In today’s reality, with low oil prices and the COVID-19 demand slump, oil and gas companies have been forced to embrace and integrate technology in their processes more urgently than ever before. While most companies already have adopted some digital technologies, some others still have a long way to go.
“After COVID-19, the pandemic has significantly accelerated the digital transformations underway in the oil and gas industry,” said Noor Alnahhas, CEO of technology startup Nybl. “Oil companies are looking for technology to enable them to become more efficient, do more with less, and be more profitable. O&G companies are typically late adopters of technology, but we’re seeing more interest and appetite to try new technologies.”
nybl is an “AI-ecosystem” entity based out of Khobar, KSA, has developed an artificial intelligence technology that aims to transform business efficiencies and expenditure by combining science-based machine learning, data-behaviour models, digital process simulations to provide solutions in an array of sectors including oil & gas, manufacturing, education, financial services, government services and healthcare, among others.
“Essentially, we wanted to build a company that innovates world-changing technology. We emphasize the word technology because for us – technology is evolutionary. While today that technology is artificial intelligence, in five years it may be something else. As such, we’re focused on delivering solutions that are intuitive and science-led. To date we’ve created unprecedented technology that doesn’t require historical data to function, predict and diagnose,” he said.
Starting with only a team of 7 people in 2019, the company now employs over 25 people in UAE, KSA, and Kuwait. Nybl’s proprietary, science-based machine learning, data-behaviour models, and digital process simulations use technology to predict behaviours and risks.
The machine learning platform turns under-utilised data into actionable intelligence to drive efficiencies and help businesses optimise or automate workflows while providing real-time analytics.
nybl’s oil & gas application, lift.ai, is a real-time failure prediction, efficiency optimisation and production maximisation solution for artificial lift pumps. The app focuses on four different elements of optimisation: failure prevention – using their Failure Prediction Index (FPI), downtime reduction, extending machinery lifecycles, and increasing oil production – all of which they achieve using real time artificial intelligence.
“Artificial Intelligence is still a new player in the oil and gas industry,” Alnahhas added. “The main applications are around production, and health and safety. But, with the acceleration of digital transformations we are witnessing today, many interesting AI applications are emerging for O&G, from safety and operator training, to reservoir engineering and drilling.
According to Alnahhas, the biggest challenge in working with AI in the O&G sector is the lack of historical training data to enable proper machine learning (ML). Almost all data is either confidential, incomplete or not enough to enable proper training of ML models.
This challenge drove Nybl to find an alternative way to deploy AI and ML models, and they’ve now proven, successfully, that we can eliminate the need for historical training data by using science-based artificial intelligence. Not only does this eliminate the need for historical training data, but it also eliminates the bias that comes with the historical training data.
“These two achievements are on the cutting edge, and we’re the first company in the world to have multiple case studies proving it works,” he said.
CN-Shield is the company’s AI security solution, which Alnahhas said provides “oversight of any given physical location and offer pre-emptive security measures to protect an organisation’s critical assets.”
By collecting data from linked security systems, including CCTV feeds, access controls, and sensors, it can process that information to develop “complete situational awareness.”
“It then runs threat-tracking and mitigation measures and, when necessary, initiates automated countermeasures to nullify the threat, all while alerting security personnel,” he said. “In addition, the system provides intelligence on operational enhancement, efficiencies, and failure prediction related to all linked security systems.”
According to Alnahhas, machine learning and data science could be key to steering the industry towards a lower-carbon future by making carbon-emitting process more efficient to eliminate waste.
An innovative, multilingual CEO with over 25 years’ experience leading organizations by providing exceptional business transformation services and cutting-edge solutions. Ability to create and establish robust strategic direction. Trusted advisor to partners in multinational corporations in petroleum and natural gas, chemical manufacturing, power and utility, and water and wastewater treatment industries. Proven leader with the ability to drive strategic short and long-term plans, shifting priorities, and delivering compelling collaboration skills that foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Influential in nature, with excellent presentation and communication skills.
Lane Sloan is a 30-year veteran of the oil and gas industry and comes from a long and distinguished career with Shell Oil. During his tenure, Mr. Sloan was a member of Shell’s senior management, and served at various times as general manager of products for finance, vice president of corporate planning, chief financial officer and VP Business Services, regional coordinator for Far East, director of East Zone Oil Products, and president of Shell Chemical Company.
After leaving Shell, Mr. Sloan joined SAIC, an IT and engineering consultancy headquartered in San Diego, California, as executive vice president in charge of energy activities. He was subsequently named CEO of SAIC’s joint venture with Halliburton in Grand Basin.
Mr. Sloan later became an executive professor at the University of Houston, where he taught leadership, corporate strategy, and energy courses. He also served as executive director of University of Houston’s Global Energy Management Institute. Today, he is a Silver Fox Advisor and president of Sloan Consulting Services, where he mentors entrepreneurial CEOs.
Mr. Sloan has a bachelor’s Degree in Business and a Master’s in Management Science, both from the University of Colorado. He also has a Master’s in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston. He has co-authored Terra Incognita: A Navigation Aid for Energy Leaders and authored Develop a Leadership Plan: Become a Great Leader.
Mohammed was one of the founding members of the Digital Transformation Project Management office at Saudi Aramco, which oversees the key business initiatives under the company’s 4th Industrial Revolution program. A 20-year veteran of the IT industry, Mohammed started as a software developer delivering applications in knowledge management and systems integration. He earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Tulane University and his MBA from Strathclyde University.
Sufyaan has built management systems and environmental monitoring solutions for a variety of industries, including energy and security. He is a certified project manager (PMI) and an active member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI), which supports the advancement of information and communications technology. Sufyaan earned a Bachelor of Engineering in electronics and instrumentation from Birla Institute of Technology & Science and a Master of Science in electrical engineering from George Mason University.
