The SPE Drilling Systems Automation Technical Section is now the Drilling Systems Advancement Technical Section (DSATS).
Why the Change?
The industry has evolved—and so have we. Automation remains at the core of what we do, but it’s now part of something bigger—the advancement of the entire drilling ecosystem.
Our New Mission
To bring together operators, drilling contractors, service providers, OEMs, academia, and technology leaders to define, develop, and deploy smarter, more integrated drilling systems that drive increased value throughout the well life cycle.
What This Means
Our new name reflects a broader focus to advance drilling through collaboration, innovation, and systems integration, including
• Big-picture systems thinking: breaking silos and connecting planning, execution, and automation.
• Human-centered design: creating tools that guide, not overwhelm.
• Clarity over chaos: actionable insights that drive real-world performance.
• Collaboration: operators, drilling contractors, service providers, OEM’s, academia, and technology leaders solving challenges together.
We’re excited to continue this journey with you as we move beyond automation toward true systems advancement.
Stay connected through upcoming webinars and events, and follow DSATS on LinkedIn for the latest updates, insights, and opportunities to get involved.
Welcome to the next chapter of DSATS—same mission, bigger vision.