Ravi Shankar, SPE, is an industry veteran with more than 37 years’ experience. A graduate from IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, his work at ONGC involves bringing automation to offshore operations. When these fields have matured, he works in the development of western offshore fields of India and other marginal fields, introducing new technologies and dimensions of working in the areas of field development and process optimization.
MI: What key issues do you emphasize in your work at ONGC, and what mitigation strategies are taken to counter the challenges?
RS: As executive director of the western offshore of ONGC, my focus will be on several critical areas to ensure sustained growth and operational efficiency.
Fast-track monetization: The priority will be to quickly monetize any exploratory additions by utilizing existing facilities wherever possible or conceptualizing new facilities when necessary. The focus will be on minimizing the time gap between accretion and production, ensuring a swift and efficient transition from discovery to revenue generation and faster asset monetization. ONGC plans to invest $3.5 billion in 3 to 4 years to increase oil and gas production from western offshore assets.
Project implementation for asset growth: The focus will be on faster project execution by breaking projects into manageable segments, monetizing small and marginal fields, and ensuring rigorous oversight with dedicated project management execution.
Technology adoption: I will strongly instill an environment and support for integrating emerging technologies, such as the digitization of western offshore oil fields of India, newer completion techniques, artificial intelligence (AI), etc., by setting and executing pilot programs to keep our operations at the cutting edge.
Optimizing surface facility operations: Implementing predictive maintenance technologies and conducting regular performance reviews will ensure that surface facilities operate with minimum downtime and maximum output. ONGC is also planning to develop a wellhead platform with minimum process facilities to optimize the facility.
Material management optimization: Enhancing the material management process at the western offshore level, inventory management, reducing costs, and ensuring timely resource availability will require a lot of attention and coordinated effort from all stakeholders.
Integrated digitization of offshore logistics: The focus will be on digitalizing the system for consolidated information and well-informed decisions. Improvements in operational coordination across the offshore network will be reviewed frequently.
Cost management and OPEX optimization: Implementing a cost management framework, streamlining processes through digitization, improving operational efficiency, and distributing resources based on reservoir potential will ensure high production while optimizing operational expenses.
These initiatives will drive western offshore's performance, ensuring growth and efficiency in our operations. By addressing these key issues with comprehensive mitigation strategies, ONGC can effectively navigate challenges, enhance operational efficiency, and sustain long-term growth in the dynamic energy landscape.
MI: The petroleum industry has been considered a blue-collar industry which faces concerns in the quantity and quality of talent and issues in talent retention. What is your message for today’s young energy professionals on India's energy sector's growth prospects? What can young exploration and production (E&P) professionals do to help?
RS: To today's young energy professionals entering India's petroleum sector, here's a message on the growth prospects and their role in shaping the industry's future.
Growth prospects in India's energy sector
India's energy sector, particularly in oil and gas, presents significant growth opportunities driven by increasing energy demand, infrastructure development, and government initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat. As the economy expands, so does the need for skilled professionals to innovate and drive sustainable energy solutions.
Advice for young E&P professionals
Innovation and technology adoption: Embrace innovation and new technologies like AI, internet of things (IoT), and renewable energy solutions. These innovations can enhance exploration efficiency, optimize operations, and promote sustainable practices.
Environmental stewardship
Focus on environmentally sustainable practices. Young professionals can advocate for and implement initiatives like carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) and promote renewable energy integration in the sector.
Skill enhancement and continuous learning
Invest in continuous learning and skill enhancement. Stay updated with industry trends, technological advancements, and global best practices to remain competitive in the evolving energy landscape.
Leadership and collaboration
Foster leadership qualities and collaboration across disciplines. Engage in cross-functional teamwork, share knowledge, and contribute to a culture of innovation and excellence within your organization.
Ethical practices and governance
Uphold ethical standards and good governance practices. Promote transparency, integrity, and accountability in all aspects of your work, contributing to a sustainable and responsible industry image.
Contribution to national energy security
Recognize your contribution to India's energy security. The petroleum sector is crucial in fueling economic growth and meeting the nation's energy needs. Your dedication and contributions can directly impact the sector's resilience and competitiveness on a global scale.
By embracing these principles and actively contributing to the growth and sustainability of India's energy sector, young professionals can not only advance their careers but also play a pivotal role in shaping a brighter and more resilient future for the industry and the nation as a whole.
MI: What key technology challenges do you see for the E&P of western offshore fields in the next 10 years?
RS: The E&P of western offshore fields face several key technological challenges over the next decade.
Reservoir management and optimization: Maximizing recovery from mature and complex reservoirs with declining production rates requires enhanced reservoir simulation models, AI-driven reservoir management tools, and real-time data analytics for optimizing production and improving reservoir characterization.
Cost efficiency and operational excellence: Maintaining cost efficiency amidst fluctuating oil prices and operational complexities necessitates automation and robotics for operational tasks, IoT-enabled sensors for asset monitoring, and predictive maintenance algorithms to minimize downtime and reduce operational costs.
Environmental and safety standards: Ensuring stringent environmental compliance and safety standards in offshore operations requires monitoring systems for environmental impact assessment, advanced blowout prevention systems, and automated safety protocols. Integration of digital twins for predictive maintenance and risk mitigation is also essential.
Aging workforce: As experienced professionals retire, there will be a need to attract and train new talent to fill the gap. This includes ensuring that the new workforce is equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle advanced technologies and complex operations.
Energy transition and sustainability: Adapting to global energy transition trends toward cleaner energy sources involves investing in renewable energy integration solutions such as offshore wind farms, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, and hydrogen production facilities.
These technological advancements are crucial for overcoming the challenges and ensuring the efficient and sustainable development of western offshore fields.
ONGC's Planned Investments and Available Technology To Increase Production
Collaboration with global technology providers
ONGC is seeking partnerships with internationally proven technical service providers to raise oil and gas production from its flagship matured Mumbai field in the Arabian Sea. This collaboration aims to apply best-in-class reservoir management technologies and adopt globally best operational and management practices. Mumbai High is one of the prime assets of ONGC, and significant upside is still to be unlocked here. The identified service provider would carry out a comprehensive review of field performance and identify improvements in wells;, reservoirs, including water injection; and facilities management.
Time-lapse seismic technology
Time-lapse seismic provides invaluable insights into the dynamic behavior of mature oil and gas fields. By comparing multiple seismic surveys acquired at different times, operators can better estimate bypassed oil with reduced uncertainty and extend field life by making informed decisions. Encouraging results were obtained after time-lapse seismic survey in D1 field which helped to unlock major prolific reservoir zones. Similar surveys are underway in other major fields of western offshore for promising results.
In conclusion, while there are significant challenges in western offshore E&P, ONGC's strategic investments in technology and its continued focus on innovation position it well to enhance production capabilities over the coming decade. Continued adaptation to technological advancements and sustainable practices will be crucial in achieving long-term growth and operational excellence in offshore fields.
MI: Which regions show the greatest recovery from the recent downturns in oil production of ONGC western offshore?
RS: Every oil and gas field naturally goes through a life cycle of development, plateau, and eventual decline in production, which is a well-known phenomenon in the industry. However, the growth continues through the monetization of discoveries and mitigation of decline rates with initiatives such as drilling infill wells and enhancing recovery factors. A few years ago, low gas pricing rendered several projects unviable. However, the current optimistic scenario with higher oil and gas prices and the recent support from the Government of India—such as the 20% incremental price incentive for gas—provides a much-needed boost. This favorable environment is expected to increase both production and profitability.
Numerous previously unviable projects have now received approval and are expected to generate revenue phased within the next 1 to 5 years. The development of Discovered Small Fields will not only enhance production but also serve as a testament to ONGC's capability to develop discrete fields efficiently. This initiative is expected to add significant revenue to the organization while contributing to the government's revenue through increased production.
Implementing new projects and applying innovative techniques, coupled with a strategic approach to maximizing recovery from mature fields, will be central to this recovery. Continued investments in development projects are expected to sustain and enhance production across these regions in the future.
MI: How is technology reshaping the skill profiles of ONGC employees in 2024 and beyond?
RS: Technology is significantly reshaping the skill profiles of ONGC employees, or "ONGCians," in 2024 and beyond, primarily through advancements in digital tools, automation, and new energy technologies. Here are some key ways technology is driving this transformation.
Digitization and automation skills: ONGCians are increasingly becoming proficient in digital tools and platforms. This includes the ability to work with advanced data analytics software, digital twins for reservoir modeling, and real-time monitoring systems. The adoption of AI and machine-learning technologies is necessitating the development of skills in these areas. With the centralization of data and the use of advanced data management tools, ONGCians are expected to have strong skills in data integration, data quality control, and real-time data analysis. ONGCians are leveraging these technologies for predictive maintenance, exploration, production optimization, and risk assessment.
Specialized training programs: To support this technological transition, ONGC has established various institutes and training programs focusing on both fundamental and applied research. These include the Institute of Drilling Technology, the Geo-Data Processing and Interpretation Center, and the Institute of Production Engineering and Ocean Technology. These centers offer certified training programs in drilling, well control, seismic data processing, geotechnical and structural engineering, flow assurance, artificial lift, and more.
Focus on renewable and clean energy: ONGC is also expanding its focus to include clean and renewable energy technologies. ONGC Green Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of ONGC was formed in February 2024. The company will engage in the business of value chains of energy business, namely renewable energy (solar, wind, hybrid, hydroelectric, tidal, and geothermal, etc.), biofuels/ biogas, green hydrogen and its derivatives like green ammonia, green methanol, storage, CCUS, and LNG.
Aligned with projections for India's energy requirements, ONGC is preparing to broaden its business scope into sectors such as petrochemicals, solar energy, wind energy, green hydrogen, compressed biogas, and biofuels.
Leadership and management development: Alongside technical skills, ONGC is investing in leadership and management development programs. These programs are designed to prepare employees for senior-level business positions by assessing and developing critical competencies.
By integrating these new technologies and training programs, ONGC is ensuring that its workforce is well-equipped to handle the evolving demands of the energy sector, maintaining its competitive edge in both traditional and new energy markets.
