November 2020
Company Spotlight
WellFence
For this Company Spotlight, we interviewed Wayne Prejean, CEO of Drilling Tools International (WellFence’s parent), about how the company is helping its customers better manage who can access their wellsites as well as automate related functions. WellFence provides patented data automation systems and credentialed wellsite access services for drilling, completion, and production locations. For more information on WellFence, please visit www.drillingtools.com or www.wellfence.com.
Background: Founded in 2014, WellFence sought to optimize the access control function of remote locations in the energy industry that largely depended on manual processes. WellFence has since deployed its patented check point towers with 360-degree cameras to hundreds of wellsites to automate the verification of personnel entering and exiting. In 2019, Drilling Tools International acquired WellFence to help scale the innovative technology to its customer base across numerous geographic regions.
Value Proposition: On most wellsites, personnel entering and leaving the location is tracked by pen and paper. This leads to some not signing in or signing out, sign in sheets getting lost or damaged, and “man hours” reporting resorting to educated guesses. WellFence’s offering enables these remote wellsites to operate more safely and transparently due to the following key features:
Precise Control of On-Site Access: Utilizing RFID cards or QR codes generated through WellFence’s platform, customers can not only control who can access the location but it can also immediately verify each person’s certifications and competencies before allowing them on site. Around-the-clock live video access and a personnel roster that updates in real-time enables site managers to always understand who is on location and what they are doing there.
Minimizes Security and Operating Costs: WellFence’s rugged and reliable check point towers replace the need for a gate guard at each wellsite. Further, the company’s customers have been able to avoid being overcharged by service providers that bill based on time, as it has a down-to-the-minute record of how much time each person is on location.
Reporting Automation: As WellFence automatically tracks when each person enters and exits a wellsite, “man hours” reported to OSHA or a similar safety regulatory body are automatically reported. This removes having to guess at the correct number, which is typically underestimated and results in a poorer safety metric. Many customers have been able to achieve reduced insurance premiums, as they are now reporting lower TRIR figures.
Closing Thoughts: As the energy industry continues to look toward technology to not only reduce costs but also increase productivity and ESG factors, we are excited to track how WellFence will continue to address new challenges to managing personnel at remote locations, such as what they have done with their Covid-19 questionnaire and temperature checks during this pandemic.