Take a look at this forecast published in SPE’s Journal of Petroleum Technology discussing engineers needed in the future oil and gas industry. This fits well with the objectives of Drillbotics to help prepare young engineers for the industry.
- Looking forward, I believe there are three trends that engineers should consider: 1) applying “new” tools to solve “old” problems, 2) connecting the dots via hybrid engineering, and 3) organizing, directing, and inserting data predictions into their workflow.
- The future trend for engineers will be the ability to meld disciplines and integrate tools to unlock more resource recovery per unit cost.
- When I asked engineers about the future of the industry, they all mentioned data and AI. To make it actionable I simplify this effect into two skills: data conditioning and predictions. Data conditioning is the skill of using data science packages to gather and characterize data to feed predictions. Predictions are the output of algorithms from simple multi-what if equations to deep learning honing the algorithm based on dynamic situations and previous prediction outcomes.
In closing, I want to reflect on why I first became an engineer. The intersection of solving problems with brilliant and diverse people and global relevance provided the fuel to become an engineer. Looking forward, given the right tools and support, I’m confident our skills will be needed to provide energy to power the world, the challenges will be as rewarding as ever, and the people will make the journey memorable.
