SLB and Rockwell Unwind Sensia as Automation Matures

The partners will dissolve Sensia and reclaim assets, signaling a shift toward simpler ownership and faster execution in digital oilfield automation

20 Nov 2025

SLB and Rockwell Automation have agreed to dissolve their Sensia joint venture, unwinding a partnership formed to combine industrial automation and digital oilfield technologies, as customers increasingly favour simpler ownership structures and quicker execution.

The companies said the decision followed a strategic review and would be carried out in an orderly manner. Rockwell Automation will take back full ownership of the process automation business it contributed to Sensia, while SLB will regain full control of the businesses it brought into the venture, including lift control, measurement, digital solutions and edge application capabilities.

Sensia was launched in 2019, bringing together Rockwell’s expertise in process automation and industrial internet of things technology with SLB’s oil and gas instrumentation, measurement and software portfolio. The venture was positioned to serve upstream, midstream and downstream operators seeking more integrated automation and digital solutions.

The dissolution does not signal a retreat from digital oilfield automation. Instead, it reflects a shift in how such capabilities are delivered as they become part of core operating infrastructure rather than optional enhancements. Operators are placing greater emphasis on clear product accountability, predictable development roadmaps and systems that can be deployed and supported quickly across complex, mixed equipment environments.

By bringing the businesses back in house, SLB is aiming to integrate its digital and measurement offerings more tightly within its upstream focused organisation. The move is intended to simplify decision making and accelerate the delivery of software and automation tools alongside its traditional services.

For Rockwell Automation, reassuming full ownership of its process automation business reinforces its focus on industrial automation across sectors, while preserving its ability to serve energy customers directly rather than through a joint structure.

For oil and gas operators, the changes are expected to centre on continuity of products and support. Clearer asset ownership can allow for more direct engagement with suppliers, simpler support arrangements and more straightforward lifecycle management, particularly for assets with long operating lives.

Attention is likely to focus on how customer contracts, personnel and product integration are handled during the transition. More broadly, the move underlines how suppliers are adapting their business models as digital automation becomes a standard requirement rather than a differentiator.