ExxonMobil and H&P Expanded Robotic Rig Deployment
The companies plan to scale automated drilling systems to increase safety and precision in oilfield operations.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Robotics
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Helmerich & Payne (H&P) and ExxonMobil have expanded the use of FlexRobotics technology to automate repetitive tasks on drilling rigs. The companies currently operate two systems and plan to add seven more over the next year.
Why it matters
This expansion represents a shift toward increased automation in drilling, aimed at reducing human exposure to high-risk environments. The transition seeks to enhance operational efficiency and performance consistency across global drilling sites.
The fleet will grow from two units to a total of nine operating systems. The technology automates repetitive rig-floor tasks to improve precision compared to manual operations.
The players
Helmerich & Payne
An oilfield services company focused on contract drilling services and advanced drilling technology.
ExxonMobil
An international energy and petrochemical corporation focused on upstream oil and gas production.
The details
FlexRobotics automates manual activities on the rig floor, which serves to isolate workers from high-risk zones during drilling. By offloading repetitive physical labor to automated systems, the deployment aims to improve consistency and overall operational efficiency. The mechanism relies on standardized robotic sequences to perform routine rig functions that previously required constant human intervention.
Timeline
Over the next 12 months, seven additional FlexRobotics systems will be deployed.
The Tech Race
This deployment aligns with a wider industry shift toward increasing the automation of hazardous drilling tasks. It follows a pattern of replacing manual floor operations with robotic systems to standardize output and improve safety metrics.
Personnel working on H&P rigs will transition away from repetitive and high-risk floor tasks as these robots are phased into operations. The deployment is expected to be complete within one year, directly affecting the daily workflow of field crews.
The takeaway
The move underscores the growing reliance on automation to optimize drilling performance while minimizing human exposure to site-specific hazards. Watch for the completion of the full nine-system deployment by late 2027 to see if the technology meets projected efficiency benchmarks.
What happens next
The companies have scheduled the deployment of seven additional units over the next 12 months, which will bring the active fleet total to nine systems.
Further reading
For more on the latest advancements in autonomous systems, see our Robotics section.
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