The roughneck is slowly disappearing from the oilfield as AI and automation take over

The roughneck is slowly disappearing from the oilfield as AI and automation take over

Many thousands of energy jobs are shed amid lower oil prices, efficiency gains, consolidation, and the advent of autonomous AI drilling and fracking operations.

Grease-smeared ‘roughnecks’ are the classic staple of the oilfield. Now they’re vanishing in favor of AI-trained data crunchers

Picture an oilfield. Chances are you see a greasy drilling rig surrounded by a group of equally greased-up and grizzled oilmen, moving heavy equipment in a dangerous and labor-intensive environment. Not these days. The coverall-adorned roughnecks of yesteryear today are now much fewer and more…