From 30 days to 1: Chevron’s cloud migration ROI in real numbers

Chevron, a 150-year-old energy powerhouse, is embracing artificial intelligence (AI) to reshape how it interacts with vast data sets in the quest for oil. Operating deep in the Gulf, Chevron is drilling into reservoirs that hold uncertain potential. To manage the enormous amounts of critical data generated, the company is leveraging cloud technology to process insights that not only steer drilling decisions but also prioritize safety and environmental sustainability. Steve Bowman, General Manager for Enterprise AI at Chevron, emphasized the role of data as a catalyst for AI applications during his presentation at VB Transform. He highlighted a significant partnership formed in 2019 with Microsoft and SLB, known as the ‘Triple Crown’ project, aimed at standardizing and modernizing Chevron's cloud-based tools. The collaboration has led to the development of Azure-native applications integrated into SLB’s DELFI cognitive exploration platform, which aids Chevron in visualizing and interpreting data from diverse sources pertaining to exploration and production. With operations spanning 180 countries and a workforce in the thousands, Chevron is inundated with data. Bowman pointed out that while existing systems are robust, much of the unstructured data was scattered across various platforms. The company's desire to harness this data has led to the development of sophisticated algorithms that are now being scaled up for cloud processing. This shift allows Chevron to analyze larger geographic areas, enhancing exploration capabilities significantly. The partnership has produced three key products: FDPlan, Drill Plan, and Drill Ops. FDPlan utilizes high-performance computing to integrate subsurface models, allowing for quicker and more informed decision-making in complex drilling environments. For example, in the Gulf, FDPlan helps evaluate various development strategies for reservoirs, ensuring teams can concentrate on the most effective options. Drill Plan assists engineers in creating drilling strategies, while Drill Ops supports the teams executing the drilling. Before these tools, Chevron's subsurface employees often spent up to 75% of their time searching for data. However, there is now a noticeable reduction in this time, enhancing the speed of insights significantly. Notably, Drill Plan has expedited the deepwater well planning process by 30 days, showcasing its effectiveness in operational efficiency. Bowman described the migration to cloud computing as a substantial advancement in Chevron's modernization journey. His team is prioritizing modular design in AI integration, initially focusing on simple search capabilities that evolved as user engagement increased. New features, like a retrieval agent and an orchestrator agent, have been added to streamline workflows based on user demand. Another innovative tool, ‘Chevron Assist,’ serves as a chat interface for navigating health, safety, and environmental standards, simplifying how employees access critical information. Bowman noted that this integration has significantly altered operational workflows, emphasizing a user-centric approach to problem-solving. As Chevron rolls out its advanced tools, the team is committed to avoiding prolonged pilot phases, focusing instead on quickly deploying viable use cases that contribute directly to the company's bottom line. Bowman stressed the importance of building trust in new systems, as user acceptance is crucial for successful implementation. "If users do not trust the tools, full deployment will never be realized," he concluded.