Non Productive Time (NPT) and Authorization for Expenditure (AFE) Management
Real time drilling cost control for directional drilling across the
Permian, Eagle Ford, and Gulf Coast
ProDirectional delivers NPT and AFE management through our combined products and services, uniting MWD, mud motors, and in house engineering into a single performance control system. Operators gain live visibility into tool health, drilling efficiency, and cost exposure across every phase of the well.
- REAL TIME ANNULAR AND DRILL PIPE PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS
- ACCURATE EQUIVALENT CIRCULATING DENSITY (ECD) INSIGHT
- INTEGRATES SEAMLESSLY WITH SPRINT OR OCTANE MWD SYSTEMS
- SERVICE RATED UP TO 175 °C / 347 °F OPERATING CONDITIONS
- MITIGATE NARROW PRESSURE WINDOWS AND FORMATION LOSSES
- OPTIMIZE HOLE CLEANING AND REDUCE WASHOUT RISK
- DESIGNED FOR CHALLENGING CONDITIONS WHERE MODELS FALL SHORT
- FULL TOOL MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE ENSURE FIELD RELIABILITY
Real time drilling cost control for directional drilling across the Permian, Eagle Ford, and Gulf Coast
ProDirectional delivers NPT and AFE management through our combined products and services, uniting MWD, mud motors, and in house engineering into a single performance control system. Operators gain live visibility into tool health, drilling efficiency, and cost exposure across every phase of the well.
- REAL TIME ANNULAR AND DRILL PIPE PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS
- ACCURATE EQUIVALENT CIRCULATING DENSITY (ECD) INSIGHT
- INTEGRATES SEAMLESSLY WITH SPRINT OR OCTANE MWD SYSTEMS
- SERVICE RATED UP TO 175 °C / 347 °F OPERATING CONDITIONS
- MITIGATE NARROW PRESSURE WINDOWS AND FORMATION LOSSES
- OPTIMIZE HOLE CLEANING AND REDUCE WASHOUT RISK
- DESIGNED FOR CHALLENGING CONDITIONS WHERE MODELS FALL SHORT
- FULL TOOL MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE ENSURE FIELD RELIABILITY
Why NPT Is the Greatest Threat
to Your AFE
In modern unconventional wells, non productive time is the single largest driver of cost overruns. Unplanned trips, tool failures, inefficient sliding, and telemetry loss silently add days to a well and push actual spend beyond the planned AFE.
ProDirectional manages NPT while drilling is happening. By integrating real time downhole data, engineering oversight, and high reliability tools, we help operators reduce days on well and maintain predictable cost per foot.
How ProDirectional Eliminates NPT at the Source
Engineering Driven
Tool Reliability
Unscheduled trips caused by tool failure can cost between fifty thousand and one hundred fifty thousand dollars per day. ProDirectional operates with a zero failure mindset across its MWD and motor fleet.
Our systems are engineered for the shock, vibration, and high load conditions of the Delaware and Midland Basins, with reinforced internal components that prevent sensor drift and premature failures.
Predictive Maintenance and MTBF Control
Every tool is tracked using MTBF performance data. Power sections, electronics, and telemetry systems are fully disassembled, inspected, and recalibrated after every run.
This eliminates hidden wear and reduces the risk of mid well failures.
Redundant Telemetry for Continuous Data Flow
ProDirectional offers unified Pulse and EM MWD configurations. If mud pulse telemetry is compromised by high LCM or high viscosity fluids, EM telemetry maintains data flow without pulling the string.
This prevents lost surveys, delayed decisions, and unnecessary trips.
PROTECTING THE AFE THROUGH DRILLING PERFORMANCE
An AFE is only as strong as the execution of the drilling plan. ProDirectional focuses on invisible lost time and rate of penetration to keep wells on schedule and within budget.
High Torque, Low Speed Mud Motors
Our motors are designed for modern PDC bits and high load horizontal drilling. High torque and stable RPM allow operators to maintain aggressive drilling parameters without stalling, reducing cost per foot and increasing footage per run.
Precision Geosteering and Gamma Control
Real time azimuthal gamma data allows directional drillers to keep the BHA inside the target zone. This prevents costly sidetracks, maximizes reservoir contact, and protects the economic value of the well.
AFE Variance Reduction Through Faster Decisions
Faster survey decoding, automated corrections, and real time data flow reduce connection times and eliminate unnecessary delays. Over long laterals, these efficiencies translate into saved days and measurable AFE protection.
Technical
Performance Benchmarks
To support advanced BHA planning, ProDirectional systems meet or exceed the following operational standards.
| Performance Area | ProDirectional Capability | Operational Impact |
| High-Temperature Motor Platforms | Power sections and elastomer systems designed for sustained operation in high temperature and high load environments | Reduced motor failures and fewer unplanned trips in deep and extended-reach wells |
| High-Torque Power Sections | Motor systems engineered to deliver stable torque under high differential pressure and heavy WOB | Higher ROP, improved footage per run, and lower cost per lateral foot |
| High-Speed MWD Telemetry | Pulse and EM telemetry options to maintain data flow in high LCM, high viscosity, and challenging fluid systems | Reduced invisible lost time and faster decision making |
| Predictive Reliability Programs | MTBF tracking, post-run teardown, and full inspection of motors and MWD tools | Fewer mid-well failures and improved AFE predictability |
| Real-Time Performance Monitoring | Continuous tracking of torque, RPM, differential pressure, vibration, and slide efficiency through GUIDE ROC | Early detection of problems before they create NPT |
Real Time Oversight
Through GUIDE ROC
GUIDE ROC provides continuous remote monitoring of torque, RPM, differential pressure, vibration, and slide efficiency.
ProDirectional engineers use this data to detect tool degradation, prevent failures, and maintain optimal drilling performance across every active well.
Field crews and engineers operate from the same live data stream, enabling fast, coordinated decisions that eliminate NPT before it impacts the AFE.
Regional Support Built for Uninterrupted Operations
NPT does not follow a schedule. ProDirectional maintains service hubs designed to support drilling operations without delay.
Midland and Odessa Permian Basin Support
Local inventory and field teams enable hot shot delivery to the rig site in under three hours, minimizing exposure to downtime.
Houston Engineering and Logistics Hub
Houston supports Eagle Ford, Haynesville, and Gulf Coast operations with engineering, logistics, and equipment readiness.
24 Hour Monitoring and Field Support
Every ProDirectional deployment includes continuous ROC monitoring and access to field technicians to ensure uninterrupted performance.
Who NPT and AFE Management
Is Built For
Drilling engineers
Operations managers
Asset teams
AFE and finance groups
Review our complete power section and MWD specifications to see how
ProDirectional controls NPT and protects AFE performance.
Integrated With ProDirectional Systems
NPT and AFE management is fully integrated with ADAPT MWD, ProDirectional RSS, ProPower mud motors, GUIDE ROC, and in house engineering to create a single drilling performance and cost control platform.
Request an NPT and AFE Review
Get a clear view of where non productive time is being created on your wells and how ProDirectional can reduce cost per foot and protect your AFE in real time.
FAQs
What is NPT in directional drilling
NPT stands for non productive time and refers to any period where drilling efficiency is lost due to tool failures, poor performance, telemetry issues, or operational delays. In horizontal and extended reach wells, most NPT is created by downhole tool and performance issues rather than rig downtime.
What is an AFE and why does it matter
AFE stands for Authorization for Expenditure. It is the financial budget used to plan and control the total cost of a well. When NPT increases, AFE targets are missed, increasing cost per foot and reducing project economics.
How does ProDirectional reduce NPT
ProDirectional reduces NPT by combining real time downhole data, remote operations monitoring, in house engineering, and high reliability MWD and motor systems. This allows issues to be identified and corrected before they lead to failures or unplanned trips.
How does NPT impact drilling cost
GUIDE ROC provides live visibility into torque, RPM, differential pressure, vibration, and slide efficiency. This allows ProDirectional engineers to manage drilling performance in real time and prevent NPT before it impacts the AFE.
Is NPT and AFE management only for large operators
No. NPT and AFE management benefits any operator drilling horizontal or directional wells. Smaller programs often see the largest gains because even one unplanned trip can significantly impact their budget.