Digitalisation can ‘amplify’ oil & gas operator bias

Technology can bring huge benefits, but the human aspect of implementation could be the most problematic factor

The digitalisation of oil and gas exploration and production processes often bring huge efficiency gains. But the industry needs to be aware that unconscious bias in implementation can result in major consequences. Unwitting errors in the creation of algorithms—as they result in repeated errors across systems—are more severe than those made by practitioners of analogue processes.  “Some technology can actually see [operations] in real time, so you can quantify what you have and assess what you want to do with it,” says Morag Watson, chief digital innovation officer at BP. “For example, we use a combination of drones, sensors and hyperspectral imagery, so it is very complex. Great algorithms