Can Robotics Reshape How Chevron Runs Its Global Operations?
Chevron Corporation CVX is taking robotics further into field operations as part of a broader effort to improve safety, efficiency and data quality. Chevron says robots and remotely operated tools are now supporting tank inspections, cleaning, plant walkabouts and remote monitoring, reducing the need for employees to enter confined or otherwise hazardous areas. Its latest Form 10-Q does not separately quantify robotics benefits, but identifies technology-enabled productivity as one contributor to the company’s broader cost-reduction program and evolving operating model across its global businesses over the longer term.
Tank operations show how the strategy is producing tangible results. Chevron says robotic tank inspections have saved more than $25 million and about 43,000 work hours since 2024, while robotic cleaning has generated more than $6 million in savings and reduced roughly 28,000 hours. Submersible inspection robots can examine tank bottoms without fully draining and venting the equipment, which can limit downtime and improve data quality. Chevron has deployed such systems at multiple U.S. facilities, including its El Segundo refinery in California, where the technology supports safer maintenance work and inspections.
Chevron is also extending robotics beyond tanks. Drones are used for visual and thermal inspections and emissions detection, while the company is developing autonomous “drone-in-a-box” systems to reduce field visits. Its Spot robots can patrol facilities, inspect equipment and collect images that help maintenance teams flag potential issues earlier. Across robotics initiatives, Chevron reported more than $92 million in savings and over 143,000 at-risk hours eliminated since 2024, underscoring how automation can support reliability and efficiency while keeping workers farther from hazardous tasks across a wider operating footprint over time.
To deepen the robotics discussion, it is useful to look at how other global energy majors are deploying similar technologies. Shell plc SHEL and TotalEnergies SE TTE are also using autonomous systems to improve inspection work, reduce human exposure to hazardous environments and strengthen operational monitoring. Their efforts show that robotics is becoming a broader industry tool rather than a Chevron-specific initiative.
Currently, Chevron carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Shell is expanding robotics across energy facilities to improve inspection quality and reduce worker exposure to hazardous environments. Shell uses land, subsea and aerial systems, including Sensabot and ExR-1, to support gas detection, equipment monitoring and remote data collection. By combining robotics with advanced imaging and sensing technologies, Shell is building a more automated inspection framework aimed at strengthening safety, reliability and operational consistency.
TotalEnergies is advancing robotics through its ARGOS program, which focuses on autonomous inspection across complex industrial sites. TotalEnergies uses robotic systems to detect gas leaks, monitor temperatures, collect operating data and generate 3D maps while navigating difficult environments. Through trials in locations including the North Sea and Angola, TotalEnergies is moving toward broader remote oversight, autonomous monitoring and integrated robotic operations.
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