There’s some controversy around artificial intelligence or AI in oil and gas. People are torn between two views: one that AI is too risky for business and another that it brings a lot of progress and economic growth.
What’s actually happening is probably somewhere in the middle, with AI being introduced carefully, step by step. EY found that over 92% of oil and gas enterprises have invested in AI or are planning to do so within the next few years. This rush is very good because businesses that master AI implementation will outperform rivals with less accurate insights into their operations, processes, and assets.
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Contact usAware of the client’s needs, technology-industrial software vendors, including us in Relevant, consistently deploy AI solutions in various fields. Yet, we notice that AI rollout in the energy sector is still lacking, leaving significant room for improvement. For those who doubt, we aim to clarify why investing in AI for oil and gas (among other sectors) is truly worthwhile.
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Although AI’s first use in oil and gas dates back to the 1970s, the industry began actively exploring AI opportunities just a few years ago, aligning with AI’s rapid advancements and the shift towards Oil and Gas 4.0.
AI in oil and gas market is projected to yield substantial ROI, with market valuation potentially rising from $3.5 billion in 2024 to $13 billion by 2034. The solution segment is expected to lead this growth. This indicates a growing demand for pre-built and industry-specific AI solutions and touches all oil and gas industry processes: exploration and production (upstream), transportation and storage (midstream), and refining and marketing (downstream).
AI, by nature, covers a wide spectrum of technologies that transform the oil and gas sector. Here are just some of those making the biggest impact.
Machine learning and predictive analytics are at the forefront of such transformation. By analyzing massive amounts of data coming from sensors, ML algorithms clearly identify patterns and predict equipment failures, reservoir performance, and even optimal drilling locations. This, figuratively speaking, proactive approach minimizes downtime, improves efficiency, and reduces risks.
AI-powered robotics and automation are pivotal in mitigating human risk in hazardous environments. Robots are sent out to check pipelines, perform underwater tasks, and complete wells. Automating these jobs enhances safety and allows human employees to concentrate on more complex activities. The benefits of AI in oil and gas are twofold: operational costs are reduced, and safety levels are heightened.
The IoT implementation, too, is pivotal in achieving seamless operational integration, offering real-time monitoring and analytics across the value chain. A network of sensors embedded in equipment and throughout oil and gas infrastructure generates constant data streams. With IoT in oil and gas, manufacturers worldwide can now examine data as it comes, leading to more effective predictive maintenance, refined process oversight, and smarter decision-making.
Currently, the oil and gas sector can utilize AI, ML, and IoT technologies to tackle a broad spectrum of existing challenges, including but not limited to:
The main challenge in upstream operations is the uncertainty and risk involved in finding and managing oil and gas reserves. Despite the high costs of exploration, finding economically extractable reserves is not guaranteed. Thankfully, AI in oil and gas helps speed up exploration, drilling, and reservoir management, reducing time on site and injury risks.
| Upstream Activity | Developed Tool | AI Approach | Main Effect |
| Geological Assessment | Automated mapping tool for reservoir rock properties | Non-gradient optimization + interpolation techniques | Reduced manual mapping from weeks to seconds, enhancing accuracy in hydrocarbon target definition |
| Geological information extraction from well logs | Gradient boosting | 100+ times speedup in process | |
| Rock typing from well sample images | Deep neural networks | Approximately 1,000,000 times speedup | |
| Drilling | Real-time drilling telemetry for rock type and failure detection | Combination of machine learning algorithms | Saves up to 20% time and 15% in well construction costs, maximizes wellbore to pay zone contact |
| Reservoir Engineering | Conventional reservoir simulation acceleration | Deep neural networks | Speeds up simulations by 200 to 2000 times, enabling optimal field development scenario selection |
| Production Optimization | Objective forecast tool for well treatment campaign efficiency | Gradient boosting + expert-based feature selection | Provides 100+ times faster well treatment effect estimation, leading to up to 20% investment margin growth |
Source: ScienceDirect
Focused on margins, downstream companies benefit from AI optimizing production processes, from refining to petrochemical production, leading to higher output and lower waste. In general, utilizing artificial intelligence in oil and gas leads to:
AI in oil and gas is not just changing how things are done, it’s bringing significant improvements across the board. Let’s explore the table with some key areas where AI is making a positive impact:
| Area of Impact | Description | Example |
| Enhancing Exploration Efficiency | AI hastens the discovery of oil and gas, sifting through seismic data to pinpoint potential drilling locations, boosting the chances of success. | ExxonMobil used AI in the Guyana Basin to discover new oil deposits efficiently. |
| Transforming Production Operations | AI optimizes drilling with real-time data analysis, adjusting drilling parameters to increase efficiency and reduce costs. | Shell Oil Company implemented an AI system to reduce drilling times and improve wellbore quality. |
| Streamlining Downstream Processes | AI predicts refinery equipment failures, enabling proactive maintenance and preventing costly downtime. | BP utilizes AI for predictive maintenance, minimizing disruptions and saving costs. |
| Safety Improvements and Risk Reduction | AI-powered robots take on hazardous tasks like pipeline inspections, reducing workplace accidents and ensuring safety. | Equinor actively deploys AI-equipped robots for safe pipeline inspections, avoiding human exposure to danger. |
While artificial intelligence (AI) promises to transform the oil and gas industry, its implementation is not without challenges. Each of these obstacles must be addressed to leverage AI’s potential fully.
High-quality, comprehensive data is crucial for AI in oil and gas to deliver accurate predictions and deep insights. However, the oil and gas sector often grapples with data that is either incomplete, inconsistent, or siloed across different departments. This limitation can hinder AI systems’ ability to learn effectively and produce reliable outcomes. Maintaining data accuracy and promoting a culture of data exchange are critical measures to address this issue.
Incorporating AI innovations into established operational systems presents a considerable obstacle. Numerous oil and gas firms rely on outdated infrastructures, which often lack immediate compatibility with modern AI technologies. To facilitate a smooth integration of these advanced solutions without interrupting current processes, there is a need for meticulous strategy development and substantial financial input to either update the existing systems or create interfaces that enable effortless incorporation.
The successful deployment of AI in oil and gas necessitates a workforce that is skilled in traditional industry knowledge and proficient in AI and data analytics. The scarcity of skilled professionals is a significant hurdle for AI’s broader integration. To overcome this, companies must invest in comprehensive training programs to enhance their team’s capabilities and draw in fresh talent equipped with the necessary technical know-how.
Using AI in oil and gas sector raises real concerns about ethics and the environment. AI’s decisions can seriously impact our efforts to protect the planet and live sustainably. That’s why it’s essential for companies to focus on creating AI that’s mindful of these issues. They should aim to use AI to make their operations more efficient, reduce waste, and stay in line with environmental rules.
To smoothly embrace AI in oil and gas processes, it’s essential to stakeholders address these key prerequisites thoughtfully:
First, ensure your oil and gas AI initiatives align with your business goals. So, it’s recommended to focus on areas where AI can significantly impact production efficiency or exploration success. Begin with a small, focused pilot project to learn and refine your approach before scaling up. Besides, because high-quality data is foundational for AI success, you must invest in robust data management systems.
Because most AI projects benefit from collaboration across disciplines, you must combine the expertise of data scientists, engineers, and domain specialists. Evaluate your team’s understanding of data science and AI and develop training to fill any gaps. Cultivating a data-driven culture is also vital, where insights from data across all organizational levels inform decisions.
Working with experienced AI providers can make a big difference. Look for providers with a strong track record in the oil and gas industry and successful AI implementations. Make sure you both agree on specific goals, what you expect, and a schedule. Prefer AI options that are straightforward and understandable, which helps gain users’ trust.
It’s important to know whether your oil and gas industry AI investments are paying off. Set up clear ways to measure success, like cost savings, efficiency gains, or fewer safety incidents. Monitor these metrics to see how well AI is working for you and where you might need to adjust your approach.
Read here about – How to Create an AI System
As you can see, driving innovation with AI in the oil and gas industry can be complex and demanding, requiring attention to numerous details. Yet, partnering with a company such as Relevant can make AI software development effortless for your business. We force the whole digital transformation of your oil and gas enterprise, developing bespoke AI software solutions that align with your specific requirements. Contact us to hire AI engineers and begin crafting your software!
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