Permian Basin AI use grows in oil and gas operations

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Robert Henkhaus, from left, Akash Sharma, Yogashri Pradhan and Wil Vark discuss how energy companies are using artificial intelligence.

Mella McEwen/Reporter-TelegramNorman Johnson

Artificial intelligence continues to be adopted throughout the oil patch, and companies across the energy spectrum are finding a variety of uses for the technology.

Artificial intelligence was the focus of a panel discussion at the recent Permian Basin Environmental Regulatory Seminar presented by Midland College’s Petroleum Professional Development Center and the Permian Basin Petroleum Association.

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The discussion began with moderator Robert Henkhaus, vice president of product at Enverus, asking where AI is showing up in the industry.

Yogashri Pradhan, founder of Iron Lady Energy Advisors, said she has seen it being used for monitoring geologic features and subsurface fault mapping.

“On the technical side, it’s being used proactively,” she said. AI is used to examine historical data and extrapolate sites that could be seismically sensitive.

Akash Sharma, vice president of product management at Enverus, called AI a means to an end for companies seeking specific outcomes.

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“How do we leverage these tools to meet outcomes?” he asked. AI could be used not just to solve problems but to connect AI-generated data with other data.

University Lands uses AI to maximize outcomes and the efficiency of data, said Wil Vark, business solutions and application development manager. He said the data and documents AI can generate enhance his team’s ability to analyze the information.

AI can extract information from the documents, permits and plats uploaded by operators active on University Lands, allowing analysts to analyze the information rather than enter the data, he said.

Effectiveness starts with understanding the geographic area and connecting data, Sharma said.

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“If I can understand where a fault can…

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