R&D Technical Section Q&A: Drilling Automation—People, Process, and the Rise of Smart Rigs

_ In this article, Gaurav Agrawal of the SPE Research and Development Technical Section (RDTS) spoke with David Reid of NOV, a global oilfield services provider and technology developer. This series highlights innovative ideas and analysis shaping the future of energy, with a focus on emerging technologies and their roadmaps, potential, and impact. With these conversations, we hope to inspire dialogue and accelerate progress across new energy frontiers. David Reid is the chief technology officer (CTO) and chief marketing officer (CMO) of NOV, where he plays a key role in driving the company’s global innovation and brand strategy. With a career spanning over 3 decades in the energy sector, Reid has been instrumental in advancing NOV’s technology portfolio and positioning the company at the forefront of industry transformation. As a thought leader, he has led numerous initiatives focused on integration, digitalization, automation, and sustainable energy solutions, ensuring NOV remains a pioneer in energy technology. His expertise spans product development, corporate strategy, and storytelling, making complex industrial challenges more accessible to diverse audiences. Beyond his role at NOV, Reid is deeply committed to humanitarian causes. He is actively involved in redM, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating human trafficking by raising awareness and mobilizing action. His leadership in redM reflects his passion for social impact, leveraging technology and storytelling to inspire change. A frequent speaker at global conferences, Reid brings a unique perspective on the intersection of energy, technology, and human empowerment. He continues to drive innovation while advocating for a future that is both technologically advanced and socially responsible. RDTS: You have a unique perspective with over 30 years in the energy industry and have been a witness to various technology roadmaps unfolding while also driving change as a technology agent yourself. How has the automation evolution impacted oil and gas applications? Reid: The evolution of automation in oil and gas—particularly in drilling—has been a long and fascinating journey. It started as far back as 1965, with a visionary SPE paper from Smedvig (now Seadrill) that proposed mechanization to remove people from the rig floor to increase safety and speed. The reality took longer to deliver, but that vision sparked decades of innovation. We went from simple mechanization with BJ Machinery’s Type V racking machines to highly intelligent systems that now outperform manual operations in safety, efficiency, capability, and speed. Today, we’re starting to see industrial robots take over all remaining rig floor tasks and systems that can learn from real-time data that reaches into the well itself. Automation has moved from theory to necessity—especially in harsh, high-cost environments like deepwater or low-cost repetitive shale drilling—changing how we design, operate, and maintain rigs.