AUSTIN, Texas - Petroleum giant Chevron Corp. in San Ramon, Calif., and drone technology company Percepto in Austin, Texas, have reached the six-month mark in a pilot program testing artificial intelligence (AI)-powered remote inspection capabilities. Launched near Midland, Texas, the program assesses the impact of AI-driven autonomous monitoring on facility management. A goal is reducing field teams' time on the road, allowing personnel to focus on other tasks while improving response times to potential issues.
"With advanced technology, we can take a more proactive approach to managing our operations," said Kerri Harvey, Chevron's Midland Basin Operations Superintendent. "This enables us to make smarter decisions and remain aligned with our focus on producing energy responsibly."
Percepto’s drones fly pre-programmed missions and use AI to detect anomalies, triggering automated alerts when irregularities are identified. The technology integrates with facility management systems, including remotely operated valves and sensors, to enhance monitoring without increasing personnel workload.
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In the first 90 days, Chevron reported signs of improved monitoring efficiency, faster issue detection, and time savings for employees.
"Leveraging automation enables our teams to spend less time on the road and more time focusing on high-priority tasks," Harvey said. "This not only keeps our workforce safer but also allows us to direct resources where they can make the biggest impact."
The program reflects a broader trend in the energy industry toward AI and automation to enhance operations.
"This is what AI-powered automation is all about—giving operators the ability to inspect more, detect issues faster, and make decisions with real-time data, without adding operational strain," said Dor Abuhasira, CEO of Percepto.
Chevron’s early results highlight the potential of autonomous monitoring in improving industrial safety and efficiency.
