ExxonMobil Accelerates Automated Drilling in Permian Basin

ExxonMobil is ramping up its use of automated drilling platforms in the Permian Basin, aiming to accelerate oil production and reduce risks. The company currently operates over 30 drilling platforms in the region, with two already equipped with robotic systems that can perform tasks previously requiring workers on-site.

The goal is to rapidly expand the capacity for automation, with Exxon anticipating that about a quarter of its fleet will be automated next year and reaching 50% by 2028. The use of robotics allows workers to be removed from high-risk areas, increasing efficiency and reducing the risk of injury.

According to Bart Cahir, senior vice president of unconventional operations at ExxonMobil, removing personnel from the platform enables more time for preparation and planning, resulting in greater productivity. An automated platform drilled over 3 kilometers in just six days, making it the third-fastest platform recorded in the company's operations.

Exxon is expanding its presence in the Permian Basin, aiming to increase production by about 40% by 2030 to reach approximately 2.5 million barrels of oil equivalent per day. The company is also working on more than 40 technologies to improve oil recovery rates, which currently stand at around 10% due to low rock permeability.