Seventy-five years is a significant milestone in any business, but in an industry as cyclical, demanding and constantly evolving as oil and gas, Precision Drilling’s longevity speaks to more than simply staying the course. It reflects an ability to adapt to changing markets, advancing technology, increasingly complex operations and, above all, the evolving needs of customers.
When Precision Drilling began operations in 1951, the drilling industry looked very different. Rigs were simpler, wells were shorter and the idea that robotics, artificial intelligence or real-time analytics could one day influence drilling performance would have seemed like science fiction. Today, Precision is one of North America’s leading drilling contractors and well servicing providers, with a global fleet of more than 180 drilling rigs and more than 140 well servicing rigs across Canada.
Over those 75 years, the company has navigated industry cycles and significant technological change while continuing to evolve how it serves its customers. What has remained consistent is a focus on people, high-quality assets and operational performance, while the tools and technologies used to deliver that performance have advanced considerably.
“Customers have always expected certain fundamentals from us: safety, consistency, dependable crews and strong mechanical performance,” says Carey Ford, CEO of Precision Drilling. “Over the past two decades, the industry has also placed greater emphasis on speed, efficiency and the use of technology to drive results. That technology can take many forms, from advanced equipment to digital solutions such as automation, optimization, equipment and performance monitoring, and utilizing artificial intelligence for inference and drilling support. By leveraging insights from these tools, we continuously support our people in the field, improve our operations and deliver greater value to our customers.”
As the industry has evolved, Precision has strengthened its position as a trusted performance partner. By integrating advanced technology, specialized equipment, and operational expertise, the company helps customers drill longer, deeper, and more complex wells safely and efficiently.
Today’s operators expect predictable outcomes, greater efficiency and consistently strong operational performance. These expectations have driven continued investment in rig design, automation, data, training and field support. While technology is an important part of that evolution, Precision’s advantage lies in connecting those capabilities with experienced people who can translate information into better decisions and apply what is learned across the organization.
“We have successfully transformed into a digital organization to enhance our competitiveness,” says Dustin Honing, CFO of Precision Drilling. “That journey began with our systems, moving from paper to digital workflows, and then extended into rig automation, real-time data analytics and our Digital Twin technology for predictive equipment maintenance. More recently, it has evolved into robotics and AI solutions. That transformation has been a significant achievement for the company.”
Today, that digital evolution is evident across Precision’s operations. Its Alpha™ suite of technologies integrates automation, optimization, analytics and other capabilities to improve drilling performance, consistency and safety. Its EverGreen™ suite provides customers with environmental solutions that reduce emissions, improve fuel efficiency and advance environmental performance objectives.
Precision has also pushed automation beyond software and into physical rig operations. In early 2024, Precision became the first land-drilling contractor to fully automate the rig floor with its AlphaARMS™ modular robotics system. By automating repetitive tasks and removing personnel from one of the rig’s highest-risk working areas, AlphaARMS™ represents the next evolution of how people and technology can work together at the rig site.
These technologies are supported by an increasingly connected digital ecosystem. AlphaAnalytics™ Clarity provides real-time visibility into drilling performance against customer targets, while high-speed connectivity enables rigs to transmit large volumes of operational data to Precision’s Alpha Remote Operations Centres in Houston and Calgary. Together, these capabilities create a continuous feedback loop among the rig, remote experts and customers, allowing performance to be analyzed and lessons learned from one well to inform the next.
The same proactive approach extends to equipment performance through Precision’s Digital Twin technology. “Sensors and real-time monitoring give specialists deeper insight into the condition of critical rig equipment, helping teams identify potential issues before they become failures. The impact has been measurable, with Precision recently recording the lowest quarterly mechanical downtime in its history, largely supported by its Digital Twin monitoring capabilities.
“The importance of this technology has never been greater given the complexity of today’s wells,” says Gene Stahl, COO of Precision Drilling. “When you’re drilling four miles or seven kilometres and operating at the rig’s engineering limits, every aspect of performance matters. These rigs are being pushed hard, so having the insight to identify and prevent issues before they occur is critical and will continue to be a key driver of success.”
While technology has transformed what is possible on a modern drilling rig, Precision’s greatest asset remains the people behind it. With more than 5,000 employees across Canada, the United States and the Middle East, attracting, developing and retaining skilled employees has helped build an experienced workforce capable of delivering consistent results in an increasingly sophisticated operating environment.
Preparing employees for the field’s evolving demands is supported by Precision’s two dedicated training and support facilities: the Drilling Support Centre in Nisku, Alberta, and the Houston Technical Support Centre in Texas. At these facilities, employees can develop their skills and train on operational equipment before applying those capabilities in the field, reinforcing a philosophy that has guided the company for generations: “The Field Comes First.”
That philosophy extends to how Precision approaches its fleet. By maintaining close connections among its field operations, engineering and sales teams, the company continues to adapt its equipment to changing customer requirements. Over the past five years, strategic upgrades have significantly increased the fleet’s productive capacity, from adapting Super Single rigs for heavy oil applications to increasing pump, hookload and horsepower capabilities required for increasingly demanding wells.
“Our operations, engineering and sales teams work together with a clear focus on understanding our customers’ priorities,” says Stahl. “That collaboration has enabled us to continually evolve our fleet, keeping us in step with the industry’s growing drive for efficiency and performance.”
For a company celebrating 75 years, Precision remains firmly focused on what comes next. As drilling advances, wells will become more complex and expectations for safety, efficiency and reliability will continue to rise. Precision’s ability to adapt alongside those demands will remain central to its future, supported by continued investment in its people, technology and fleet to meet the changing needs of its customers and the industry.
That forward-looking mindset also shapes how Precision views its anniversary. Rather than treating 75 years as merely an opportunity to reflect on past accomplishments, the milestone offers a chance to recognize the foundation that has carried the company forward and to consider how that foundation can support its next chapter.
“It’s a tremendous honour to be part of the team leading this company after 75 years,” says Ford. “It’s important to preserve the legacy and reputation Precision has built, but I believe one of the best ways to honour that foundation is to continue pushing the frontier by investing in our people, improving our working environment and advancing the equipment and technology we use to deliver value for our customers.”
Perhaps that is the most fitting way to celebrate Precision Drilling’s 75-year history: by recognizing how far the company has come while remaining focused on what comes next. From a single rig in 1951 to a global operation supported by advanced drilling rigs, automation, robotics, analytics and AI, the tools may have changed considerably, but the objective remains much the same: providing customers with the people, equipment and performance they need to succeed.
As Precision enters its next 75 years, that combination of experience, innovation and adaptability will remain at the centre of its next chapter.