Agenda

COVID-19 has created an unusual business situation and companies must change their way of working. Our industry has undergone rapid digital transformation with various digital solutions to help build the foundation for this new norm of working. Through this exercise, organisations have identified many potential areas of improvement, and yet new challenges continue to disrupt the progress. This session will discuss the following key areas of interest:

• Post COVID-19 recoveries (V–, U–, L– or W–shaped economic recovery)*, and the continuously evolving new norms of working in terms of:
• Cost-effectiveness
• Technical leadership challenges
• Digital and hardware enablers
• Future of work:
• New methods of communication and collaboration
• Operational workflows and integrations
• Vital Information Security (InfoSec):
• Managing remote working security
• Risk mitigation in tightened regulations on data privacy, confidentiality, and residency

*Source Reference: V–, U–, L– or W–shaped economic recovery after Covid-19

There are many ways in which digital technology can support sustainable oil and gas developments both in the near term and in the future. In general, digital technology can be classified as either enabling or supporting technology, and the full benefits of digital technology can only be realised by enabling both of these dimensions.

Enabling digital technology includes, but is not limited to; the emergence of sophisticated environmental, energy, emissions management systems which are supported by emerging data collection, storage, and analytical technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.  An excellent example of enabling digital technologies is the recent emergence of digital twins and cloud computing to ensure an optimal level of performance of oil field equipment, such as compressors and pumps. There are many other emerging areas such as drone operations which collects data on fugitive emissions and intelligent pigging technologies which collects and analyses data related to pipeline integrity, to anticipate and prevent leaks. Supporting technologies take on a more familiar role of enabling automation of sustainability-related workflows, such as data collection and reporting.

Another way to view digital technologies is by examining the role of digital technology in the overall lifecycle of an oil and gas development, with respect to subsurface studies, facilities design and construction, facilities operation, and disposal phases. Here, digital technology supports functional roles such as reservoir and subsurface analysis, drilling and well intervention, facilities engineering, operations, and Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE). This session will explore the diverse roles that digital technology can play in supporting the sustainability objectives of oil and gas companies. 

Digital transformation projects and initiatives have been part of the portfolio of investments in the oil and gas industry for many years. Some companies are pioneers in embracing disruptive Digital Oilfield technologies while others refer to proven and published case studies. As technologies continue to evolve and expand with dramatic speed, companies are adopting more agile methodologies for their projects. The driving objective is to reduce the time of implementing new methods of processing and analysing data, in response to advocating the need to optimise efficiency and costs in field operations. Sharing challenges, experiences, and benefits in Digital Oilfield implementations is a key factor for ensuring the success of digital transformation across the industry.

This session will focus on industry case studies on the integration of digital technologies across the E&P value chain spanning across exploration, drilling, production, operation, engineering, supply chain and other related areas. Potential solutions may include, but are not limited to:

• Advanced Data Science
• Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
• Convergence of Information Technology (IT), Operational Technology (OT) and Engineering Technology (ET)
• Digital Twin
• Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
• Blockchain
• 5G in Oil and Gas
• Computer Vision

Digital transformation (DX)** in oil and gas is the embracing of technology to reshape how companies operate their assets. A digitally enabled and data-centric approach leads to improved productivity, higher efficiency, and increased cost savings. Oil and gas companies had faced formidable challenges to their efficiency, sustainability, and profitability prior to COVID-19 as well. However, as a result of uncertainties in the current global pandemic, product prices have collapsed so severely that the urgency to tackle these issues have increased dramatically. One of the clearest and most viable responses to these systemic challenges is to accelerate digital transformation strategies to enhance resilience and remain attractive to investors.

Digital transformation strategies cannot be effectively implemented without an effective Management of Change (MOC) in organisational culture and capabilities. In the minds of employees, DX poses various uncertainties in terms of employment security.

This session will focus on best practices that have been successfully implemented to effectively manage changes in people, strategy, and culture. It will also throw light on the effects of the pandemic towards human capital and talent management. The session will explore and share impacts of the global energy transition, and how change management and technological applications can help organisations in advancing their business objectives.
 

**Source Reference: Digital Transformation (DX)

Data analytics is the cornerstone of the digital transformation process. It touches many issues related to People, Technology and Processes, and how it affects new business models and value-driven solutions. This session will discuss data analytics technologies and how it could be accessible for everyone.

Presenters will share their strategies, approaches, processes, and lessons learnt, from open-source software, free literature, to a fully customised advanced solution. While we understand that not one size fits all, adaptation and replication of best practices across various industries are what can make our industry thrive, in the current landscape.

This session will discuss and address these challenges and potential solutions:

• Regulatory Framework - Data Security, Data Privacy (i.e., GDPR), Cyber Security, Data Residency, Cloud technology (Public/Private) etc.
• Vendor neutral standards-based ecosystem driving digital analytics
• Tools available for data analytics (machine learning, packages, literature, etc.)
• Advanced Data Analytics (IoT, AI, real-time processing, etc.) with value-driven solutions

As the energy industry advances, the relationship between operators with their contractors and technology partners has shifted from a transactional customer-vendor approach to an evolved partnership that is collaborative and mutually beneficial. Gradually, various ecosystem players are forming strategic alliances for capital project delivery, operations and maintenance, supply chain management, HSE and workforce management. Subsequently, several contractors including oil field service companies have added Digital to their business portfolio. In addition, various technology startups are bringing in new ideas and getting tremendous support from the oil, gas and energy companies. Long-term collaboration and consciously sharing risk can foster innovation, reduce costs, and improve the overall safety, performance, and operability of projects by harnessing the entire ecosystem’s resources and capabilities. 

This session will focus on digital technologies that are bringing disruptions into the energy industry and its ecosystems resulting from successfully implemented strategic alliances. When applying or enabling these technologies, the outcomes will include but are not limited to the following:

• Cost savings through waste elimination and/or cost avoidance
• Maximised revenue generation through production optimisation, monetising resources, and/or increasing throughput
• Maximised value generation through increased collaborations across industries, operational excellence, and elevation of industrial competitiveness
• Improved risk mitigation strategies
• Increased operational efficiency and safety through seamless flow of information across the energy value chain
• Enhanced capabilities and strengthened competitive positioning