The actual drilling operations in XOM's Permian activities are controlled, real time, by a team located at the XOM campus in Spring Tx, and have been for some time. This step is automating the actual rig work, getting people off the rig itself, albeit these is a local following directions and remotely monitoring the actual rig itself. There are two fully automated rigs operating now. XOM expects to have half of its Permian rigs doing so by 2028.

In broad terms, there are two general classes of field labor in the oil patch. Roustabouts and roughnecks. Roustabouts are general laborers, low skill levels, who do the general labor and maintenance in the oil fields. I did that one summer during college. Roughnecks are the folks who work directly on the drilling rig - a skilled and dangerous job. Loading, moving, and connecting/disconnecting pipe to the drill bits are a big part of the job. While much of this has been semi-automated from the days when thrown chains were used, it remains close up, dangerous work. I am very happy I wasn't a roughneck.

These fully automated rigs are the next step to improve both efficiency and safety.

I would guess that locally managed fully automated rigs would become more frequent as companies are willing to pay the increased up-front capital costs. Chevron probably has the technology for REMOTE control- I don't know if they're doing so now or not. I doubt OXY has either the technology or capital to do so. But I may be wrong, I don't have any direct knowledge.