Directional drilling plays a crucial role in enhancing drilling efficiency, reducing development costs, and minimizing environmental impact in modern energy development. This technology allows for precise control of wellbore trajectories, reaching oil and gas reservoirs that are otherwise hard to access. It significantly improves resource recovery rates, especially in complex geological conditions. Its applications range from land to deep-sea operations and even include contributions to renewable energy fields like geothermal development.
Our company, SMKST, has participated in various projects focused on directional drilling and well cementing, but we primarily serve regions like East Asia and West Africa, including Nigeria. In this industry, many experienced companies have been key to developing technologies like MWD, LWD, and RSS, which improve horizontal and directional drilling.
This article will introduce some of the world’s leading directional drilling companies and our peers. We will cover their backgrounds, core technologies, service regions, and customer support. (If there are any inaccuracies, please let us know in the comments so we can correct them promptly.)
Top 10 Directional Drilling Companies Worldwide (for Oil & Gas Well)
This section provides an in-depth look at ten authoritative companies offering directional drilling services worldwide. These companies are not listed in any particular order. Each has unique technical advantages and service areas, tailored to different project needs.
1. Baker Hughes (USA)
Baker Hughes is a global oilfield services leader based in the United States, established in the early 20th century. With a rich oil and gas industry history, the company offers advanced technologies and services for exploration and development worldwide. Beyond traditional oil and gas, Baker Hughes also contributes significantly to renewable energy sectors like geothermal and carbon capture, actively promoting sustainability.
Baker Hughes offers a comprehensive range of directional drilling solutions, including Rotary Steerable Systems (RSS), Measurement While Drilling (MWD), and Logging While Drilling (LWD) technologies. Their efficient mud motors are designed for extreme environments, such as deep water and high-pressure, high-temperature conditions. This ensures optimal drilling speed and wellbore quality. Their real-time monitoring system optimizes well trajectories, reduces drilling risks, and maximizes hydrocarbon recovery. Baker Hughes also provides advanced directional drilling technology for geothermal and carbon capture and storage (CCUS), supporting global energy transitions.
- Service Areas: Worldwide, including North America, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia-Pacific
- Address: 17021 Aldine Westfield Road, Houston, Texas, USA
- Website: Baker Hughes Directional Drilling
2. Halliburton (USA)
Founded in 1919, Halliburton is one of the world’s largest oilfield service companies, headquartered in Texas, USA. With over a century of experience, Halliburton provides full-spectrum services for the oil and gas industry, from exploration and drilling to completion and production. In recent years, Halliburton has also invested in renewable energy, exploring more environmentally friendly energy development technologies.
Halliburton is known for its advanced directional drilling technology and equipment, including the iCruise® intelligent rotary steerable system. This system enhances wellbore trajectory accuracy and stability through automated operation. Halliburton also offers the NitroForce® high-torque drilling motor and Turbopower™ turbine drilling system, performing excellently in complex formations, especially in high-angle, horizontal, and deepwater wells. Their DrillingXpert® software helps optimize wellbore trajectories and reduce drilling costs.
- Service Areas: Global, particularly in North America, the Middle East, and Latin America
- Address: 3000 N. Sam Houston Parkway E., Houston, Texas, USA
- Website: Halliburton Directional Drilling
3. Schlumberger (USA)
Schlumberger is one of the world’s largest oilfield service companies. Founded in 1926, it has headquarters in France, the USA, and the Netherlands. Operating in over 120 countries, Schlumberger offers comprehensive services for the oil and gas industry, from exploration to production. Known for its technical innovation and global operational capabilities, the company actively participates in the industry’s digital transformation and energy transition.
Schlumberger provides a full range of directional drilling solutions, including RSS, MWD, and real-time data analysis technology to ensure precise wellbore control. Their advanced drilling optimization software and digital tools, like the PowerDrive rotary steerable system, enable real-time monitoring and adjustment of drilling parameters. These are suitable for complex environments like deep water and high-temperature, high-pressure wells. Schlumberger’s autonomous directional drilling technology keeps it at the forefront of the industry.
- Service Areas: Global, with a strong focus on deep-sea drilling and high-temperature, high-pressure wells
- Address: 5599 San Felipe St., Houston, Texas, USA
- Website: Schlumberger Directional Drilling
4. Phoenix Technology Services (PHX Energy Services Corp.)
Phoenix, a subsidiary of PHX Energy Services Corp., was established in 1995 and is based in Calgary, Canada. Phoenix specializes in providing high-performance directional drilling and MWD services, using its advanced technology and extensive experience to serve major oil and gas fields worldwide.
Phoenix offers comprehensive directional drilling services, including well planning, project coordination, and real-time drilling optimization. Through its self-developed MWD technology and Landmark COMPASS™ well planning software, Phoenix provides precise wellbore control under various complex formation conditions. Their in-house service and manufacturing capabilities ensure high equipment reliability, supporting 24/7 planning and revision services to maximize well-site performance.
- Service Areas: North America, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America
- Address: 12329 Cutten Road, Houston, TX 77066, USA
- Website: Phoenix Directional Drilling
5. KLX Energy Services (USA)
KLX Energy Services is an integrated oilfield services company based in Texas, USA, established in 2018. The company focuses on providing comprehensive technical solutions to onshore oil and gas producers, especially in unconventional oil and gas fields across the United States.
KLX offers high-performance directional drilling and MWD services. It uses the K Series mud motor and Landmark Compass wellbore planning software to optimize drilling trajectories. The company’s proprietary high-performance mud motor design ensures stability and efficiency in various geological environments. KLX’s Real-Time Operations Center (RTOC) provides 24/7 support to ensure precise wellbore control.
- Service Areas: Major shale basins in the USA, including the Permian, Eagle Ford, and Rockies
- Address: 3040 Post Oak Blvd, 15th Floor, Houston, TX 77056, USA
- Website: KLX Directional Drilling
6. China Oilfield Services Limited (COSL) – Asia
COSL is a leading oilfield services company in China, established in 2001 and headquartered in Beijing. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China National Offshore Oil Corporation. COSL leads the offshore oilfield market in Asia, providing full-cycle services from exploration to completion, especially dominating in the Chinese offshore and Southeast Asian markets.
COSL provides advanced RSS, electronic measurement systems, and complex wellbore trajectory measurement services. They excel in drilling horizontal wells, cluster wells, and multi-target directional wells. Their self-developed WELLEADER® RSS significantly improves drilling efficiency and reduces costs, offering excellent wellbore trajectory control and drilling services.
- Service Areas: China and Southeast Asia
- Address: 128 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
- Website: COSL Directional Drilling
7. OilSERV (UAE)
OilSERV is an independent oilfield services company established in 2006 and headquartered in Dubai, UAE. It mainly serves the Middle East and North Africa regions. The company is dedicated to providing advanced oilfield technology services, including directional drilling, logging, production enhancement, and drilling engineering.
OilSERV offers advanced directional drilling technology, including “push-the-bit” rotary steerable technology, drilling measurements, and real-time data transmission services. Their managed pressure drilling technology and comprehensive drilling engineering support help clients optimize wellbore trajectories, improve drilling efficiency, and reduce risks.
- Service Areas: Middle East and North Africa
- Address: 15th Floor, One by Omniyat Tower, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE
- Website: OilSERV Directional Drilling
8. Millennium Directional Service Ltd (Canada)
Established in 2005, Millennium Directional Service Ltd is a specialized directional drilling company based in Saskatchewan, Canada. The company focuses on providing high-quality directional drilling services to the oil and gas industry in Western Canada.
Millennium offers comprehensive directional drilling, MWD, and drilling motor services. By optimizing wellbore planning and maintaining equipment rigorously, they provide reliable and cost-effective drilling solutions. Their experienced team is skilled in handling various complex geological conditions.
- Service Areas: Western Canada
- Address: Saskatchewan, Canada
- Website: Millennium Directional Service
9. Hawkeye Directional (USA)
Hawkeye Directional is a directional drilling company based in Oklahoma City, USA, established in 2014. Known for its advanced drilling technology and excellent customer service, the company owns some of the industry’s most advanced tools and equipment.
Hawkeye provides comprehensive directional and horizontal drilling services, including mud motors, MWD, and wellbore planning services. The company maintains its equipment to ensure efficient and safe drilling operations. Their experienced team offers round-the-clock support to ensure precise wellbore control and efficient drilling operations.
- Service Areas: USA, including Oklahoma and Texas
- Address: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
- Website: Hawkeye Directional
10. Patriot Directional Drilling (USA)
Patriot Drilling was founded in 2019 by the experienced team of Crescent Directional. Although the brand is relatively new, it has quickly become a well-known name in directional drilling due to its team’s rich experience and industry resources.
Patriot offers comprehensive directional drilling services, including wellbore planning, power motors, rotary steerable tools, and remote operation support. Their high-speed MWD tools provide real-time data in various drilling environments, improving drilling accuracy. Patriot emphasizes full-process management, from wellbore design to rig release, ensuring smooth project implementation.
- Service Areas: Multiple states in the USA, including Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico
- Address: Houston, Texas, USA
- Website: Patriot Directional Drilling
Conclusion
Compared to vertical drilling, directional drilling requires real-time monitoring and adjustment of drilling parameters, which often makes it slower. Additionally, it involves more equipment and requires professional guidance, leading to higher costs.
Typically, more experienced companies charge higher fees for their services. If you need directional drilling services in East Asia, the Middle East, or Africa, feel free to contact us. Our SMKST directional drilling team has extensive experience in these regions. Equipped with advanced MWD, LWD, and RSS tools and a skilled professional team, we can provide you with more cost-effective services.