber chair setup allows for integrated training of both the Driller and Assistant Driller. The simulator also supports a single-chair mode for specialized training.
- HMI System: The driller’s HMI screens emulate OEM-specific interfaces such as NOV Cyberbase and ONGC’s DrillMech Rig.
- 3D Visualization: The Drilling Simulator’s Video wall design is optimised for drilling and pipe-handling operations. Its curved design provides a peripheral view to both Driller and Assistant Driller. The land rig environment is modelled for the DrillMech rig giving the same visualization and functioning.
- Downhole Simulation Capability: The Drilling Simulator is fully integrated with the DrillSiM downhole model, allowing a range of downhole training applications in a customised rig environment like string configurations including jar accelerator, complex 3D well paths, formation editors, cutting models, thermal models, etc.
Well Control School is a globally leading institute for providing IWCF and IADC accredited well control training to ONGC and other oil and gas service companies operating world over.
Well Control School is equipped with state of the art cyber chair simulator Drill Sim 5000 for hands-on training.
Click here for Training calendar
RTDOC:
The Real-Time Drilling Operations Centre (RTDOC) serves as the nerve centre for monitoring and managing ONGC’s drilling operations. It generates key performance indicators (KPIs) such as drilling rate, connection time, tripping time, and Invisible Lost Time (ILTs). These insights enable each Asset to identify improvement opportunities, enhance productive time, and minimize drilling complications—ultimately reducing overall operational costs.
RTDOC empowers ONGC to visualize, monitor, and analyze drilling operations on a 24/7 basis. Its state-of-the-art active LED video wall solution displays real-time drilling data in customizable windows, allowing simultaneous viewing of multiple analytical dashboards. In addition, the system can showcase diverse digital content, including live operational data, customized dashboards, audiovisual content, and video conferencing. This integrated setup enhances intelligent decision-making during both routine operations and emergency situations.
Looking ahead, RTDOC is envisioned to evolve into a cutting-edge Integrated Command and Control Centre, consolidating four critical dimensions of drilling operations—well planning, real-time monitoring, proactive intervention, and course correction. This transformation will position RTDOC as the central hub driving efficiency, safety, and performance across all drilling activities.
- RTDOC is monitoring all Departmental Onshore Rigs & 2 Offshore Rigs
- Complications are analyzed on daily basis.
- Wells which are challenging in nature are reviewed on weekly basis
Well Planning:
IDT houses a state of the art well planning solution
Features of DWP include;
- Faster well planning thus reducing time spent on well planning
- Single Data Entry platform across end to end well planning workflow.
- Automation of repetitive tasks like design loads, design factors, pick and drop options etc.
- Standard and comprehensive Well Program for every well enabling cross-domain collaboration to increase team productivity.
- Validate and perform all engineering calculations during planning just like existing EDT suite.
- Ability to integrate to third party and in-house ONGC solutions like SAP/WIS/EPINET to manage workflows like inventory management, offset well analysis and cost calculations in overall well delivery etc.
- Accessibility from anywhere as the solution runs in public cloud
R&D Labs
IDT also has state-of-the-art R&D labs, which cater to advanced research, testing, and development across drilling fluids, cementing, and completion technologies to enhance operational efficiency and well integrity
Benchmarking
Operation Benchmarking & Auditing Group the drilling performances in ONGC fields and sets up their Benchmark to improve the drilling performance.
Collaborations
Collaborations with Academia
- Collaborative research with IIT Kharagpur in areas of drilling of wells, particularly on frontier areas with a futuristic vision with a view to synergise the capabilities of IDT and IIT Kharagpur to accelerate the developmental efforts towards meeting the emerging requirements of the petroleum industry.
- Collaborative MoU with Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, To identify & pursue research projects of direct interest & relevance to petroleum industry and To develop solutions to drilling, drilling fluid, cementing, completion fluid challenges in oil & gas wells and other mutually agreeable research areas.
Collaborations with Industry
- MoU with ONGC Videsh Limited for providing “Well Designs of Overseas Projects
- MoU with OIL for Collaboration in Well Engineering and Allied Services.
Certifications
1. IDT is one of the In-house R&D unit of ONGC. It is recognised by Department of Scientific and Industrial research (DSIR), which is a unit under Govt of India’s Ministry of Science and Technology.
2. On the QHSE FRONT, IDT confirms the ISO certifications for Quality i.e. ISO 9001, Occupational Health & Safety i.e. ISO 45001 and Environmental Management System i.e. ISO 14001.
3. IDT has :
- Accreditation from International Well control Forum (IWCF), Scotland to run various IWCF well control courses for Driller / Supervisory levels and well servicing personnel.
- Accreditation from International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), USA to run various well control courses for drilling and well servicing personnel. IDT has been representing ONGC as a Member of IADC.
Recognitions
IDT was pronounced winner at the 24th Global Greentech Environment & Sustainability Awards 2025 in the category of Environment Protection.
“Eco innovation Category”
Golden Peacock Eco -innovation award for Thermally resilient, lightweight and flexible innovative cement design for Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) Wells
Cyclic steam stimulation is the most widely used thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method for heavy oil recovery, its popularity derives from low initial investment and quick return. India's growing energy demands and the presence of heavy oil reserves make CSS a valuable technique for the country.
In CSS wells, cementation plays a crucial role in ensuring long term well integrity, where quality cementation prevents steam or fluids from migrating into undesired zones, which could lead to reduced effectiveness of the thermal recovery process and lead to environmental and safety concerns.
This innovation Unique features of CSS cement slurry design to address above challenges:
- Simulation was carried out to ensure that ECD during cementation is below the fracture gradient.
- In laboratory studies, the designed cement underwent thermal cycling for 21 days simulating the actual well conditions.
- After rigorous testing the cement achieved the required mechanical parameters of Young’s Modulus, Poisson’s Ratio, Compressive Strength & Water permeability for long term zonal isolation.
- The cement design had an optimized rheology such that no settling of coarser particles or separation of HGS took place in cement column.
- Parameters like thickening time, fluid loss and free fluid were kept all within the desired limits.
The GEEF Global Environment Award 2025
Institute of Drilling Technology, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. has been selected in Diamond Category for the prestigious “The GEEF Global Environment Award 2025” in Innovation & Sustainable Solutions in the Oil and Gas Industry.
IDT’s recognition at the GEEF Awards is backed by several noteworthy innovations and contributions over the past year:
1. Innovative Cement Slurry Design for CSS Wells
- Successfully implemented 1.44 SG CSS slurry using HGS-4K28 in nine wells at the Mehsana Asset.
- Achieved excellent Cement Bond Log (CBL) and Variable Density Log (VDL) results.
- Generated savings of ₹20 lakhs through in-house cementation jobs.
- Enhanced oil recovery by 85 tonnes per day from seven producing wells.
- Recognized at ADIPEC Conference 2024 in Abu Dhabi, with further implementation planned in four additional wells.
2. Real-Time Drilling Supervision
- The RTDOC issued over 9,400 alerts in the given period upto January 2024, preventing major incidents such as string stuck-ups and equipment failures.
- Resulted in significant rig days saved while improving overall safety and operational efficiency.
3. Digital Transformation Initiatives
- Launched the Digital Well Program (DWP) to enhance digital monitoring of drilling activities.
- These initiatives accelerate ONGC’s digital transformation strategy for smarter, more efficient drilling operations.
4. Environmental Sustainability & Innovation
- Awarded a patent in October 2024 for the innovative use of effluent water in drilling fluid preparation.
- This initiative has saved over 1 lakh m³ of freshwater at ONGC’s Mehsana and Rajahmundry operations, reinforcing ONGC’s commitment to sustainable drilling practices.
IDT has been conferred with the prestigious 23rd Greentech Environment Awards 2023 in the category “ Innovative Technology Adoption ” and Eco-Friendly Products
IDT has been conferred with the prestigious "Platinum Award 2023” in the award category “Grow Care India Occupational Health & Safety Award 2023”
Golden Peacock Awards 2024
Innovative Product/Service
ONGC's Institute of Drilling Technology (IDT) has clinched the prestigious Golden Peacock Innovative Product/Service Award 2024.
The award was presented to IDT for its in house innovation Micro bubble based Drilling Fluid: A Sub-hydrostatic, Cost-effective and Indigenous Innovation
Drilling wells throughout depleted or low pressure reservoirs requires low density Drilling Fluids (DFs), often having density less than water. Methods to reduce the density of DFs have included mixing in Air or Nitrogen. However, problems with these approaches include instability of gas bubbles (bubbles collapse or expand) and increased cost.
Micro bubble Drilling Fluid is a Water based, Sub-hydrostatic DF prepared with Surfactants (Foam Creators), Foam Stabilizers, Viscosifiers, Bridging materials etc. This Micro bubble is different from normal surfactant bubble as it has Tri layer of Surfactant instead of Monolayer found in case of normal surfactant bubble. This Tri layer of surfactant makes the bubble very sturdy as it can sustain the downhole temperature and pressure conditions. These Micro bubbles are generated in situ and atmospheric air is used for generation of bubbles. All the additives used here in preparation of this Drilling Fluid are Indigenous and environment friendly.
The patent for a drilling fluid formulation containing micro bubbles was granted in 2020, recognizing this innovation.
3rd PSU transformation Awards 2024
Green Initiative Technology Adoption
IDT Won 3rd PSU Transformation Awards 2024 Effluent Water based Drilling Fluid: A sustainable & Eco-friendly Innovation : Under the Category - Green Initiative Award
IDT Won 3rd PSU Transformation Awards 2024: Digital Well Planning - Under the Category Technology Adoption Award
Business World Recycling for Greener Tomorrow Awards 2024"
ONGC's Institute of Drilling Technology (IDT) has clinched the prestigious "Business World Recycling for Greener Tomorrow Awards 2024" in the coveted category of Team of the Year. The accolade, presented at the India International Centre, New Delhi on January 30, 2024, was a testament to IDT's outstanding contributions to the Recycling & Waste-Management Domain.
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Contact Information
Institute of Drilling Technology (IDT)
ONGC, IDT, Kaulagarh Road, Dehradun-248 195
Tel.: 0135-279-4105 (Office)
Email: head_idt@ongc.co.in
