I think Inglis is right - technology is only an enabler, it's people that make the difference. In common with other engineering-based industries, the oil industry has been suffering from brain drain for years; with every other sector scrapping hard in the talent war, it would be folly for oil and gas companies to ignore the value of attracting, developing and retaining the best people.

It's all about talent. In order to develop and use high-tech equipment it is vital to have the right people in place, and retaining those people is key to the long-term development and success of a company.

In any industrial business, the best people, with visionary leadership, and sound investments, make the best companies. Technology is great, but it has to fit the vision for change in how the company operates. That can be the game changer for each company. 95% of the supply in North America comes from independents. Most of them are low-tech and manpower intensive. Soon that manpower will retire or leave. That work that is being done is costly today, and can be done automatically, if those smaller independents start to understand what is available to them, how to restructure operations, and put their talent into the new high value roles needed.

There is an interesting article on ExxonMobil in Business Week. I will put a link later