Moving the Oil, Gas Industry Forward in a Digital Age

While phrases like Big Data, cybersecurity and autonomous workers are being thrown around the oil and gas industry frequently these days, it may be time to decode what these things really mean for the future workforce.

Rigzone caught up with leaders from Lloyd’s Register during the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston to discuss how the industry will have to adapt to account for enhancements in its technology.

“For me, the data itself is what’s the game-changer,” Teril Smith, director of energy operations for Lloyd’s Register, told Rigzone. “There are sensors on everything and the analysis of that data is what’s important and going to change the workforce.”

Smith explained the dichotomy of the industry shifting from a more mechanical worker to a technological worker.

“You need that mechanical worker to pass on the knowledge even though data will fill some of that knowledge gap,” he said. “We can’t change the fact that the oilfield is changing to be more technologically savvy with training available today in virtual reality and autonomous innovation and robotics. So not only is there a need to go from a mechanical person to a digitally capable person, you may go from a mechanical person to a mechanical arm.”

This transition changes the dynamic of the individuals who are leading the industry today.

“Are they capable of leading machines? I think that’s the biggest shift in our industry – to an autonomous and digitally savvy worker,” said Smith. “Then shifting the leadership from leading people to leading machines. Besides data, training is the gap-filler. And how we get there is by being smarter with data, smarter with training and bringing that knowledge and putting it into the worker.”

Worker of the Future

Ricky Eaton, global well intervention manager for Lloyd’s Register, said the company is continuing to hire people to stay ahead of the curve.

“We have the inside track on technologies and are supporting the newer operations being used today,” Eaton said. “Our experts come from the decommissioning and intervention field with 20 years of experience. But just because they have 20 years of experience doesn’t mean they are continuing to evolve.”

Eaton said that Lloyd’s Register does not have a rigid stance when it comes to new technologies and he believes the use of robots in the oilfield shouldn’t worry workers who fear being replaced.

“I think it’s more so robots assisting with critical tasks than replacing workers,” he said. “We already have an iron roughneck and things like that in place to take people out of the more dangerous situations. I don’t see robots replacing workers, but I do see robots stepping in to do the heavy lifting or more critical/dangerous work. Essentially, robots are making for a safer workplace.”

Smith said that historically, the industry hasn’t done a great job of educating the younger generation about the benefits of working in oil and gas. But he’s noted a shift in the right direction the past few years, namely in recruiting practices.