Will AI Replace Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas?

Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Drive truck-mounted units to well sites.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Interpret instrument readings to ascertain the depth of obstruction.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Thread cables through derrick pulleys, using hand tools.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Select fishing methods or tools for removing obstacles such as liners, broken casing, screens, or drill pipe.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Close and seal wells no longer in use.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Direct drilling crews performing activities such as assembling and connecting pipe, applying weights to drill pipes, or drilling around lodged obstacles.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Apply green technologies or techniques, such as the use of coiled tubing, slim-hole drilling, horizontal drilling, hydraulic fracturing, or gas lift systems.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Operate specialized equipment to remove obstructions by backing off or severing pipes by chemical or explosive action.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Perforate well casings or sidewalls of boreholes with explosive charges.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Examine unserviceable wells to determine actions to be taken to improve well conditions.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Monitor sound wave-generating or detecting mechanisms to determine well fluid levels.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Insert detection instruments into wells with obstructions.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.