Detmar Logistics, a US bulk transportation company, will commence transporting proppant in Texas and New Mexico using autonomous semi-trucks starting in early 2026. This initiative, announced by Aurora Innovation on 8/12, marks a significant step for both companies. Aurora Innovation, a US technology company, is renowned for developing self-driving truck systems and its "virtual driver" solution, Aurora Driver.

Proppant, a granular material like fracking sand, is crucial for oil and gas extraction. It is mixed into hydraulic fluid to maintain open fissures during drilling operations in West Texas and eastern New Mexico. Fracking sand, consisting of small, uniform particles, is pumped into rock formations with water to create and sustain these fissures during hydraulic fracturing.

San Antonio-based Detmar Logistics will deploy a fleet of Peterbilt trucks integrated with Aurora's autonomous technology. These vehicles will transport proppant nearly 20 hours daily on public and private roads within the Permian Basin, one of the largest oil and gas producing regions in the US. The transport route will utilize both the interstate highway I-20 and local roads, ensuring efficient delivery.

Initially, trips between Detmar’s facility in Midland, Texas, and Capital Sand’s mine in Monahans, Texas, will include a safety driver in the cabin. However, starting in Q2/2026, Aurora and Detmar aim for fully driverless operations using International LT Series trucks, which Aurora plans to acquire in 2025. This phased approach allows for rigorous testing and safety protocol approval.

According to technology provider Aurora, Detmar Logistics plans to own and operate a large truck fleet utilizing Aurora Driver technology in the future. *Photo: Aurora*

Aurora had previously planned for fully driverless operations starting in Q2/2025. However, Peterbilt and its parent company Paccar required a safety supervisor to remain in the cabin until safety procedures are approved. Aurora is currently collaborating with Paccar and Volvo Autonomous Solutions, both of whom are integrating the Aurora Driver autonomous system into their factory-produced vehicle lines, indicating broader industry adoption.

According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Detmar Logistics currently operates 29 leased semi-trucks. Its affiliated company, Detmar Transport, owns an additional 159 semi-trucks, which transport fracking sand, general cargo, and heavy machinery, showcasing the scale of their current operations.

CEO Matt Detmar noted that the demand for fracking sand transportation is increasing significantly. This surge is driven by the expansion of the simul-frac technique, which involves simultaneously pumping hydraulic fluid into multiple wells to accelerate extraction, and the transition of more operators to 24/7 operating models. "Aurora’s autonomous technology is a game-changer for the industry. It helps us enhance efficiency and ensure a safe, stable flow of proppant for our customers," Detmar stated.

In the future, Detmar anticipates owning a large-scale fleet utilizing Aurora Driver technology. These initial operations will become some of Aurora’s first commercial autonomous routes between extraction points, marking a significant step for the technology company as it expands beyond traditional terminal-to-terminal routes and into more dynamic operational environments.

Aurora has already established the Fort Worth - El Paso route in Texas and is finalizing the validation phase for the return journey from El Paso to Fort Worth. The company also plans to extend this route to Phoenix, increasing the total federal mileage to over 1,000 miles, significantly exceeding traditional driver hour limits. Subsequent expansion routes are expected to connect Dallas with Laredo, Texas, and Dallas with Atlanta, Georgia, illustrating Aurora’s ambitious growth strategy.

Aurora considers the agreement with Detmar to be the first instance of autonomous proppant and fracking sand transportation on public roads within the Permian Basin. This move highlights the competitive landscape, as Atlas Energy Solutions previously tested proppant transport using two autonomous vehicles on private roads since January, employing Kodiak Robotics’ technology, and has since received 8 autonomous vehicles from an order of 100.

Detmar Logistics is a logistics company specializing in the transportation of bulk goods and materials for the US oil and gas industry, notably providing last-mile services for fracking operations. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, the company manages a heavy-haul transport fleet operating in major extraction regions like the Permian Basin. Both Detmar Logistics and Detmar Transport are part of the Detmar Holdings ecosystem, providing transportation services to major energy corporations in the US.

*By Gia Han (According to Tranports Topics)*