Digital collaboration has become essential in modern drilling and well operations. What used to require lengthy coordination meetings, version control chaos, and endless email chains can now be handled efficiently through integrated software platforms designed for real-time planning, execution, and data sharing.
Adopting a collaborative digital platform connects people, processes, and data — improving communication across disciplines and companies, reducing miscommunication, and accelerating decisions.
But when choosing an end-to-end software solution for drilling and wells, one critical question remains: Should you buy a commercial product or build your own?
This article explores the pros and cons of both approaches and highlights what to consider when deciding which path best fits your organization’s strategy, resources, and digital ambitions.
In the past, building custom software was often the only option, as commercial tools didn’t meet the complex requirements of oil and gas operations. Companies believed their workflows were too unique for an off-the-shelf solution.
That landscape has changed dramatically. In 2025, a range of domain-specific, end-to-end platforms are available — built by industry experts with deep understanding of drilling, completions, intervention, and P&A workflows. These platforms can now be tailored to individual company needs through configuration rather than custom code.
When deciding between buying and building, it’s critical to evaluate your:
Operational requirements
Integration needs with existing systems
Long-term scalability and maintenance capacity
Let’s explore both routes in detail.
Proven Technology
Commercial solutions are developed by teams with domain experience in drilling and wells. You get access to years of learning, R&D, and real-world use cases across multiple customers.
Shared Cost and Continuous Improvement
The development cost is distributed among all customers. Your subscription funds ongoing updates, improvements, and innovation driven by global feedback, ensuring that the software evolves with industry trends.
Faster Deployment and Lower Risk
SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) models make implementation fast and flexible. Most modern solutions offer trial or pilot programs so you can validate the system before committing.
Scalability and Security
Reputable vendors manage infrastructure, hosting, and cybersecurity compliance, allowing your team to focus on operations rather than IT maintenance.
Drives Organizational Change
Adopting an external product can challenge outdated internal processes, encouraging teams to align with best practices from across the industry.
Limited Customization: Commercial software serves a broad market, so it may not match every internal workflow perfectly.
Vendor Dependency: Updates and feature releases follow the vendor’s roadmap.
Process Adaptation: You may need to adjust existing workflows to fit the system — though this often leads to standardization and efficiency gains in the long term.
Read more: How to Test Digital Solutions for Drilling and Well Operations
Building a custom system can sound appealing — total control, full flexibility, and a solution that fits your exact workflows. However, developing and maintaining software for drilling and wells is complex, expensive, and resource-intensive.
Full Control
You define every feature, workflow, and interface, ensuring that the product matches your internal processes perfectly.
Tailored for Niche Use Cases
For smaller, specialized tools or plug-ins, building your own can be cost-effective and tightly integrated into existing systems.
High Cost of Ownership
Development costs are fully borne by your organization. Beyond the initial build, you’re responsible for ongoing maintenance, upgrades, cybersecurity, and support.
Timeline and Budget Risk
Projects frequently exceed budgets or timelines, especially when working with non-domain developers unfamiliar with drilling and well operations.
Limited Scalability
Internally developed software often struggles to scale across assets or integrate with other systems — limiting its long-term usefulness.
Lack of Continuous Innovation
Vendor-driven solutions evolve through feedback from multiple customers. A custom solution risks becoming outdated unless continuously funded and developed.
Team Dependency
If key developers or users leave the company, product knowledge may be lost — creating operational risk and maintenance challenges.
Read more: What are the Benefits of a Totally Integrated Digital Planning and Execution Package
Choosing whether to buy or build a digital solution comes down to balancing cost, control, and capability.
Here are the main factors to consider:
Speed of deployment:
Buying a commercial solution allows you to get started almost immediately, while developing your own can take 12–24 months before it’s ready for operational use.
Cost model:
Purchased software typically runs on a subscription (OPEX) basis, spreading costs over time. Building a solution requires significant upfront investment (CAPEX) and long-term maintenance funding.
Customization:
A bought solution can often be configured to your workflows, while a custom build offers full control but also greater complexity and responsibility.
Maintenance and support:
When you buy, the vendor manages updates, hosting, and technical support. When you build, your internal team is responsible for all of it — from bug fixes to infrastructure.
Security and compliance:
Commercial vendors typically handle cybersecurity and compliance as part of their service. If you build, these safeguards must be designed and maintained in-house.
Innovation and updates:
SaaS vendors deliver regular improvements driven by feedback from a broad user base. A custom-built system depends entirely on your own internal development resources and priorities.
Scalability:
Cloud-based platforms are built to scale easily across assets and regions. Custom-built systems often struggle to expand beyond their initial scope without costly redevelopment.
Most operators today choose a buy-and-configure approach rather than building from scratch, leveraging proven digital ecosystems while maintaining flexibility through APIs and tailored integrations.
Solutions like Stimline’s IDEX™ demonstrate this balance, offering an end-to-end digital well management platform that can be adapted to each organization’s structure, data flow, and operational needs.
Additional reading: Top Five Methods to Avoid Problems During Well Intervention
Both buying and building have advantages, but in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the buy-and-configure approach delivers the best balance of flexibility, speed, and long-term value.
With robust domain-specific platforms now available, oil and gas companies can digitalize safely and efficiently — accelerating collaboration, cutting costs, and enabling continuous learning across assets.
Digital transformation isn’t about reinventing the wheel; it’s about choosing the right technology partner to help it roll faster.