Can Driverless Trucks Reduce Wrecks & Improve Safety in the Permian Basin?

Yes — that’s the answer a couple of companies are now banking on after the first successful run of driverless trucks transporting frac sand across the West Permian Basin. At the center of this venture are Kodiak Robotics, a provider of driverless technology, and Atlas Energy Solutions, Inc., an oil and gas logistics company.

Following an initial driverless delivery in May 2024, Altas is now gearing up to routinely operate a pair of driverless trucks in the Permian Basin starting in early 2025.

Here’s why some see this as a promising move to reduce Permian Basin truck accidents — and why others remain deeply skeptical about driverless trucks entering oilfield operations.

Driverless Trucks Transport Frac Sand in the Permian Basin

Marking a groundbreaking moment in the evolution of driverless vehicles, the self-driving trucks in question are among the first to be involved in oil fields and industrial operations.

Developed by Kodiak to operate without any driver in the cab, these driverless trucks rely on highly advanced autonomous driving systems, sensors, and software all specifically designed to navigate the often-treacherous roads of the West Permian Basin.

These new driverless trucks are tasked with transporting frac sand, a critical component in hydraulic fracturing, from Atlas’s sand mines to drilling sites. To do that, the autonomous trucks will reportedly traverse a 21-mile route of private roads while traveling at roughly 10 to 20 miles per hour (mph).

This marks one of the first instances of fully autonomous vehicles being integrated into such a large-scale, industrial operation. Here are some benefits Atlas hopes to reap from the deployment of driverless trucks in the Permian Basin in the near future.

1. Addressing Safety Concerns

The Permian Basin roads are notoriously dangerous, with a high volume of traffic, several industrial vehicles, and many single-lane areas. Also known to be narrow and poorly lit, the roads across the Permian Basin were simply not designed for the sheer volume of truck traffic they currently handle. This combination of factors contributes to the exceptionally high rate of collisions and traffic deaths on the roads of the Permian Basin.

By leveraging driverless trucks, Altas is hoping to reduce the element of human error in 18-wheeler accidents, particularly in low visibility conditions that can be especially challenging for drivers. With the ability to consistently follow safety protocols, driverless trucks could lower the incidence of truck accidents in the Permian Basin, proponents say.

2. Enhancing Efficiency & Productivity

Driverless trucks may be a viable solution to the persisting trucker shortage in the U.S., offering an option for increasing productivity and reducing downtime. With the ability to operate around the clock without rest, these autonomous trucks could lead to:

• Faster delivery times
• More hauls using fewer trucks and other resources
• An extremely promising advancement in an industry where time is money.

3. Saving on Costs

If driverless trucks effectively reduce accidents, the companies that operate these vehicles could have lower insurance costs, fewer repairs, and less downtime, all of which can translate into significant savings.

Driverless Trucks in the Permian Basin: Criticism & Safety Concerns

Despite the potential benefits, driverless trucks in the Permian Basin are not necessarily the ideal “answer” to oilfield logistics and roadway dangers, critics say. In fact, some opponents argue that introducing driverless trucks in the Permian Basin may be far riskier than it could be advantageous. That’s because they’re concerned about the following.

1. Reliability in Harsh Conditions

Some Permian Basin roads are unpaved, uneven, and/or poorly maintained. Critics argue that while driverless trucks have shown promise on paved highways, their performance in more rugged and unpredictable environments could fall short. That may make these trucks unreliable and possibly riskier if the harsh conditions contribute to system failures on the roads.

2. Cybersecurity Risks

Autonomous trucks rely heavily on software and connectivity, making them potentially vulnerable to hacking and technical failures. Critics worry about potential breaches that could contribute to catastrophic accidents, posing a significant safety threat to those sharing the roads with these self-driving trucks.

3. Regulatory & Legal Challenges

The regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles is still evolving. There are questions about liability in the event of an accident involving a driverless truck, as well as concerns about ensuring that these vehicles comply with safety standards. In light of these concerns, some are urging companies to hold off on deploying autonomous 18-wheelers until there’s a more solid safety and legal framework in place for these vehicles and the parties who operate them.

Will the Possible Advantages of Driverless Trucks Offset Their Risks?

Driverless trucks in the Permian Basin represent a bold step towards a future where technology could reshape the oil and gas industry, as well as roadway safety. While many remain optimistic about the advantages that could come from this new era, there are some very real safety concerns about unleashing a fully autonomous fleet on the roads of the Permian Basin.

As many keep an eye toward 2025 and how a more routine deployment of autonomous trucks in the Permian Basin will fare, regulators, insurance industry experts, and several others are also bracing for unforeseen complications in this uncharted territory.