Case study

This five-well campaign across the Triton, Gannet E, Guillemot, Evelyn, and Belinda fields in the Central Graben Basin redefined the economics of drilling on the UKCS. Completed 27 days ahead of plan, it proved how Stepwise enables operators and contractors to reduce rig time, cut fuel use, and capture measurable savings in real time. The result: stronger, well economics, verified ESG performance, and a new standard for collaboration across assets.

Key figures

Proven performance, measurable savings.

The campaign delivered substantial cost efficiencies, with fuel savings exceeding $1.0 million, equal to 8.7% of total fuel spend and a 30% improvement in operational efficiency. Completed 27 days ahead of plan, the reduction in rig time alone delivered a clear uplift in well economics and a proven return on investment. At the same time, the campaign achieved a 32.4% reduction in CO2 intensity (from 3.4 to 2.3 Te/m) and 4,560 CO2 te avoided, confirming that cost and carbon performance advance together through focused operational efficiency.

Fuel saved

$1.0M

CO2 avoided

~30%

Operational efficiency improvements

~4 560 Te

Rig days avoided

27 days

Planned vs actual days

443 vs 416

CO2 intensity reduced

3.4→2.3 CO2 te

CO2 tax avoided *

$0.5M

Fuel spend reduction

8.7%

Total potential savings **

$1.8M

* The operators were not exposed to a CO2 tax, as the campaign was conducted on the UK Continental Shelf under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS). A $100 per CO2 te benchmark is applied for reference, reflecting typical market values in major trading systems. The indicative $0.5M in avoided CO2 tax exposure is shown for context and is not included in the total cost savings for this campaign. Only assets with continuous combustion, such as production platforms and FPSOs, currently fall under UK ETS carbon allowance obligations.

** Based on combined implemented and recommended ERIs.

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Total rig fuel cost per wellbore in USD (Planned vs Actual)

Across the five-well campaign, total planned fuel costs were $11.2 million compared to an actual spend of $10.19 million, a saving of approximately $1 million, representing a 9% improvement in overall fuel efficiency and a clear demonstration of measurable well economics in action. Where overrun occured, significant WOW was accountable.

How savings were made

Turning data into action.

Stepwise enabled the team to complete the five-well programme through structured collaboration and live, data-led decision-making, reducing rig days from 443 to 416. Fuel costs fell from $11.2 million to $10.2 million, realising $1.0 million in savings. In total, 4,560 CO2 te were avoided across the campaign, demonstrating that targeted efficiency measures deliver both economic and environmental benefit. Beyond these achieved results, Stepwise identified a further $0.8 million in potential fuel savings through recommended ERIs. Capturing these opportunities in future campaigns could lift total savings to ~$1.8 million, strengthening efficiency gains and lowering emissions further. Together, these outcomes demonstrate that structured, data-led operations generate tangible economic and environmental value — performance, proven.

Savings composition for implemented ERIs.

Total implemented savings: $1.0M

Implemented and recommended ERIs based on assumptions. ***

Total savings potential: $1.8M

Learnings and transferable insights for future campaigns.

Establish clear energy management routines from day one to reduce fuel waste and improve control
Streamline rig moves through better planning and coordination to save time and cost
Monitor and optimise power use to stabilise performance and capture efficiency gains
Source essential utilities from shore when possible to cut emissions and fuel consumption
Maintain daily focus on energy awareness to embed consistent operational discipline
Treat support vessels as part of the efficiency system, not a fixed overhead
Set baselines early and track performance daily to spot and correct inefficiencies quickly
Keep data and communication open across all partners to reduce friction and accelerate decisions
Use a single data source to quantify results and prove ROI across teams and assets
Align reporting with recognised standards to stay compliant and audit-ready

*** Assumptions: Campaign rig time: 416.3 days, MGO density: 0.85 t/m³, CO2 factor: 3.17 CO2 te/ t fuel, MGO price: USD 722.5 per m³, rig fuel baseline (actuals): 7,861 m³

The goal

Proving measurable efficiency while meeting regulatory expectations.

For Serica and Dana, success meant more than safe delivery. The campaign had to demonstrate measurable efficiency, transparent emissions performance, and alignment with NSTA stewardship expectations. It was a practical test of how consistent data and structured reporting could turn daily operational activity into verifiable results.
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Stepwise was engaged to bring a unified approach to energy management across rig and vessel operations. By combining live fuel data with clear accountability and shared visibility, the team aimed to show that efficiency, compliance, and decarbonisation can progress together.

COSLInnovator. Image courtesy of COSL

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The approach

The Stepwise method: from insight to action.

Stepwise was embedded across rig and vessel operations to provide real-time visibility of fuel use, emissions, and operational efficiency. Daily reporting, structured cross-company reviews, and well-by-well benchmarking ensured Serica, Dana, Petrofac, and COSL worked from a single, trusted dataset with a "One-Team" mindset. This unified model enabled proactive energy management, identification of high-impact fuel-saving opportunities, and the systematic delivery of verified Emission Reduction Initiatives (ERIs).

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Campaign overview (when video is available)

Hear directly from operators, drilling contractors, and service partners on how live emissions tracking, data transparency, and a One-Team approach helped deliver measurable cost savings and set a new benchmark for offshore efficiency.

Testimonials

Stepwise reduced the fuel consumption of a 5th gen semi to levels comparable with a HE Jack-Up, achieving well-on-well performance improvements.

Derek Harrold

Well Operations Lead – Serica Energy

The team delivered a unified, data-led campaign that improved efficiency, reduced emissions, and strengthened ESG performance though a One-Team approach.

Pål Erik Vang

Chief Engineer – Stepwise

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Thank you!

Collaboration that delivers.

A special thanks to the teams from Serica Energy, Dana Petroleum, COSL, and Petrofac, whose commitment to transparency and shared learning made these results possible. Their collaborative effort not only delivered efficiency and cost savings but also set a model for future campaigns in the UKCS.Thank you to the entire team for a best-in-class collaborative effort, where transparency and a true One-Team approach set a new benchmark for offshore efficiency and emissions performance.

Serica Energy: Alex Pirie (Wells Manager), Derek Harrold (Well Operations Lead) and Johnny Pike (ESG) Dana Petroleum: Charlie Taylor (Well Engineering) COSL: Craig Cameron (Project Management) Alan Gregory (Rig Manager) and Torfinn Kalsto (ICT & OT Manager) Petrofac: Kevin Burr (Well Engineering Project Manager) and Simon Nixon (Well Operations Principal Engineer) Stepwise: Finlay Johnston (Chief Revenue Officer), Pål Erik Vang (Chief Engineer)

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