Oil and gas fleet management: How technology keeps operations safe and efficient

According to the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (EIA), moving natural gas makes up almost one-tenth of operating costs for U.S. oil and gas companies. But cost is only part of the challenge.

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Many fleets work far from towns or cities, hauling hazardous loads through rough terrain while meeting strict safety and environmental standards. When equipment fails, inspections are missed, or compliance slips, the ripple effect can be serious, delays pile up, expenses rise, and safety risks increase.

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To reduce those problems, many operators now rely on modern fleet management systems. For company leaders, that kind of visibility can mean faster responses, fewer operational slowdowns, and safer worksites, even under the toughest field conditions.

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In this article, we’ll look at what it really takes to run an oil and gas fleet, the benefits of using specialized technology, profiles of five leading providers, and answers to common questions about how these systems perform on the job.

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How is oil and gas fleet management different from others?

Running a fleet in the oil and gas world is nothing like managing delivery vans or city buses. Out here, it’s long stretches of nothing, risky worksites, and rules that don’t bend. Your trucks might be hauling crude, chemicals, or equipment that’s worth more than the truck itself, rumbling through places where a wrong move could put you right next to a fragile ecosystem, or in the middle of nowhere with no help in sight.

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Safety isn’t some box you tick at the end of the day. It’s the first thing on your mind in the morning and the last thing you think about before shutting down. The regulations are strict, sure, but in truth, the consequences of slipping up are what really keep people sharp. A blown tire, a bad route call, or a faulty valve can stall an entire project, or worse.

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Then there’s the terrain. Roads that look fine on a map might be mud tracks, washed out, or iced over. Weather can change in a heartbeat, and the nearest parts shop might be half a day’s drive. If something breaks, you’d better have what you need on board, because waiting for help isn’t an option.

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That’s why the best crews live by a simple rule: fix problems before they happen. Stay aware, keep the gear in top shape, and never get comfortable. In this line of work, “best practices” aren’t just nice ideas, they’re the thin line between a smooth run and a very bad day.

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Real life example:

A recent report from the Associated Press, based on leaked documents and whistleblower accounts, has revealed ongoing safety concerns in Shell’s offshore oil operations, particularly involving the Bonga production vessel off the coast of Nigeria.

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‍The 2011 Bonga spill, one of Nigeria’s worst, dumped roughly 40,000 barrels of oil into the Atlantic. More than a decade later, a 2022 internal review found that many of the same weaknesses in oil-transfer systems and firefighting equipment still persisted. 

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Shell maintains that safety incidents have fallen in recent years, yet feedback from crew members paints a different picture. Many workers say they still fear the possibility of another serious spill, pointing to ongoing maintenance problems that have not been resolved and continue to create risks.

What are the benefits of oil and gas fleet management?

Here are the benefits of oil and gas fleet management:

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1. Improved field safety through driver monitoring and real-time alerts

In oil and gas hauling, safety isn’t a side note, it’s the job. Drivers might be hundreds of miles from the nearest town, moving loads that demand steady hands and sharp focus. To help them, many fleets use tools that share a driver’s location in real time, record what’s happening inside the cab, and send alerts if something looks off. 

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That could mean catching a moment of fatigue, spotting harsh braking, or noticing speeds creeping too high. When an alert pops up, a manager can act straight away, rerouting, calling in a break, or giving quick advice. Those small, fast decisions often keep a minor issue from turning into a serious accident, and over time they build a culture where everyone watches out for one another.

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2. Reduced downtime with preventive maintenance and usage tracking

In oil and gas work, losing even one vehicle can throw the whole day off. The smartest way to avoid that? Catch small problems before they turn into big ones. That means topping off fluids, swapping out parts before they fail, and giving the rig a once-over on a regular basis.

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It’s nothing fancy, just the kind of habits that keep machines moving. Out here, the nearest repair shop might be hours away, so every breakdown is more than just an inconvenience. It’s time, money, and momentum you might not get back.

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That’s why keeping tabs on how much each truck or rig is actually used is so valuable. Maintenance can then be timed to match real workload, not just a calendar date. It’s a small change that helps keep equipment reliable and crews moving, even in the most remote job sites.

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3. Fuel cost control in long-haul and off-road conditions

Ask anyone running an oil and gas fleet and they’ll tell you, fuel eats a big chunk of the budget. When trucks are racking up miles on the highway or grinding through backroads, every gallon counts. 

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Keeping tabs on fuel use as it happens makes it easier to spot where it’s slipping away, maybe a driver’s letting the engine idle too long, maybe the route’s not the best, or maybe something under the hood is dragging down efficiency.

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A few tweaks here and there, changing the run, timing fuel stops better, reminding crews to ease up on bad habits, can trim the costs. Over a season, those small gains stack up, leaving more money for other jobs and keeping the wheels turning in places where stopping isn’t an option.

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4. Regulatory compliance with hours-of-service, environmental, and transport laws

Running a fleet in the oil and gas sector means living by a thick rulebook. Drivers can only spend so many hours on the road. Hazardous loads have to be handled a certain way. Emissions can’t creep past legal limits. These aren’t just hoops to jump through, they’re there to protect people, nearby communities, and the environment.

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To keep it manageable, a lot of operators have turned to digital tools that quietly do the heavy lifting, logging hours, tracking maintenance, and monitoring fuel burn and emissions. So when an inspector shows up or an audit lands on your desk, the paperwork’s already sorted. It cuts the hassle, keeps stress low, and helps the fleet stay compliant wherever the job takes them.

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5. Asset visibility across job sites, refineries, and remote routes

Oil and gas fleets rarely stay in one place. Some vehicles are stationed at refineries, others are on active job sites, and plenty are moving between far-off locations. Without a clear system, it’s easy to lose track of where equipment is or how it’s being used. 

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With modern tracking tech, managers can pull up a live view of every asset, whether it’s parked, on the road, or working in the field. Knowing this in real time cuts down on wasted hours, reduces idle equipment, and makes sure the right tools get to the right spot. It also makes life easier when projects are spread out across hundreds of miles.

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6. Accident response readiness via GPS and diagnostics monitoring

When trouble hits, whether it’s out on the highway or deep in the field, time isn’t on your side. GPS tracking and onboard diagnostics let managers know, in real time, exactly where a vehicle is and what shape it’s in. That means they can get the right help to the right place without wasting minutes guessing.

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It also gives crews on the way accurate details before they even arrive, so they’re ready to act fast. Quick, informed decisions keep drivers safer and stop small issues from snowballing into big, costly problems. In oil and gas, where the stakes are high and conditions can turn risky in a heartbeat, that kind of readiness can be the difference between a close call and a disaster.

Top 5 providers of oil and gas fleet management

We’ve picked out the top five providers of oil and gas fleet management:

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1. Fynd

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Fynd is built for fleets that operate in the toughest conditions, making it a solid fit for oil and gas companies. It gives managers a live view of where every vehicle is and how it’s performing, while also providing the tools to keep drivers safe and equipment in good shape.

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The system works well for teams that have to navigate hazardous routes or work far from base, helping leaders stay connected to crews in the field. By focusing on both efficiency and safety, it supports smoother operations and better decision-making.

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Key features:

• You can pull up a map anytime and see exactly where each truck is, plus a quick read on its condition.
• If something’s off, from a safety concern to a mechanical glitch, you’ll get a heads-up before it snowballs.
• Reminders pop up when it’s time for service, so you’re not dealing with a breakdown halfway through a job.
• Fuel logs make it easy to spot waste, tighten up mileage, and keep fuel bills under control.
• Even when crews are scattered in rough or remote locations, you can keep everyone in touch and on track.

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2. Geotab

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In oil and gas, few names are as familiar as Geotab when it comes to keeping fleets on the move. Their gear is built for punishment, the kind you get from dust, heat, freezing wind, and long stretches of rough road.

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The platform’s software is straightforward and doesn’t waste time on fluff. It shows managers exactly where vehicles and equipment are, how they’re running, and whether everything checks out under industry rules. 

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Crews spread across oilfields, pipelines, or refinery yards rely on it because one stalled truck or broken pump can throw an entire day’s plan in the bin. Spotting problems early saves money, and the reporting tools give teams enough warning to keep trucks rolling and jobs on schedule.

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Key features:

• Gear built tough, tested, and proven to hold up in extreme field conditions.
• Vehicle checks that catch mechanical trouble early, before it turns into downtime.
• Easy ways to log driver hours and stay on the right side of regulations.
• GPS tracking that shows, in real time, where vehicles and heavy equipment are working across all sites.
• Reports that give you a clearer picture of fleet safety and efficiency.

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3. Verizon Connect

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Verizon Connect has made a name for itself by giving fleet managers in the oil and gas sector a clear window into their operations, no matter how remote the location. The platform pulls together GPS tracking, job scheduling, and compliance tools into one place, so there’s no jumping between systems. 

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This really pays off when the job site is hours, or even hundreds of miles, away from the main office. Managers can still check where each vehicle is, what it’s working on, and whether it’s using more fuel than it should. 

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The system also handles ELD compliance, logging driver hours and keeping you within regulations without burying the team in paperwork. For most crews, that means fewer curveballs, smoother coordination in the field, and tighter control over fuel spending.

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Key features:

• Pull up a live map anytime to see exactly where each truck or piece of gear is, and get a quick sense of its condition.
• Need to send a crew out? The scheduling and dispatch tools cut down on the usual back-and-forth calls.
• Hours-of-service get logged automatically, keeping you compliant without drowning in paperwork.
• Fuel use is tracked along the way, so you can catch waste and keep mileage sharp.
• Even with vehicles scattered over remote job sites, you can still keep tabs on the whole operation.

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4. Samsara

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Samsara gives oil and gas operators a practical way to keep fleets connected and safe, even when the work takes place far from main roads or in tough conditions. It uses a mix of on-site devices and cloud-based tools so managers can see where vehicles are, how they are being handled, and what kind of environment they are operating in.

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Onboard cameras capture driving activity, while GPS units keep track of routes. Sensors monitor changes in temperature, humidity, and other factors that might put sensitive equipment or materials at risk.

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Key features:

• GPS location tracking paired with camera footage for added context.
• Monitoring tools for environmental conditions around vehicles and cargo.
• Remote data access for crews in the field and managers in the office.

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5. Fleet Complete

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Fleet Complete offers an all-in-one system for keeping track of vehicles, assets, and crews, built with tough industries like oil and gas in mind. The platform brings together GPS tracking, asset sensors, and worker safety features in one place, making it easier for managers to stay compliant, protect high-value equipment, and keep teams in touch even in remote areas.

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It’s designed to handle the demands of hazardous cargo transport, making sure both drivers and vehicles stick to strict safety rules. 

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Key features:

• One screen shows where your vehicles, tools, and teams are at any moment.
• Spot risky driving habits early, before they turn into problems.
• Reminds you when it’s time for maintenance so equipment lasts longer.