Pilot hole before UDW spud?

A long time ago at a small operators first frontier deepwater, planning the well meeting. I challenged the main delivery strategy to copy-cat drilling the pilot hole (to typically determine and evaluate optimal surface casing setting depth) after the conductor and/or surface string was set. (Note: as operators 2,3 and 4 had evidently conducted on their first deepwater wells in this particular region as illustrated below).

Not one of the 30-40 people in attendance except the facilitator responded to my valid challenge, that was as least placed on the parking lot. At the end of the day, the facilitator reverted to the parking lot and I was then permitted to raise the pros and cons of my evident view why a pilot hole in exploration (should hazards and risk essentially drive this requirement) is to be drilled first and foremost (as I had always previously experienced) as a given. The end result was after 5 mins of technical pros and cons discussions, a vote was facilitated with a majority of 7 to 1 to drill the pilot hole first and foremost.

Results of the riserless section delivered after the pilot hole well for operator 5 (note: the only well where the pilot hole was drilled first) We would contend evidently speaks for itself?. And the important learning of 'doing the right things in the right sequence, right first time'. Noted: Should in the future intelligent people drive change versus assuring an evidence based approach.

Pilot holes in future frontier or high risk areas is an option to consider driven by risks and uncertainties. Rest assured as results below and other deepwater evident areas will show. Acquiring relevant and evident shallow subsurface data early, and notably if none is available may drive a pilot-hole, and deliver value, where all has to be weighed up, risked, ranked to assure teams 'do the right things and get things right first time'. Ultimately so 'right data based decisions' evidently address all the unknowns, risk and operational uncertainties at higher valued outcomes and benefits i.e. optimal success at minimal loss.