In 2025, many North American unconventional oil and gas companies will face challenges in fully adopting automation and real-time monitoring. While automation systems generate invaluable data, much of it must be utilized more due to poor integration across departments. Field operations, compliance, and management often operate in silos, meaning that critical data isn’t leveraged for decision-making, compliance reporting, or shareholder insights. Additionally, there’s often resistance to automation from field operators who may hesitate to rely on automated systems and real-time monitoring for critical operational tasks.
- Disconnected Systems: Automation and real-time monitoring tools don’t always sync with enterprise platforms, leaving vital data inaccessible to other departments. Cloud systems may not be reliable, or there could be too much latency for real-time decision-making.
- Manual Processes: Even with automation in place, manual data handling persists, Meaning slow decision-making and a higher risk of errors.
The agenda will share best practices on seamlessly integrating critical well-site data into actionable business intelligence systems and dashboards. Critical discussions will center on change management practices,
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Unified Data Platforms: Integrating automation and real-time monitoring systems with platforms like Power BI to ensure that all departments—production, compliance, and finance—have access to the same real-time insights.
Data-Driven Workflows: Adopting a management-by-exception approach, where automation and real-time data allow operators to focus on proactive decision-making.
Building Operator Trust: Change management strategies that help field operators embrace automation and real-time monitoring through intuitive tools and training, showing how these technologies enhance safety and efficiency.
Reliable Communications and Power at Remote Well Sites
Operating well sites in geographically remote areas poses significant challenges in ensuring reliable communication and power supply. Without these, real-time data transmission is delayed, and automation systems fail to perform optimally, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational risks.
We will explore solutions to overcome these challenges by focusing on the deployment of low-power, reliable communications systems that ensure continuous monitoring and automation at remote sites. It will also examine alternative power solutions, such as solar and hybrid systems, which can support the continuous operation of monitoring technologies even in off-grid areas.
Real-Time Emissions Monitoring and Regulatory Compliance
As environmental regulations tighten, oil and gas companies are under pressure to reduce emissions and ensure real-time monitoring for compliance. This is particularly difficult in remote or smaller wellsites, where scalability and cost-effectiveness are critical.
We will delve into scalable emissions monitoring solutions, showcasing how companies of all sizes can automate emissions control to meet stringent methane and CO₂ regulations. Sessions will highlight how to implement real-time monitoring systems that not only ensure regulatory compliance but also optimize operations for cost efficiency.
Data Visualization and Exception Reporting
Collecting and storing wellsite data is only part of the solution. The real challenge lies in making this data actionable through effective visualization and reporting. Many companies struggle to filter and prioritize complex data in real-time, leading to delayed responses to critical issues like emissions or operational failures.
The conference will present best practices for using analytics platforms and customizable dashboards to visualize data for operational monitoring, environmental compliance, and exception reporting. Sessions will cover how to configure these tools to prioritize critical insights and ensure timely responses by field operators and decision-makers.
Integration of Modern Automation Systems with Legacy Technology
Operators often face the challenge of integrating modern automation systems with older technologies that still function but may not support real-time monitoring or automated controls. This limits the overall effectiveness of automation efforts and leads to inefficiencies.
Speakers will provide insights into strategies for balancing high-tech automation solutions with older systems that can still be effective. This will include discussions on how to gradually integrate new technologies without disrupting ongoing operations, ensuring both old and new systems can work in tandem to maximize productivity and cost-efficiency.
Cybersecurity in an Increasingly Automated Environment
As wellsite automation becomes more prevalent, the industry faces growing concerns about cybersecurity. The integration of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC), and other wireless technologies exposes remote wellsites to potential cyber threats, risking both operational integrity and data security.
We address these cybersecurity challenges by examining the latest technologies designed to protect automated wellsites from cyberattacks. This includes safeguarding communications networks and ensuring that data collected from wellheads is securely transmitted to centralized systems without exposing vulnerabilities.
Bigger, Better, Integrated: The Future of Wellsite and Drilling Automation
We're co-locating with the inaugural Drilling Automation & New Technology Conference for a more integrated approach. Some operators are exploring the business case for automating drilling processes. Although technologies overlap, traditional wellsite automation has focused on facilities and production. By combining Drilling New Technology and Automation 2025, we offer a larger, more impactful event for sponsors and exhibitors, enhancing the core Wellsite Automation content on business cases, integration, technology applications, production, lift, and facilities without dilution.
Focused Learning: Strategy, ROI, and Technical Integration at Wellsite Automation
The core Wellsite Automation conference will span twoolid days, allowing attendees to focus on strategy, ROI, financial cases, or technical integration. We're also increasing roundtable discussions, offering a curated setting for valuable, candid conversations. In parallel, the Drilling Techniques, New Technology, and Automation Conference will run on days one and two, with shared networking and exhibition spaces. This setup allows drilling engineers to engage with automation experts and attend relevant sessions.
Real-World Success: Automation Strategies for Compliance and Reporting
This year, we have a solid automation to cut the cost of emissions reduction compliance and reporting focus, highlighting real-world project results and successes. We’ll explore the business case for expanding wellsite automation, optimal remote control strategies, workforce reduction, and strategic automation integration.
We look forward to welcoming you to Wellsite Automation 2025, where industry leaders, innovators, and experts will come together to share insights, tackle challenges, and explore the future of automation in the upstream oil and gas sector. Join us for an event filled with opportunities for learning, networking, and growth. See you there!