Data & Digitalisation Blog 1: The Future of Geological Consultancy, Embracing Digital Transformation

Welcome to the Series!

Welcome to our blog series! Here we explore the rapidly evolving landscape of geological consultancies, particularly within the energy and carbon capture and storage (CCS) sectors. As these industries increasingly embrace digital technologies, it is imperative for geological consultancies to adapt and innovate to remain competitive.

In this series, we will delve into the “what,” “why,” and “how” of digital transformation, focussing on the adoption of advanced tools, data science, and other technologies to enhance service delivery and position consultancies for the future.

Where Are We Now?

The energy industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by factors such as digitalisation, automation, and data analytics. Clients are increasingly demanding innovative solutions that leverage high-quality data to provide deeper insights. Traditional methods of geological consultancy are becoming outdated as projects grow in complexity, data requirements soar, and timelines shrink.

Additionally, the global push for sustainability and alternative energy sources necessitates new approaches.

The Importance of Digital Transformation

Digital transformation is not merely a buzzword; it is a fundamental shift in how consultancies operate to meet the demands of tech-savvy clients and the evolving energy landscape. By embracing digital technologies, consultancies can:

• Boosting Efficiency: Digital tools can automate routine tasks and streamline workflows, freeing up our geologists to focus on what really matters: delivering top-quality insights and solutions.
• Improving Accuracy: With advanced software and data analytics, we can handle larger datasets with precision, leading to more reliable interpretations and better decision-making.
• Enhancing Collaboration: Digital platforms make it easier for teams to work together, even if they’re spread across the globe, and keep clients in the loop with real-time updates.
• Helping to align with the Energy Transition: As the world moves towards greener energy, we need to adapt. Digitalisation can help us better understand subsurface conditions for renewable projects, optimise resource management, and reduce our carbon footprint.

By embracing digital transformation, we’re not just future-proofing our consultancy. We’re positioning ourselves as leaders in an evolving industry.

Key Concepts: What Are We Talking About?

• Digitalisation: Think of this as taking all the things we do now — data collection, analysis, reporting, operation controls — and doing them better, faster, and smarter using digital tools. This could mean anything from adopting cloud-based platforms to integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and scanning tech.
• Data Science: Data is one of the most important assets to geological consultancy companies, and their clients. Data science involves using advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI to pull valuable insights from the vast quantities of high quality data we collect. Imagine predicting subsurface characteristics or reservoir architecture and characteristics more accurately — that’s the power of data science.
• Future-Proofing: All of this, will better prepare us for whatever comes next. It’s not just about the tools; it’s about building a culture of innovation and agility, so we can quickly adapt to new client needs, regulations, or market conditions.

Wrapping Up: Get Ready for the Journey

Digital transformation is no longer just a “nice to have” — it’s a must for all geological consultancies looking to stay relevant and competitive. In the coming posts, we’ll explore how we are getting started, what tools we are considering, and how to make the most of data science to keep our consultancy ahead of the curve and aligned with the energy transition.

Blog series brought to you by Our Digital and Data Team (part of the New Ventures department)

Mark Weldon – New Ventures Director

Mark Weldon is a geoscientist with over 30 years of experience in the energy sector. Having co-founded and helped grow PetroStrat into a leading consulting firm, Mark has a proven track record of applying geological and stratigraphic expertise to complex subsurface challenges. Currently focused on the energy transition, Mark is dedicated to leveraging PetroStrat’s world-leading geoscience expertise to drive a sustainable future.