Built by the team that did it before.
Kinetic Upstream Technologies is an independent drilling technology company headquartered in Houston, Texas. Founded in 2017 by the engineers behind one of the first commercially successful rotary steerable systems in North America — grown, proven, and sold to Halliburton — Kinetic exists to give operators an open, automation-ready alternative to the Big 3.
Our Story
A Second Act, Decades in the Making
Kinetic founders Jeff Lasater and George Sutherland co-founded Rotary Steerable Tools (RST, Inc.) in 1997 — the first RSS company to operate commercially in North America — and grew it to a successful exit to Halliburton, through Shell Technology Ventures, in 2005.
In the decade that followed, surface automation advanced rapidly. Downhole, little changed: the same three service companies sold the same hydraulic, high-complexity RSS platforms inside the same closed service models. The gap between surface automation and downhole capability kept widening.
Kinetic was founded in 2017 to close that gap. Years of pre-company investment in core intellectual property and engineering design let Kinetic skip the conventional startup curve — pairing the process discipline of an established enterprise with the speed of a small, focused team. Today the platform is commercially proven, with 80+ successful field runs and a perfect safety record, and Kinetic is scaling operations across U.S. and international markets.
Jeff and George at RST, circa 1998
RST Inc. founded
First commercial RSS in North America
RST Acquired by Halliburton
Successful exit through Shell Technology Ventures
Kinetic Founded
Jeff and George launch Kinetic in Houston to close the gap between surface automation and downhole capability
Design & Prototyping
Kontour RSS designed and prototyped; core steering mechanism patented
Field Trials
Kontour validated downhole across multiple test wells and customer pilot programs
From Tool to Platform
The ecosystem takes shape around the Kontour — DrillComm Network wireless communications, K-Pivot BHA stabilization, TeleConnect M/LWD integration, and Kinetic DD Services
Commercial Release
Kontour enters commercial operations
80+ Field Runs
Commercially proven across multiple basins with a perfect safety record
Scale Phase
The ecosystem takes shape around the Kontour — DrillComm Network wireless communications, K-Pivot BHA stabilization, TeleConnect M/LWD integration, and Kinetic DD Services
The Autonomous Endgame
In development: closed-loop downhole control, automated geosteering, and downhole survey management — autonomous placement of your well in the productive zone
Our Mission
Customer-Centered Innovation
Kinetic designs and delivers intuitive drilling technologies that respond to real-world operational needs — reducing the cost and complexity of drilling operations while making advanced capability simple to run.
Innovate
Design and commercialize a new generation of patented autonomous drilling technology.
Validate
Build the track record: 80+ successful field runs completed to date with our flagship automated steering technology.
integrate
Enhance drilling precision through integrated bottom-hole assembly solutions.
Elevate
Lead the industry toward autonomous well placement — reducing time and cost while increasing production efficiency.
Five Principles That Guide Every Kinetic Decision
RELIABILITY
Consistently dependable performance, run after run.
Every design choice starts with one question:
will this work every time, in every environment?
AGILITY
Fast, informed adaptation to changing field conditions and customer needs — decisions made by the people closest to the problem.
EFFICIENCY
Maximum output, minimum waste.
Fewer than 300 components. Field-serviceable without specialized facilities. R&M costs at a fraction of Big 3 platforms.
SIMPLICITY
Easy to deploy, intuitive to operate, straightforward to maintain. Simplicity isn’t a compromise — it’s the source of reliability and value.
IMPACT
Measurable results that improve our customers’ efficiency and profitability — on the rig floor and in the well plan.
Chip Miller
Chief Executive Officer
Jeff Lasater
Chairman &
Chief Technology Officer
Co-Founder
George Sutherland
Chief Operating Officer
Co-Founder
One of Kinetic’s earliest believers and investors, and a former Kinetic board member, Chip stepped in as CEO in 2025 to lead operations, strategy, and commercial growth.
More than 30 years of executive leadership at Halliburton, Weatherford, and Baker Hughes — where he served as SVP of Well Construction — in a career that began running early LWD tools in the field. B.S. in Petroleum Engineering, Colorado School of Mines; Executive MBA, Rice University.
Aerospace engineer and serial innovator in rotary steerable systems and downhole automation. Aerospace Engineering degree from Texas A&M; 13 years in the U.S. Human Space Program.
Led development of the first commercially deployed RSS in North America (RST, Inc.) through its successful exit to Halliburton, and holds multiple patents. As Chairman and CTO, Jeff dedicates his full focus to R&D — driving Kinetic’s technology roadmap and automation initiatives.
Global oilfield executive with more than 30 years in upstream drilling and completions. B.S. in Geological Science, University of Texas.
An industry pioneer in rotary steerable and automated drilling systems, George has commercialized key M/LWD and directional drilling technologies worldwide. He leads Kinetic’s commercial strategy, partnerships, and customer growth.
Alan Reid
Chief Financial Officer
Gary Althoff
VP, Engineering & Product Development
Steve Alley
Manufacturing & Total Quality Management
Finance executive with global operational experience across drilling services and manufacturing. M.A. in Accounting, Aberdeen University; Chartered Accountant (ICAS)
Held regional and global operations management roles for Sperry Drilling.
Four decades in downhole tool development. B.S. in Petroleum Engineering (Magna Cum Laude), University of Missouri–Rolla.
Has delivered more than a dozen downhole and surface systems from concept to commercial success; deep expertise in FMECA, peer review, and configuration control.
Operations leader in manufacturing and quality systems. B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Ohio State; Six Sigma certified.
25 years at Schlumberger across technical, operations, and business development roles.
leadership
A Team With a Proven Track Record
Technical vision, operational execution, and commercial growth — a leadership team aligned around what each does best
Work With an Independent
Whether you’re evaluating rotary steerable options, planning a pilot program, or looking for a Big 3 alternative — we’d welcome the conversation.