The term artificial intelligence is no longer only related to the introduction of robots and automation in industries, but rather it is something deeper and broader than that. Many countries and companies around the world realize the importance of artificial intelligence in creating new opportunities and improving services, in addition to reducing costs and increasing investments.
In the last decade, the use of artificial intelligence and its applications has increased in the oil and gas industry, especially with regard to exploration and drilling activities. From collecting and analyzing data, from exploration to extraction, to the production, marketing, refining, maintenance and other stages that constitute an important part of this industry.
Artificial intelligence has shown great efficiency in analyzing data related to oil and gas deposits by developing algorithms that focus the efforts of exploration teams and improve extraction processes while reducing environmental impacts.
In recent years, some energy companies, such as BP, have been able, by relying on artificial intelligence to analyze data related to oil extraction from their fields in the North Sea, to increase their production by 15 percent while reducing costs by about 10 percent.
Chevron also succeeded in improving drilling and oil extraction operations through artificial intelligence, which reduced energy consumption by 10 percent and increased production efficiency.
In the field of gas extraction, artificial intelligence, using optical analysis techniques and drones for remote sensing, has contributed to improving extraction operations from wells and increasing the efficiency of operations.
Smart solutions to big problems
Increasing production levels while maintaining high efficiency is one of the most important challenges facing energy companies, so artificial intelligence is being adopted to analyze data quickly and accurately, which increases their profitability and helps them make better operational decisions.
The issue of leaking or blocking pipes is considered one of the important problems in the oil and gas industry, as it causes major damage, and problems related to safety and the environment, so many energy companies today have resorted to artificial intelligence to monitor pipelines, identify problems, and predict when they will occur or how long a particular pipeline will take. Until it needs to be replaced or repaired.
Robots carrying sensors, thermal cameras and microphones are used in inspections, monitoring pressure, valves and gauges, and detecting hot surfaces.
Unlike the human element, these robots can work in harsh weather conditions, including extreme cold, heat, heavy rain, and strong winds, and work is being done to develop them to make autonomous decisions in difficult situations.
With oil production from deep-sea fields expected to rise to 28 percent of global oil and gas production by 2025, the role of artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important in dangerous areas, which require diving to great depths, sometimes reaching five thousand feet.
As for floating platforms, drones equipped with thermal cameras and lasers are used for precise inspection of pipes and platforms, which reduces maintenance costs and production downtime.
In the United States, workers specialized in climbing and inspecting oil platforms and smokestacks have been replaced by drones and robots equipped with high-resolution and clear cameras that can perform 3D imaging, which provides more accurate inspection with greater speed, safety risks, and with lower cost than human efforts.
Weather conditions and climate factors affect the efficient operation of infrastructure for transporting oil and gas, so the artificial intelligence revolution is also benefited from improving shipping schedules, routing tankers, and reducing costs.
To reduce risks and their negative effects on health, the environment, and the economy, machine learning algorithms are used to identify problems, discover trends that may indicate a potential danger, and prevent its occurrence before it occurs, which supports smart crisis management.
Artificial intelligence and energy markets
While some believe that artificial intelligence will increase the supply of oil and gas in global markets, the development of these technologies plays an important role in improving the sustainability of the oil and gas industry by reducing environmental emissions and meeting the transition to sustainable energy sources.
With the development of artificial intelligence and its applications, a number of challenges emerge that stand in the way of achieving the maximum return from this technology.
Some see it as a threat to the future of millions of skilled workers in this industry. However, those who reject this opinion believe that artificial intelligence has created a new market and opportunities that you need to benefit from and train to acquire the skills you need.
The view on the use of artificial intelligence in the oil and gas industry varies between countries according to their need for it or their revenues. Countries like China and India, which are major oil and gas importers with strong technical capabilities, are making significant investments in exploring offshore oil and gas projects using AI. For example, China invested over $20 billion in AI startups in 2022, with a portion of this directed towards energy exploration and development. Similarly, India’s AI market is projected to reach $881 million by 2023, with the government allocating specific funds for AI-driven oil and gas exploration projects. These investments highlight the growing importance of AI in this sector for countries seeking to secure their energy needs and compete in the global market.
Meanwhile, as for North America, due to the presence of giant energy companies, it has the largest share of robots involved in monitoring and inspecting any leakage or defect in the oil and gas industry. However, many tasks still require human expertise and oversight.
The important question
Artificial intelligence has changed the way many energy companies deal with global markets, and has greatly contributed to developing their business and reducing their costs.
With the shift to clean energy sources to preserve the environment, energy companies have found in the Fourth Industrial Revolution represented by digital transformation their goal of finding solutions that enable them to increase production without there being a gap between meeting demand and reducing environmental damage.
