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AI is emerging as a game-changer for the oil and gas sector. The world's top oil and gas producers are embracing Artificial Intelligence strategies throughout their operations covering exploration, production, processing, refining, and logistics. A recent EY survey revealed that over 92% of global oil and gas companies are already investing in it or planning to do so.
What is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial Intelligence is a discipline that fuses computer science with extensive datasets to facilitate problem solving. It also encompasses subfields like machine learning and deep learning, which use algorithms designed to create expert systems that can make predictions or classifications based on input data. Throughout the years, AI has experienced multiple cycles of excitement. However, ChatGPT’s release brought a significant turning point with its natural language processing.
Beyond Silicon Valley
No longer relegated to Silicon Valley, discussions surrounding advanced analytics, machine learning, and data-driven process optimization are becoming commonplace in the oil and gas sector. Artificial Intelligence is now an integral part of resource procurement, inventory management, logistics, decision-making, back-office operations, and cybersecurity – a crucial focus considering today's cybersecurity challenges and the strategic importance of energy infrastructure. Moreover, the energy industry is exploring AI-driven investments tailored to its specific needs. This includes allocating capital for geological assessments, seismic data analysis, and surface examination in hydrocarbon exploration.
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Minimizing Downtime
A prominent area of investment revolves around minimizing downtime at oil and gas facilities. Predictive analytics, powered by AI, is being used to anticipate and prevent unplanned stoppages, which have historically cost the industry millions. Algorithms analyze incoming data for anomalies and inconsistencies, enabling companies to proactively address issues.
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The Promise of Digital Twins
One of the industry's holy grails is the implementation of digital twins: a virtual representation of an object or system that spans its lifecycle, is updated from real-time data, and uses simulation, machine learning and reasoning to help decision-making.
The subject under examination, like a pumpjack, is equipped with a range of sensors -IoT- that monitor crucial functional aspects. These sensors collect information regarding various elements of the object's real-world performance, such as amount of crude oil produced, water and natural gas obtained, engine performance and more. Subsequently, this data is transmitted to a processing system and integrated into the digital replica.
Once enriched with this data, the virtual model becomes a valuable tool for conducting simulations, investigating performance concerns, and devising potential enhancements. All of these efforts are aimed at deriving valuable insights, which can then be implemented to enhance the original physical object.
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Sustainability, Security, and Affordability
While capex allocation to this theme is driven by cost considerations, a significant motivation is the management of the energy sustainability trilemma: sustainability, security, and affordability. AI solutions are expected to help manage production costs efficiently, contribute to resource optimization, and assist in meeting emissions targets over time.
AI is not just about making processes better or faster – it is about revolutionizing exploration, development, production, transportation, refining, and sales. With the capacity to augment human skills, AI enables professionals to engage in more creative, value-added tasks.
In Conclusion
AI's integration into the oil and gas industry is a transformative force. With over 92% of companies investing in AI, we see efficiency improvements, reduced downtime, and the advent of digital twins. Sustainability, security, and affordability are at the forefront of AI's impact. It is not just about making things better; it is about revolutionizing the entire industry. AI empowers professionals to be more creative, ushering in a new era of value-added tasks and innovations.
Ready to unlock the power of AI in your oil and gas company? Contact Oscar Cruz, our CTO, at oscar@bowriversolutions.com for more information. Bring your data to life.