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MODEC ARO DRILLING / SAUDI ARAMCO © Netsai / Adobe Stock ruary 2025 as part of MODEC’s decarbonization initia-

SAIRO Rig Optimization Pilot Targets Safer, tives. After completing Phase 1 activities, the companies

More Efcient Ofshore Drilling have moved into Phase 2, covering the engineering, manu-

ARO Drilling and Saudi Aramco have signed a Trial facturing, installation and offshore pilot testing of a 40- and Evaluation Agreement to pilot the Saudi Aramco In- kW SOFC unit.

telligent Rig Optimizer (SAIRO), a proprietary software

The fuel cell system will be manufactured at Eld En- solution developed by Saudi Aramco to enhance drilling ergy’s facility in Bergen, Norway, with offshore installation performance using data-driven insights.

scheduled for 2026. During the feasibility phase, the com-

SAIRO is designed to process drilling rig sensor data, panies carried out system design and integration studies, calculate performance indicators, and deliver advanced vi- including laboratory testing using simulated produced gas sualizations to support monitoring, optimization and ef- containing heavier hydrocarbons, supporting the decision fciency improvements in drilling operations.

to proceed with an FPSO-based pilot.

Under the agreement, ARO will evaluate the system’s

MODEC said the project represents a step toward dem- functionalities and usability, and assess its operational ben- onstrating solid oxide fuel cells as a lower-emissions alter- efts in real-world offshore drilling environments by inte- native to conventional power generation on FPSOs, while grating it into ARO’s high-specifcation jack-up rigs.

maintaining operational reliability.

The six-month feld trial aims to validate SAIRO’s poten-

The Phase 2 deployment is expected to be the frst re- tial to improve operational performance, safety and cost ef- al-world application of SOFC technology on an FPSO, fciency across drilling activities. Saudi Aramco will provide supporting wider efforts to reduce the environmental foot- technical expertise and support throughout the pilot. If suc- print of offshore oil and gas production.

cessful, the companies may explore a licensing agreement to extend SAIRO’s use across ARO Drilling’s operations.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025 OFFSHORE ENGINEER 43