In the high-stakes world of drilling, where every meter counts and every delay costs, one company is quietly transforming how the industry approaches data. Krux Analytics, founded in 2016 in Calgary, Alberta, is not just a software provider—it’s a catalyst for operational transformation.
With a mission to empower drilling teams through better data, Krux is helping resource owners and service providers unlock performance, reduce costs, and make smarter decisions in real time.
From field frustration to data innovation
Krux was born from a simple but powerful idea: drilling teams deserve better data. Founder and CEO Jody Conrad, a field-data management expert with over two decades of experience in oil and gas operations, saw firsthand how manual data entry and fragmented systems were holding teams back. Her vision was to build a platform that turns raw drilling data into actionable insights.
Starting as a lean startup, Krux worked hand-in-hand with drillers and field teams to develop tools grounded in real-world workflows. Early versions focused on eliminating inefficiencies caused by paper plods and inconsistent spreadsheets. Over time, Krux has evolved into an enterprise solution offering real-time analytics, mobile reporting, and seamless integrations with other drilling industry solutions.
In 2023, Krux entered a strategic partnership with global mining-tech leader IMDEX, which acquired a 40% stake in the company. This move accelerated product development, expanded Krux’s global footprint, and deepened its capabilities in predictive analytics and workflow automation.
Today, Krux operates across six continents and is a trusted partner to many of the world’s largest resource owners and drilling service providers.
Operations and services:
Built for the field, designed for insight
At its core, Krux is a data platform that enables teams to collect, validate, and analyze drilling data in near real-time. The platform provides a single source of truth for operational data—ensuring consistency, transparency, and trust.
‘We’re unapologetically obsessed with data quality,’ says Jody. ‘Because when your data is clean, consistent, and validated, everything else—performance, cost control, decision-making—gets better.’
Key capabilities include:
- Operational cost tracking: analyze costs in real time, compare performance vs. plan, and identify inefficiencies.
- Enhanced drilling performance: monitor and compare drilling programs across sites and rigs.
- Integrated workflows: built-in APIs allow seamless connection to existing systems for payroll, reporting, and analytics.
Krux’s solutions are purpose-built for the future, challenging the status quo with tools that empower mining teams to make smarter, more holistic decisions. The platform is modular, scalable, and user-friendly. It is suitable for both small operations and enterprise-scale deployments.
Products:
Modular, mobile, and made for drillers
Krux’s product suite is designed to optimize drilling workflows from the rig to the boardroom.
Advanced Core Recovery Calculator
KruxLog
A mobile app for entering daily shift reports (DSRs), timesheets, and operating data. It eliminates manual paper logs and spreadsheets, ensuring consistent data capture at the source.
KruxMetrix
A web-based platform for performance tracking, cost analysis, and KPI monitoring. It features customizable dashboards, drill plan imports, and data exports that give teams the insights they need to optimize their drill programs, fast.
The platform is built on a robust technical architecture that supports real-time data flow, secure cloud storage, and seamless integration with third-party systems. Krux’s APIs allow clients to plug drilling data directly into their existing workflows—whether for payroll, reporting, or advanced analytics.
Unlike legacy systems, Krux offers a unified, validated, and transparent data environment. This not only improves operational efficiency but also enables strategic decision-making based on accurate and timely insights.
The people behind the platform
Krux’s global team includes geoscientists, drillers, data scientists, and software engineers—many of whom have firsthand experience in the field. The team understands the challenges faced by those in the field and those back in the office. That’s why they are focused on building solutions that work in both worlds. With around 50 employees worldwide, the company maintains a startup spirit while delivering enterprise-grade solutions.
The culture at Krux is built on collaboration, innovation, and impact. Employees are empowered to challenge assumptions, contribute with ideas, and shape the future of drilling optimization. Flexible work arrangements, as well as inclusive leadership, are central to the company’s ethos.
Case studies: Real-world impact
Krux’s technology has helped clients across the globe achieve measurable improvements in drilling performance.
Barrick Gold Corporation
Barrick faced significant challenges at a remote site in Argentina. Data was inconsistent and hard to manage, with gaps in drill density affecting orebody confidence. Over 25 rigs operated by multiple drilling companies were reporting inconsistently, and harsh weather conditions caused logistical delays.
By implementing Krux across all contractors, Barrick digitized and standardized drilling activity logs, tied contractor payments to drilling metrics, and analyzed standby time, downtime, and rig productivity.
The results:
- Standby reduced from 66% to 46%;
- Downtime dropped from 9.5% to 6.1%;
- More meters drilled—without adding rigs.
‘It’s results like those seen by Barrick that show just how important good drilling data is,’ says Jody. ‘Imagine what a difference we could see across the industry if everyone prioritized their data.’
Capital Drilling
Capital Drilling faced inconsistent reporting and delayed data across their operations. Manual data-entry processes led to billing inaccuracies, operational inefficiencies, and a lack of real-time visibility.
By implementing Krux’s intuitive platform, Capital standardized reporting across contractors and projects, enabling faster, more accurate decision-making. Field teams focused on drilling while office teams accessed validated data instantly—eliminating end-of-month surprises and accelerating payment cycles.
The result: improved transparency, reduced costs, and a competitive edge.
‘Moving from our old system to Krux has seen a far more streamlined approach. The data is cleaner, it’s approved, the client signs it off, and you can move on to the next day,’ says William Ward, Operations Manager – East Africa at Capital Drilling.
These examples highlight Krux’s ability to deliver not just software, but operational transformation.
Industry leadership and collaboration
Krux is more than a technology provider; it’s a trusted industry partner. The company actively collaborates with clients, contractors, and industry bodies to drive innovation and set new standards for drilling data management.
Jody Conrad and her team strongly believe in the power of the collective industry. That’s why Krux works closely with customers and partners to drive the drilling industry forward. No one company can do it alone, but true drilling optimization can be achieved together.
Krux’s product roadmap is shaped by customer feedback and evolving industry needs. Whether it’s integrating with new systems or developing features for emerging markets, Krux always builds with the future in mind.
The future:
Data-driven, AI-enhanced, fully integrated
Looking ahead, Krux is focused on continuous improvement, guided by customer feedback and industry trends.
‘We see tremendous opportunity to create a more interactive experience between drillers and their data,’ says Jody. ‘Machine-generated data can automatically populate up to 80% of the Daily Shift Report, enabling drillers to validate and complete the rest. This drives standardization and efficiency right at the source, making data cleaner and processes faster.’
But the real power lies in using that data to actively guide the drilling process itself. Krux wants to help drillers answer key operational questions in real time: Has the rock hardness changed? Have I already drilled through the target zone? Do I have enough weight on the bit? Krux’s goal is to deliver real-time feedback and insight that improves decisions at the rig, not just in the office.
Krux believes the future of mining lies in the optimization of its biggest asset—data. With Krux, innovation isn’t an add-on. It is the foundation.
For more information: Visit kruxanalytics.com
