Aker BP collaborates with Microsoft, SLB and Halliburton to streamline data sharing

Last week, Microsoft announced the strategic partnership that Aker BP, SLB and Halliburton are part of. This collaboration aims to develop Data Mesh, an innovative solution designed to revolutionize the efficiency and data availability for energy companies.

In today’s practice, field development involves a complex process where data from approximately 150 different applications must be collected manually, often using tools such as PowerPoint and Excel sheets, before decisions can be made at Decision Gates (DG). The time-consuming manual process of moving data between these applications is one of the main reasons why field development takes such a long time.

The purpose of the collaboration between Aker BP, Microsoft, SLB and Halliburton is to solve one of the industry’s biggest challenges. “Data Mesh,” the framework on top of Microsoft Azure Data Manager for Energy, will play a key role in solving this challenge. This framework provides the ability to maintain full visibility into the use of data, including its sources and assumptions, allowing for a more transparent and traceable decision-making process. This will significantly simplify and reduce the complexity and time efficiency associated with implementing changes.

Data Mesh can be described as an overarching layer that effectively connects all the data sets. This allows seamless access to data from various sources, including SLB, Halliburton and the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, via a single tool. The remarkable adaptability of the tool also enables easy integration of other datasets from future partners. This initiative will help transform the way data is shared and used in the industry, providing a solid foundation for future innovations and partnerships.

An important part of the process to become data-driven

In order to position ourselves as the leading company in exploration and production, it is necessary to continuously improve our operations. This often involves automating manual processes and basing our decisions on thorough analysis of data. Our collaboration related to Data Mesh represents a decisive step towards increased efficiency in the development and planning process for oil and gas fields.

Data Mesh lays the foundation for a more data-driven approach to field development. It frees up valuable resources previously spent on manual tasks and gives us the opportunity to channel those resources towards more critical aspects of the planning process. This initiative helps us to work more intelligently and strategically and gives us the opportunity to focus more on the core aspects that drive our success in field development.

– With Azure Data Manager for Energy and Data Mesh, we have seen efficiency increase across the board. It is a testament to the power of combining traditional industry knowledge with cutting-edge tech, says Paula Doyle, Chief Digital Officer at Aker BP.

Data Mesh also means that you have a continuous and up-to-date overview of where the data set is taken from, and how robust the data is. This helps to make faster decisions and reduce risk.

– When we now get continuously updated insight, and can improve operational efficiency, we will also move away from traditional data handling and consider data as a valuable product in itself. This represents a transition from passive to proactive data management. Data Mesh will take Aker BP a big step towards becoming data-driven, says Arnfinn Grøtte, Domain Manager Digitalisation D&W.

Building a larger data delivery ecosystem

Now that a digital platform is being established that is part of a larger digital ecosystem together with Microsoft, we can look at how we can automate more of the manual work we do today. It is measures like this that enable us at Aker BP to make faster decisions and have better control over risk. This will be incredibly important when we have to deliver the huge portfolio of projects in the coming years.