Newsletters | Request Trial | Log in | Advertise | Digital Issue   |   Search
  • Upstream
  • Midstream & Downstream
  • Gas & LNG
  • Trading & Markets
  • Corporate & Finance
  • Geopolitics
  • Podcasts
Search
Related Articles
Why major oil and gas projects go wrong
The underlying causes of disruptions and disputes could be moderated by improving contracts, audits and controls
Norway's field of dreams
Equinor has had to dig deep to get Aasta Hansteen underway, in more ways than one
Deepwater struggles to make its case
The oil price recovery has not yet translated into a rush of cash into challenging offshore environments
Deep-water feeding frenzy in South America
Brazil and Guyana lead enthusiasm in continent’s deep waters
India enters new deep-water era
India’s plans for its deep waters could take its energy industry into a new phase
Deep-water hopes still high in northwest Europe
Efficiency savings and the use of existing infrastructure mean deep-water prospects look more promising than they have done in recent years
Transocean deal a sign of rising confidence
Betting on better times ahead, the rig supplier is building a stronger fleet
Mexico sets new deep-water pace
Interest in the North American offshore continues, with Mexican deep-water opportunities expected to star
US still driving oil investment recovery
Executives see plenty of enticing opportunities, but spending will be heavily weighted to the US and they can't commit without signs of a sustained path toward higher-priced oil
Here comes the droids
Automated and autonomous vehicles are coming, but robot roughnecks are further out
Deep water
Jason Schenker
1 February 2018
Follow @PetroleumEcon
Forward article link
Share PDF with colleagues

Here comes the droids

Automated and autonomous vehicles are coming, but robot roughnecks are further out

Beyond expanded adoption of automated-software solutions, several kinds of physical robots will make a more visible appearance in the oil patch in 2018. Although oil and gas is one of the more "traditional" industries of the economy, this makes it a sector ripe for technology disruption. Furthermore, given the relatively dangerous nature of some work in oil and gas—at the wellhead, in maintenance roles and at refineries—robots are likely to replace humans in a number of these more dangerous jobs over time. In general, several robotic and automation developments are likely to accelerate for oil and gas in 2018: industrial drone use will spread; the deployment of automated subsea maintenance v

Also in this section
Iraq’s tangled Ceyhan oil web
25 July 2025
KRG, Iraq’s central government and Turkey are all working to get exports flowing from the key port, but complications remain
Countdown to Mozambique LNG restart
25 July 2025
Mozambique’s insurgency continues, but the security situation near the LNG site has significantly improved, with TotalEnergies aiming to lift its force majeure within months
China creates two-tier oil dynamic
25 July 2025
There is a bifurcation in the global oil market as China’s stockpiling contrasts with reduced inventories elsewhere
Trump’s Russia threat rings hollow
24 July 2025
The reaction to proposed sanctions on Russian oil buyers has been muted, suggesting trader fatigue with Trump’s frequent bold and erratic threats

Share PDF with colleagues

Rich Text Editor, message-text
Editor toolbarsBasic Styles Bold ItalicParagraph Insert/Remove Numbered List Insert/Remove Bulleted List Decrease Indent Increase IndentLinks Link Unlinkabout About CKEditor
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: PDF sharing is permitted internally for Petroleum Economist Gold Members only. Usage of this PDF is restricted by <%= If(IsLoggedIn, User.CompanyName, "")%>’s agreement with Petroleum Economist – exceeding the terms of your licence by forwarding outside of the company or placing on any external network is considered a breach of copyright. Such instances are punishable by fines of up to US$1,500 per infringement
Send

Forward article Link

Rich Text Editor, txt-link-message
Editor toolbarsBasic Styles Bold ItalicParagraph Insert/Remove Numbered List Insert/Remove Bulleted List Decrease Indent Increase IndentLinks Link Unlinkabout About CKEditor
Send
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Project Data
Maps
Podcasts
Social Links
Featured Video
Home
  • About us
  • Subscribe
  • Reaching your audience
  • PE Store
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact us
  • Privacy statement
  • Cookies
  • Sitemap
All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws © 2025 The Petroleum Economist Ltd
Cookie Settings
;

Search

  • Upstream
  • Midstream & Downstream
  • Gas & LNG
  • Trading & Markets
  • Corporate & Finance
  • Geopolitics
  • Podcasts
Search