02/09/2026 by Joel Thompson
Reuters reports that US-based ExxonMobil has begun operating automated rigs to enhance safety and increase production in the Permian Basin.
The Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico is the largest oilfield in the US. The introduction of hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as “fracking”, has propelled the US to become the world’s biggest producer and exporter of crude oil. Nevertheless, shale wells decline relatively quickly, so operators are continuously developing new technologies to improve recovery rates.
According to Reuters, ExxonMobil, which makes the Mobil DTE hydraulic oil, is already operating two automated rigs. With conventional rigs, workers on the rig floor usually position extremely long pipes as drilling goes deeper. This is where many accidents occur, so removing people from the rig floor improves safety. The senior vice president for unconventionals at ExxonMobil, Bart Cahir, said to Reuters:
“In the history of well drilling activity, about a third of significant injuries that occur happen on the rig floor. By getting people out of that higher risk area, we’re essentially eliminating that risk.”
With robotic arms taking over the pipe positioning, the workers are then able to focus on other aspects of the rig’s operation. This in turn means that greater lengths can be drilled each day.
Exxon is planning to roll out the technology to a quarter of its Permian operations by 2027 and half by 2028. Together with other innovations, this will help the company achieve its target of increasing Permian production by nearly 40% by the end of the decade.
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