A large orange and black drilling tool labeled 'GADRILLING' breaking through rock underground, with debris and dust flying around.A large orange and black drilling tool labeled 'GADRILLING' breaking through rock underground, with debris and dust flying around.
Nextitan

NexTitan vs. Tomax AST

Two different approaches to drilling hard rock. Tomax AST regulates torque through a passive mechanical response. NexTitan generates and controls weight on bit downhole, with a closed loop that responds in under 10 ms.
Key benefits

Boost drilling performance
and reduce risk with NexTitan

Generate, control, and adjust force at the bit
NexTitan generates up to 30,000 lbf per unit, stackable for greater force at the cutting face.
Learn more
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Maintain steady ROP through formation changes
NexTitan generates and holds weight on bit as the formation changes. Passive anti stick-slip tools respond to torque only.
Learn more
Expand your drilling options
NexTitan optimizes drilling operations and costs by enabling coiled tubing across geothermal and oil & gas applications.
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Competitive advantage

NexTitan vs. Tomax AST

Feature
Nextitan
TOMAX AST²
Operating Principle
Generates and applies force at the bit downhole
Active thrust
Contracts along helical splines in response to torque
Passive mechanical response
Force at the bit
Up to 13.6 MT / 30,000 lbf
per unit, stackable¹
adds wob
Does not generate additional WOB
Regulates torque only
Control loop
100 Hz closed-loop,
<10 ms response, downhole¹
Electronic closed loop
Mechanical response to torque changes
No electronic control
Formation gripping
Hydraulically actuated grippers hold 
the tool to the wellbore
Grips AT THE BIT
Relies on weight transferred down the string
No anchoring
Hole size
216 - 241 mm / 8.5" - 9.5"
216–241 mm / 8.5"–9.5"
Tomax range 121–311 mm / 4.75"–12.25")³
Temperature
175°C circulating.¹ Reservoir up to ~300°C with active mud cooling⁴
200°C standard; 220°C in XT configuration³
Length
11.31 m / 37.1 ft
5.44 m / 17.85 ft
Ultimate tensile load
433.4 MT / 955 klbs
522 MT / 1,151 klbs
make up torque
45,159 Nm / 33,300 ft-lbs
65,000 Nm / 48,000 ft-lbs
ROP in hard rock
Maintains WOB through formation changes. Up to 3× ROP achieved in 2026 hard-rock field test¹
Mechanism: adds and holds WOB
Reduces stick-slip; ROP effect depends on stick-slip severity
Mechanism: torque regulation
Market Position
Pre-commercial; field tests 2026
Commercially established

¹ NexTitan force, response-time, temperature and ROP figures are from GA Drilling field tests in Norway, 2026. The 3× ROP figure is the result of a specific test; it is not a guaranteed performance level. Test summary available on request.

² Tomax AST is a product of Tomax AS, Stavanger, Norway. GA Drilling is not affiliated with Tomax AS and has not independently tested Tomax AST.

³ Tomax AST specifications are taken from Tomax AS published product datasheets for the size class shown, retrieved July 2026. Other sizes are available from Tomax AS; figures vary by size.

⁴ Reservoir temperature figure describes a NexTitan operating envelope with active mud cooling, not a datasheet rating, and is not directly comparable with a standard temperature rating.

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Why NexTitan
NexTitan is designed to deliver steadier weight at the bit, reducing vibration and stick-slip. Fewer trips, longer bit life and less non-productive time are the intended results, and the drivers of lower cost per well.

Utilize different electronic modes

Set target rate of penetration (ROP), weight on bit (WOB), constant torque, differential pressure, and more based on the formation you’re drilling in.

Hydraulically powered

Optimize drilling costs and performance

Every time NexTitan goes downhole, its sensors feed data to Advansa AI. The tool learns from each run, so performance repeats across a basin and improves the more you drill.

fine-tune future runs

Drill further in a single run

String friction limits WOB delivery in long deviated sections. NexTitan applies weight at the bit directly, so you can drill longer laterals and access more resources.

Modelled ~70% lateral extension

Avoid getting stuck downhole

NexTitan has two mechanical retraction elements that don't require electronics or surface commands to execute. Depending on the failure mode, you either continue drilling with reduced capacity or execute a controlled trip.

behaves like stabilizer
Contact us

Tell us about your next project

Our team will respond with technical details, deployment options, and NexTitan availability.
Business development director
Miles Walker
miles.walker@gadrilling.com
Head of Product
Matus Gajdos
matus.gajdos@gadrilling.com
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