AI Grows Up in Oilfield Operations

AI tools are shifting from pilot projects to scaled use in oilfield services, reshaping remote operations while keeping human expertise firmly in control

16 Dec 2025

Artificial intelligence is moving from trial projects to scaled deployment in oilfield services, reshaping how digital workflows are designed and managed across drilling and production operations.

Service companies and operators are increasingly using AI to support remote operations, standardise routine decisions and improve equipment reliability. The focus is less on replacing engineers than on improving uptime, safety and cost control in complex and labour constrained environments.

The shift reflects operational pressure. Drilling and production teams face rising expectations to deliver faster execution with fewer people on site, while maintaining safety and performance. AI enabled systems help by monitoring conditions continuously, flagging early warnings and applying predefined operating rules. Most current deployments are aimed at consistency and speed rather than full autonomy.

Recent agreements suggest the industry is moving from experimentation to operational use. In late 2025, SLB and Shell signed a strategic collaboration to develop digital and AI solutions for upstream operations. The work centres on building an open data and AI foundation using SLB’s Lumi platform, with the goal of advancing agentic AI that supports technical experts across subsurface, well construction and production activities.

Service companies are also applying AI to equipment monitoring as a way to reduce non productive time. Halliburton’s LOGIX unit vitality system, released in late 2025, uses real time data and AI to assess cementing equipment readiness and performance. The aim is to shift maintenance from reactive to predictive, a priority across the sector as operators seek more reliable execution.

Remote operations remain a key part of this transition. Baker Hughes has been expanding drilling automation and remote monitoring models that move elements of decision support away from the wellsite and into remote centres. These hubs allow specialist teams to oversee multiple operations, respond more quickly to anomalies and reduce personnel exposure.

Taken together, the developments point to AI becoming embedded within integrated platforms rather than deployed as stand alone tools. Competitive advantage is increasingly linked to execution, including secure system design, clean and connected data, and governance that allows digital tools to be used repeatedly across assets.

Challenges remain, particularly around cybersecurity and integration with legacy equipment. Even so, AI driven workflows and remote operations are steadily becoming standard features of oilfield services, supporting safer work practices and more predictable performance at scale.