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Australian Energy Producers Journal Australian Energy Producers Journal Society
Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)

Woodside Energy Ltd: pioneer in cognitive computing, artificial intelligence and robotics

Russell Potapinski

Presented by Shelley Kalms

+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

Cognitive Science and Robotics, Woodside Energy Ltd, Woodside Plaza, 240 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia. Email: Russell.Potapinski@woodside.com.au

The APPEA Journal 57(2) 523-525 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ16142
Accepted: 31 March 2017   Published: 29 May 2017

Abstract

Cognitive computing is a new disruptive technology with the potential to reshape the oil and gas industry across the entire value chain. For Woodside Energy Ltd (Woodside), embracing this technology is an opportunity to save time, drive efficiency and reduce costs. In 2015, Woodside collaborated with IBM and deployed a cognitive computing system (IBM’s Watson) into its business. The system focuses on capturing the vast proprietary database of knowledge on Woodside’s major capital projects. Today, the Watson proof-of-concept has been successfully deployed by the science function into the business and is now under the care of the projects function. Moreover, it is undergoing continuous advances through further machine learning, additional ingestion of documentation and features linking the cognitive computer system with existing subject matter experts. Given the success of the first pilot program, Woodside is continuing to rapidly leverage cognitive technologies in other areas of the business. In mid-2016, Woodside deployed Watson for drilling events using IBM’s Watson Explorer – Advanced Addition. This program identifies and classifies a wide variety of geological drilling events allowing Woodside’s geoscience team to provide more timely and accurate assessment of potential risks for well design. Woodside continues to develop several other business solutions using these platforms in areas as diverse as continuous improvement, business management, maintenance campaigns, legal advice, general management and robotics.

This presentation shares Woodside’s lessons and insights derived from its journey across multiple forms of cognitive technology and provides insights as to the state-of-the-art and adaptation of these systems to achieve specific goals.

Keywords: avatar, capital projects, data, drilling, geohazards, innovation, natural language processing, unstructured.

Russell Potapinski leads Woodside's work in Cogitative Computing and Robotics and is responsible for leading the vision and implementation of these new technologies throughout the business. Russ has more than 20 years industry experience. He joined Woodside in 1998 and has held a variety of roles in areas, including engineering, mergers and acquisitions, corporate strategy, culture change and business leadership.