Oil and gas industry has been undergoing deep technological transformations since the spread of the concept of “digital oil field” during the 1980s. A number of human-only processes began to be carried by artificial intelligence, thus allowing for the rise of intelligent systems created specifically to meet the demands of the sector: optimization of production, improvement of operational safety, environmental protection and discovery of new reserves.
Intelligent systems constitute a broad area of knowledge within artificial intelligence. Today, the oil industry is increasingly influenced by the power of AI at a fast-pace toward industry 4.0.
A few examples we can cite include the application of:
- machine learning to optimize well patterns and production strategies;
- pattern recognition in seismic imaging for delineation of rock formations and salt bodies;
- sensors and WI-FI networks for in-field control and communication;
- smart field and smart well designs;
- remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for surveillance and monitoring of underwater facilities;
- drones for leak detection in pipelines.
At LaMEP, the research line intelligent systems and data science