Future Oil & Gas
June 25th - 26th, 2024
Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland
Foreword by ADAM SOROKA
On behalf of the Cavendish Group, we were delighted to welcome delegates to 7th Future Oil and Gas conference and exhibition. It was fantastic to see the oil and energy communities converge on this topic, and we were incredibly honored to have a strong lineup of operators, technology innovators, and associations contributing to the program over the two days.
We want to thank all our key partners and sponsors for their continuous value and support. We received immense feedback from real thought leaders, and 2024 facilitated more collaboration than ever before. We also want to extend our gratitude to the Future Oil and Gas advisory board, who helped shape the theme of the agenda over the previous months, and to everyone who attended.
After hosting our sister event, Future Digital Twin, in Houston two weeks ago, it’s clear that AI is advancing rapidly. As consumers, we feel its impact through accessible applications like ChatGPT. As our event’s tagline suggests, we are undeniably in the era of AI. While misconceptions and social media often amplify unsubstantiated claims about AI’s potential, it’s crucial to focus on its genuine applications.
I hoped everyone that was able to attend Future Oil and Gas truly understands the real value AI could bring and how digital transformation would affect the industry going forward. I stress that any technology will become redundant if user adoption is not prioritized and if everyone is not involved from the journey’s beginning. We could have the most beautiful tools, but if no one wants to use them, the digital journey will end there.
Currently, AI is often seen as a black box that requires trust, yet data can be compromised during its entry into machine learning models. Although Generative AI is in the spotlight, machine-focused training of AI models for business and asset management is vital for critical operations. Ensuring regulatory compliance with AI and technology will pose challenges as we explore how these tools can reduce maintenance burdens and enhance operational efficiency.
Many discussions have centered around data models, yet we must focus on the broader context of digital transformation, driven by technology, open standards, and skills training. The challenge lies in contextualizing and unifying data, creating logical connections between data sources with maximum automation. Success depends on collaboration and fostering shared responsibility across the supply chain to address data ownership hurdles.
In the energy industry, digitalization is complex, data is siloed, and workflows are often misaligned. The real challenge is addressing the loss of experience and developing strategies for seamless knowledge transfer. How can we promote continuous learning and skill acquisition across our workforce?
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Advancing clean technology in the industry continues to pose challenges. Will our future be defined by global solutions from major players or localized solutions driven by technology? As we develop energy hubs, we must consider the benefits of collocation. It’s clear that sustainability is accelerating due to evolving regulatory frameworks, but what actions do governments need to take to turn these visions into reality? How can digital technologies expedite the energy transition, and how can we reach net-zero targets through innovation? A significant topic in the North Sea is converting depleted oil and gas reservoirs into carbon storage. Can CCUS and hydrogen projects scale efficiently in terms of cost?
I am sure everyone that attended this years event had rewarding exchanges, and on behalf of the Cavendish Group, I wish everyone success.
Adam Soroka, CEO of Cavendish Group
Press Release Hundreds of Industry Leaders Convene at Future Oil & Gas Conference in Aberdeen
The Future Oil & Gas conference, themed “The Era of AI,” drew hundreds of industry experts to Aberdeen, Scotland on June 25-26, 2024.
Organised by Cavendish Group International, the seventh instalment of this event was hosted at Robert Gordon University and explored the transformative impact of digitalisation, disruption, and innovation on the upstream oil and gas sector.
The conference brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including operators, service providers, EPCs, energy institutes, drilling companies, exploration firms, integration specialists, academics, and technology innovators.
Attendees delved into the key challenges and opportunities facing the industry, with a focus on leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI, energy transition, cybersecurity, organisational change, the industrial metaverse, and more.
High on the agenda were discussions around the smooth integration of large language models (LLMs) and generative AI, as well as the importance of improved data sharing through collaboration. The growing prominence of digital twins for workflow and work progress management also emerged as a prominent theme.
“It is clear that AI is coming at us fast, and the energy industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by digital innovation,” said Merce Vintro Ricart, Manager of Natural Language Processing and Digital Innovation at Shell.
“These technologies, including AI, are helping us optimise operations, enhance safety, and reduce environmental impact.”
A digital twin is a virtual model of a physical object that spans the object’s lifecycle. It uses real-time data from sensors to simulate the object accurately. Digital twins are digital representations of physical objects, systems, or processes fed with continuous streams of real-time data. This concept is evolving and gaining attention in various industries including Oil & Gas.
“A very exciting trend has been the integration of digital twins, these are virtual replicas of our physical assets, which allow for real time monitoring and predictive maintenance. Although, among all these technologies AI really stands out as a game changer,” she continued.
The conference featured insights from industry leaders such as Zeeshan Rasheed of bp, and Equinor’s Ashild Hanne Larsen, who discussed the importance of embracing AI,
addressing regulatory challenges, and driving diversity and inclusion in the sector’s digital transformation.
Opening the event Adam Soroka, Cavendish Group CEO, greeted the delegates by saying: “It is clear that AI is coming at us fast. We are impacted as consumers to the access and availability of applications like Chat GPT and as our strapline suggests, like it or not we are in the era of AI. Common misconstructions on social media have heightened this but all too often they are making unsubstantiated claims about the value of AI and the possibility of AI applications.”
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and help you go from pattern to action to outcome,” he said.
Speakers agreed that collaboration was vital as it became clearer that despite the accelerated speed of change, there’s still a resistance towards ramping up the application of AI within the workplace. Whether that be cost, trust, loss of personnel, or countless other challenges, many who took to the stage presented their case on why it will be worth people’s time investing in the technology right now.
Haavard Oestensen, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer of Kongsberg Digital, the event’s main sponsor, discussed the benefits of using low-value AI applications to boost performance.
Low-value AI can often drive the highest performance by optimising processes efficiently. Despite its perceived simplicity, low-value AI applications can streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance productivity significantly. This approach focuses on achieving incremental improvements that cumulatively lead to substantial performance gains.
“I really encourage moving towards a high frequency, low value environment where AI can interpret the data patterns
Here’s what some of the other contributors at Future Oil & Gas 2024 in Aberdeen had to say:
ZEESHAN RASHEED,
Procurement Director, Global Engineering, Brownfields Projects & New Energy Start-Up at bp, indicated that people must embrace and trust AI while highlighting why the need for using manual Excel spreadsheets to track a simple task is no longer there.
“That’s the biggest inefficiency that we are observing in today’s world. When I consider my EPC contractors, I ask: How much can you streamline your manual processes using digital tools and systems to eliminate those costs that are no longer sustainable in today’s environment?
“We have to think differently and that’s when the digital transformation and AI makes a big impact. We can’t afford to work as just oil and gas companies or technology companies. We have to work as a single supply chain focusing on a product. We have to change the way that we’ve worked in the past,” he said.
TAOUFIK AIT-ETTAJER,
Subsurface Manager, Technology, E&P, Low Carbon at Repsol highlighted the improvements on developing a cleaner energy value chain and dismissed the notion that we tend to overplay the benefits of a safe hydrogen future.
“There has been a lot of innovation and work done in this area. With AI and all the technologies that we have now, we have a lot of ways to simulate and to see what’s going to happen before really going into tier four and five, then going into six or seven. There has been lots of new technology in the last couple of years and things are moving really fast,” he said.
DR. EDMARY ALTAMIRANDA, Business Transformational Technology and R&D Lead, Controls & Systems Engineering at Aker BP elaborated on how large language models can help drive the digital transformation within the oil and gas industry.
“I think you can use tools like large language models to enhance the machine to human interaction with a digital twin. It helps to find data and information fast but again, we need to qualify the use for the specific application to see the benefits,” she said.
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ASHILD HANNE LARSEN, VP Subsurface, Excellence & Digital at Equinor joined the panel to discuss diversity and inclusion whilst succeeding in change management. She drew attention to the fact there’s still a lack of females driving the digital transformation and articulated what her company is doing to make a difference.
“Equinor feel a strong social responsibility when it comes to diversity and inclusion. Given the fact the technology area and oil and gas have a clear underrepresentation of women, we have to address that and we have to address that early,” she insisted.
Driving the Momentum
in Oil & Gas
450+ registered attendees
150 organisations (25 countries represented) 96%
sponsors/exhibitors
Key TAKEAWAYS
Your existing workforce remains the key to success
Despite the rise of AI, human expertise, experience, and problem-solving skills remain essential for navigating complex energy systems, maintaining infrastructure, and ensuring a smooth transition to new technologies. Integrating AI and human talent can optimise operations, foster innovation, and build a resilient, futureready energy workforce.
“Let’s not forget that behind any artificial intelligence and digital transformation, there is a human brain at work. We have to recognise the significance and importance of the contribution of human
capital,” Zeeshan Rasheed, Procurement Director, Global Engineering, Brownfield Projects & New Energy Start-Up at bp said.
Implementing a rapid and smooth digital transformation across the energy industry requires skilled, experienced personnel, not just new technology.
“This requires people to stay around. People with typically 10-25 years of experience because they have seen the practical sides of the industry in their career, and they know the practical scenarios. They know how to make things work,” Rasheed said.
Collaboration is vital
Collaboration is crucial for AI to thrive in the energy industry. It allows professionals, providers and innovators to combine their domain expertise, technological capabilities and forward-thinking to develop practical AI solutions. By working together, they can overcome challenges, adapt to industry changes, and drive sustainable progress. Oil and gas companies are partnering with technology firms and startups to accelerate AI innovation.
Matt Lee, Chief Delivery Officer at Amdaris, said: “You have to drive collaboration, make sure everyone within the business is really engaged in what you are trying to do.”
Generative AI has a crucial role in the
energy transition
Generative AI is helping to accelerate the drive towards a more sustainable future. It is helping optimise renewable energy systems, forecast energy demand, and streamline grid management. By analysing vast amounts of data, generative AI models can identify patterns, simulate scenarios, and recommend optimal solutions to improve the efficiency and reliability of renewable energy infrastructure. Merce Vintro Ricart, Manager Natural Language Processing, Digital Innovation at Shell said integrating renewable energy into existing infrastructure was a complex challenge, but a highly beneficial one.
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“AI can help in optimising the means of combining traditional and renewable energy sources. Just imagine an AI-generated model that can predict the best ways to integrate solar, wind and geothermal into our existing breeds,”she said. “It is about paving the way for a sustainable and innovative future.”
Those yet to embrace AI need to do so
Companies that embrace AI will gain a competitive edge by increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and responding more effectively to market changes. Failing to adopt AI could leave energy firms lagging behind more tech-savvy competitors.
“It’s got to a point where you need to be involved, because if you’re not, then you are going to miss out,” Steve Higgon, CEO of TAAP, told attendees.
“Organisations should be exploring and experimenting with AI. There’s no point waiting because you learn a lot from any pain you experience – through that, you understand the mistakes that you don’t want to make again,” he said.
Coordinated action is needed for an equitable energy transition
The transition to a low-carbon economy is a critical global challenge that requires coordinated action across governments, businesses, and individuals to enable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, increased use of renewable energy, and implementation of energy-efficient technologies. It also requires support for affected workers and communities, as well as consideration of changes in consumer behaviour.
The goal should be to achieve a sustainable, lowemission economy that mitigates the risks of climate change, while promoting economic growth and social equity, speakers said.
Governments and regulators are seen as having a vital role in achieving this, by providing incentives and policies to support the transition, given businesses may lack the resources to adapt quickly enough on their own.
Organisations need to become more diverse and inclusive
The energy industry is still predominantly run by men, but times are changing, as organisations take steps to provide an inclusive and diverse workplace.
Annemart Kroeze, IT Management, Commercial Operations at Shell noted the efforts her company was making to become more inclusive.
“We organise a yearly ‘Women in IT’ event where we bring women together in each of the hubs that we have in four locations; Houston, London, The Netherlands and Bangalore, so women can get to know each other across the different businesses. Just the feeling of community we see as a tremendous help,” she said.
Security concerns are still prevalent
The threat landscape has evolved, with AI-powered social engineering techniques, security service edge, zero-trust architecture and large language models posing new challenges. Organisations must adapt promptly by analysing deep fakes, creating modular security, focusing on zero-trust, and ensuring protection against AI-driven threats to safeguard their systems and reputation, the conference heard.
Future Oil & Gas
TESTIMONIALS
The Future of Oil and Gas 2024 event held in Aberdeen was a great success, fostering insightful discussions about digital innovation and the energy transition. The sessions offered a comprehensive view of emerging technologies and sustainable practices set to shape the future of oil and gas. For me, the collaborative atmosphere and networking opportunities provided a valuable platform for industry professionals and newcomers to connect and exchange ideas.
GLENN SONDAK Shell
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This event is truly on the top 3 events I’ve been to in the past years. Topic wise very relevant and it attracted the right audience. Operators who are about to implement AI or are in the early stage of using it, but also companies offering the latest technical advancements with AI. Future being represented by AI in pure old fashioned oil and gas business but also the CCS and becoming Carbon neutral.
I truly enjoyed talking to all the people joining this event, somehow “Future Oil & Gas 2024” managed to attracted the best mix of people: Professional, smart but sometimes equally important, fun people, which made the network event afterwards a blast.
MAX DE GROOT
Wintershallde
The depth and breadth of expertise and insight from fossil fuel veterans, tech wizards, and renewables explorers was impressive. It made for an engaging and informative event, exploring the impact of AI on transforming our industry and recognizing the opportunities to really break down the challenges of Net Zero and the energy transition into rewarding, effective and manageable actions.
JULIA BENBOW OMV
Future Oil and Gas nailed this year’s theme, “The Era of AI,” with panel discussions providing deep insights into AI integration in the energy sector. Enjoyed some great, thought-provoking conversations with delegates on day two about the sustainable advancement of energy transition efforts within the industry.
SKANDAR GANDI Weatherford
Advisory Board & Speakers
ADVISORY BOARD
Martin R. Gonzalez, PhD, Innovation & Technology Principal, bp
Rolf Einar Saeter, Global Digital Twin Innovation Lead, Shell
Ashraf Wardeh, IT Director, DAC Digital Program, Oxy
Zeeshan Rasheed, Procurement Director, Global Engineering, Brownfields Projects & New Energy Start-Up, bp
Seth Taylor, Smart Facilities Manager, Chevron
OPENING KEYNOTE
Hari Ramani, General Manager, Digital Innovation, P & T Technology, Shell
Glen Milne, Production Systems Manager, Spirit Energy
Abdullah Al Halafi, Network and Systems Specialist, Digital Twin, Saudi Aramco
Shane McArdle, CEO, Kongsberg Digital
Merce Vintro Ricart, Manager Natural Language Processing, Digital Innovation, Shell
SPEAKERS INCLUDED
Ashild Hanne Larsen, VP Subsurface, Excellence & Digital, Equinor
Tony Hunter, 3D Visualisation & Information Consultant, Technical Product Owner, bp
Taoufik Ait-Ettajer, Subsurface Manager, Technology, E & P, Low Carbon, Repsol
Glenn Sondak, Digitalisation Lead, LNG Portfolio, (AME), Shell
Zeeshan Rasheed, Procurement Director, Global Engineering, Brownfields Projects & New Energy Start-Up, bp
Dennis Burgler, OSDU Deployment Manager, Shell
Annemart Kroeze, IT Management, Commercial Operations, Shell
Dr.Edmary Altamiranda , Business Transformational Technology & R and D Lead, Controls & Systems Engineering Aker BP
Jan Tore Nygard, Manager People & Organisation, Equinor
Einar Landre, Lead Analyst IT, OSDU Focal Point, Equinor
Glen Milne, Production Systems Manager, Spirit Energy
Ragnar Alstad, Senior Enterprise Architect, Aker BP
Sara Amar, Head of AI, VP, Digital & Technology, Aker Solutions
Julia Benbow, Digital Innovation, Fuels & Feedstock, OMV
Euan Kennedy, Business Integration Manager, North Sea, bp
Joanna Jedrys, Innovation Manager, Wintershall Dea
Max de Groot, OSDU Subsurface Reference Architect, Wintershall Dea
Rei Yasumuro, Global Head of Digital & Analytics, MODEC
Nicholas Wills, Business Development Manager, MODEC
David Fisher-Holt, ICS-OT Engineer, Controls & Cyber Security, Repsol Sinopec
Christopher Banks, Principal New Energy & Geoscience Consultant, SLB
Ram Nutakki, Digital Transformation Manager, INEOS
Graeme Booth, Head of Digital Technology, Net Zero Technology Centre
Gary Hickin, Business Development Director, Digital Strategy & Commercialisation, NOV
Haavard Oestensen, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer, Kongsberg Digital
Arthur Close, Strategic Business Development, Schneider Electric
Skandar Gandi, Global Segment Lead, CCS, Weatherford
Matt Lee, Chief Delivery Officer, Amdaris
Michael Stranau, Business Development & Sales, Zybersafe
John Tillema, Founder & CTO, TWTG
Lee Wylde, MBE, Founder & CEO, Disruptive Industries
Bart de Groot, Director Competence Centre, Sustainability, Siemens
Esther Diederen, Director, Baringa
Tandon Oberoi, Director, Energy & Resources, Baringa
Dr Javier Rodriguez, Director, Upstream Production, Siemens
Simon Bennett, CTO, Private Cloud, Rackspace
Lars Meloe, Principal Consultant, Digital Trust, DNV
Elizabeth Henshaw, Manager, Analyst, Baringa
Graham Faiz, Head of Digital Energy, DNV
Steve Higgon, CEO, TAAP
James Steven, Business Development & Growth Manager, DNV
Kris Atkinson, Customer Success Manager, EMEA & APAC, Cintoo
Gemma Pitt, Senior Energy Development Consultant, Xodus
Thank You to Our Sponsors
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Exhibitors
