Case Study: Largest private Midland Basin operator achieves 43% faster pad construction and cost reductions with Trimble WorksOS and Machine Control

Managing Costs with Enhanced Construction Workflows

Our customer is an independent oil and gas operator headquartered in Midland, TX with over 35 years of experience and more than 1,100 associates. When James S., the Construction Division Manager, took leadership he set two goals: reduce costs and shorten drilling pad construction time. The team faced managing remote work locations, keeping precise schedules to lower machine costs, and gaining real-time visibility into project progress to limit guesswork for office management.

The company deployed a connected Trimble workflow—Trimble Machine Control, Trimble Business Center, Trimble WorksManager, Trimble WorksOS and Trimble Stratus—running a test that compared a technology-equipped team to a control team. The tech-enabled crew cut pad construction time by 43% and reduced costs, while delivering real-time field-to-office productivity data, improved cost management, fewer site visits, and long-term planning gains (projecting 90 years/≈10,000 wells). The operator reports a 6x construction cost savings projection, translating to millions saved annually and billions over 90 years.