digitalization

For the upstream industry, where improvement in efficiency or production can drive significant financial results, there is no question that the size of the digital prize is huge. So are the challenges.

Amid weakening confidence and volatile market conditions, greater efficiencies and decarbonization are at the center of the industry’s agenda.

Competing narratives make it difficult to evaluate the “big crew change.” Has the worst of it already passed, leaving the industry relatively unscathed?

The most read stories reflect interest in the digital transformation, the energy transition, and shale operations.

A proving ground for the use of digital twins has emerged in the North Sea. There, operators Total, Aker BP, and Shell have each developed and deployed twins that they expect to pay big dividends.

To launch in early 2020, the facility will bring together up to 300 developers, data scientists, architects, and other specialists.

Saudi Aramco, BP, and Schlumberger pride themselves on staying at the forefront of digital technology development and deployment. But an equally daunting challenge for the industry heavyweights is keeping their ever-expanding digital systems secure.

The combination of digital technologies will enable Chevron—and, eventually, other companies—to process, visualize, interpret, and glean insights from multiple data sources, the companies said.

Digital technologies serve as a primary theme of this year’s group, with a few environmentally conscious firms included in the mix.