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Learn MoreDigital Oil and Gas
Digital Oil and Gas
How Digital Technologies Will Impact the Oil and Gas Industry
Highest Rated
Created byGeoffrey Cann
Last updated 5/2025
English
What you'll learn
- Definitions of digital terminology
- Leading digital technologies impacting oil and gas
- Pace and nature of impacts of digital technologies on oil and gas
- Management challenges of adopting digital innovations in oil and gas
Explore related topics
Course content
13 sections • 85 lectures • 8h 4m total length
- Welcome to Digital Oil and Gas6:00
Welcome to Digital Oil And Gas. A personal greeting from your instructor Geoffrey Cann
Additional resources include:
Blog article -> The Brave New World of Digital in Oil and Gas.
I wrote this article in August 2016 to kick start my book and this course.
Blog article -> 5 Clever Digital Technologies for Oil and Gas
This article dates back to October 2016, and was my first exploration of the leading technologies that would eventually impact oil and gas.
- Introduction1:30
In this video we introduce the learning goals for section 1:
a working definition of digital,
the two laws of digital (exponential growth and network value),
capital markets and digital, and
insights from early adopters
If you need an overview of the oil and gas industry, consider taking Section 12, Oil and Gas 101 for a brief introduction.
- Working definition of digital14:12
This lecture presents a working definition of digital:
IEA definition
data
analytics
connectivity
Additional Resources:
Blog: Digitalisation of Energy: A European View
This article describes the work of the International Energy Agency (IEA) to understand how digital could impact the energy industry, including oil and gas, power, and renewables.
- Digital or Not Digital?
- Two Laws of Digital5:26
This lecture describes two laws that govern digital
Moore's Law and
Metcalfe's Law
- Metcalfe's Law in action
- Capital Markets and Valuation5:13
This lecture explains how digital company valuations have changed since 2002 and are now outstripping all other sectors
- Case Assignment -- SWOT Analysis
- Case Assignment -- SWOT Analysis V2 (effective May 2, 2025)
- Critical Insights from Early Adopters9:03
This lecture discusses how early adopters add insight into the concepts of company ecosystems, cyber concerns and reacting to new business models .
Below is a blog article which looks at the current situation in oil and gas, and makes a case for digital ecosystems.
- Identifying New Business Models
- Recap of Learning Goals1:16
This is a short summary of Section 1
- Reference Works1:05
Special offer just for Udemy: 25% off the regular on-line retail price for the books on which this course is based:
Bits, Bytes, and Barrels: The Digital Transformation of Oil and Gas, and
Carbon, Capital, and the Cloud: A Playbook for Digital Oil and Gas
- Learning Goals1:17
This lecture outlines the learning goals for this section.
If you need an overview of the oil and gas industry, consider taking Section 12, Oil and Gas 101 for a brief introduction.
- The Digital Framework Overview2:28
This lecture gives a brief overview of the entire digital framework and it's components
The article below is a more detailed overview of the framework, and how it can apply to oil and gas.
- How Data, IOT, AI and Robotics fit in the Framework11:55
This lecture describes the components:
Data
IOT
AI
Robotics
- Data, IOT, AI, and Robots
- More Framework Components Cloud, Blockchainand ERP11:18
This lecture describes the framework components:
Cloud computing
Blockchain
ERP
- Exploring Cloud computing, Blockchain and ERP
- Talent issues in the Digital Framework5:13
This lecture discusses the talent issues in the framework such as:
Agile+User experience
People+ Change Management
Below is an article and a podcast which detail how digital can be thwarted in a business, particularly people-based causes.
- Framework recap and combining technologies6:01
This lecture summarizes all the components that make up the Digital Framework.
- Elements of the framework
- Recap Learning Goals0:35
This is a review of the learning goals for this section
- Digital Opportunity Mapping
- Digital Opportunity Mapping V2 (effective May 2, 2025)
- Learning Goals in Understanding the core of digital0:49
This lecture sets out the learning goals For this section: understanding digital’s core of data, IoT, AI and bots.
If you need an overview of the oil and gas industry, consider taking Section 12, Oil and Gas 101 for a brief introduction.
- All about Data7:55
This lecture describes data role in the digital framework. This includes:
the life blood of digital
Oil and gas is data rich
Upstream invented big data
Subsurface datasets, or seismic data, are bought and sold
Market for data, companies selling data and
so much more.
The resource below looks at the Open Data movement, and how data transparency will impact the industry.
- All about the IoT7:06
The Internet of things (IoT) is defined in this lecture. It's features, uses and issues and challenges are also discussed.
The resource below is an article which goes into deeper detail on IoT in oil and gas.
The interview is with Dave Shook of ShookIoT, where we look at not just sensors themselves, but how to manage all the data they generate.
- Data and IoT quiz
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) part 112:51
Artificial intelligence (AI) is defined in this lecture. It's feature,uses, and value are also discussed.
The blog article and podcast below both look at the benefits of AI and how it will impact oil and gas.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) part 313:18
In this lecture, we look at how AI actually works, along with the implementation considerations.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) part 210:02
In this lecture, we offer a definition of AI and related technologies, such as machine learning. We present the extensive history of AI and some of the major milestones in its development as a technology.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) part 49:38
In this lecture we highlight several specific use cases of AI and machine learning in oil and gas.
- Robotics (Bots)5:52
Robotics (bots) are defined in this lecture. It's features, uses and value are also discussed.
The interview below is with Travis Schindler of SkyX, an aerial drone company. The podcast also looks at drones, and their use-cases in oil and gas.
- AI and Bots quiz
- Digital Opportunity Analysis Part 1
- Digital Opportunity Analysis Part 1 V2 (effective May 2 2025)
- Recapping Data, Iot, AI and Bots1:12
This lecture recaps the components of digital’s core of data, IoT, AI and bots
- Learning Goals0:54
The learning goals of understanding the foundational digital technologies (cloud computing, blockchain, and ERP) is discussed in this lecture.
- Cloud Computing9:34
Cloud computing is defined in this lecture. It's features, uses and values are also discussed.
The resource below is an article based on my observations while on a visit to Kuwait, and how the Middle East is viewing cloud for their Oil and Gas companies.The interview below is with Shawn Martens of Ironsight. Ironsight leverages cloud to make an Uber-like platform for oilfield services.
- Blockchain in Oil and Gas14:28
Blockchain is defined in this lecture. It's features, uses and values are also discussed.
Below is an interview with Nish Kotecha of Finboot. Finboot is a blockchain company from the UK and Spain.
The blog article looks at different developments in Blockchain by the close of 2019.
- NFTs and Oil and Gas12:46
Non fungible tokens or NFTs are rising in prominence and they have an impact on the oil and gas industry. This lecture describes the difference between fungible and non fungible assets, real and digital assets, provides examples of token assets, and how NFTs will play out in the future metaverse.
- Blockchain and Cloud Computing Quiz
- ERP in Oil and Gas8:33
ERP is defined in this lecture. It's features and values are also discussed
Below I have an article and podcast that looks at ERP in the oil and gas world, as further reading.
- ERP Quiz
- Recapping Cloud Computing, Blockchain and ERP1:15
This lecture recaps what you should understand about digital’s foundational technologies — cloud computing, blockchain and ERP.
- Digital Opportunity Analysis Part 2
- Digital Opportunity Analysis Part 2 V2 (effective May 2, 2025)
- Learning Goals1:13
The learning goals of this section are outlined in this lecture. The impacts of three emerging technologies — gamification, 3D printing, and Digital Reality are discussed.
- Gamification6:34
This lecture focuses on the technology Gamification. It's features, uses and values are also discussed
The podcast below looks at the potential for gamification to change the oil and gas industry, especially with training and asset optimization.
- 3D Printing5:24
This lecture focuses on the technology 3D printing. It's features, uses and values are also discussed.
The podcast and article below look at the ways that 3-D printing can disrupt the oil and gas industry.
- Gamefication and 3D Quiz
- Digital Reality6:31
This lecture focuses on the technology Digital Reality. It's out of industry uses and use cases are also discussed
- Recapping Emerging Technologies1:01
This lecture recaps what you should understand about digital’s emerging technologies — gamification, 3D printing and digital reality.
- Learning Goals1:05
This section provides a framework for understanding the maturity and impact of different digital technologies on the oil and gas industry.
If you need an overview of the oil and gas industry, consider taking Section 12, Oil and Gas 101 for a brief introduction.
- The Maturity Model and Oil and Gas0:59
This lecture outlines the concepts of maturity and level of impact each technology can have on the oil and gas industry.
The article below looks at pilot projects and how to advance them to full deployment. The maturity model will help identify which projects may need advancing, and which ones will take more time.
- Applying the Digital Maturity Framework3:56
The Digital Maturity Framework consists of a vertical axis, or impact, and a horizontal axis or maturity. In this lecture we discuss the various factors that drive both impact and maturity of technologies in industry. For example, the age of a technology is often an indicator for maturity -- newer technologies often lack the maturity required for successful deployment in the unforgiving industrial setting.
- High Impact, High Maturity3:04
This lecture describes Cloud Computing and ERP technologies as having high maturity and high impact on the oil and gas industry.
- Medium Impact, High Maturity3:41
Medium impact and high maturity technologies such as gameification and digital reality are discussed in this lecture
- Maturity Model True or False
- High impact, Medium maturity5:29
The IOT and robotics are categorized medium impact and medium maturity technologies.
The article attached to this lecture discusses the current lack of trust in machines, an explanation for the low level of maturity in robots and AI.
- High impact, Low maturity2:07
Blockchain is discussed as a high impact and low maturity technology.
The article attached to this lecture looks at existing, real-world solutions and applications of blockchain in oil and gas, showing the early maturity but high impact of the technology.
- Low impact, Low maturity2:30
3D printing is used as an example of a low impact and low maturity technology.
- More True and False about the Maturity Model
- Recap lecture1:01
A framework for understanding the maturity and impact of different digital technologies was provided in this section.
- Digital Maturity Adjustment
- Digital Maturity Adjustment v2 (effective May 2 2025)
- Learning Goals0:53
learning goal: To understand the timing and impacts of digital on the segments of the oil and gas value chain.
If you need an overview of the oil and gas industry, consider taking Section 12, Oil and Gas 101 for a brief introduction.
- Timing and Fuse8:56
This lecture discusses the timing and impact matrix (fuse and bang).
- Applying the framework to the value chain10:55
The framework is applied to the value chain. This includes technology providers, services companies, retailers, exploration and production companies and midstream companies.
- Pace of change
- Recapping Fuse and Bang0:33
The importance of understanding the timing and impacts of digital on the segments of the oil and gas value chain is summarized.
- Learning goals1:01
This lecture defines upstream oil and gas and some of the orthodoxies that apply to this sector of the industry.
- What is Upstream7:03
Key elements of the upstream sector are discussed in this lecture.
- Key Business Issues6:14
Key business issues such as Improving yields of unconventional wells and water management and compliance are discussed in this lecture.
The interview below is with Dusty Sonnier of McCoy Global, a technology company that services upstream oil and gas.
- Orthodoxies4:48
This lecture discusses the current orthodoxies of the Upstream sector in oil and gas
The article below addresses Orthodoxies across the oil and gas value chain, and which may be disrupted by digital technologies. The podcast looks at orthodoxies in the industry that might be subject to change due to the 2020 pandemic crisis.
- Orthodoxies True or False
- Digital Impacts4:31
Key technologies and their impacts are discussed in this lecture in relation to the Upstream sector
- Business Model Impacts3:58
This lecture discusses the impact of technologies could have on Upstream oil and gas.
- Which is better?
- Recap of Section 80:50
This lecture provides a recap of the section:
what is the upstream?
Some of the orthodoxies of the upstream.
Upstream’s key digital technologies.
Potential new business models
- Digital Orthodoxies
- Digital Orthodoxies V2 (effective May 2, 2025)
- Learning Goals0:51
This lecture describes Midstream oil and gas and outlines the digital issues.
- What is the midstream8:21
The key elements of the midstream oil and gas are discussed in this lecture.
- Key business issues3:34
The key business issues of Midstream oil and gas such as optimizing use of assets over their full life, energy management (takes energy to make energy) and managing through turnarounds and shutdowns are discussed.
- Ease of adoption of digital in Midstream oil and gas
- Orthodoxies of Midstream Oil and Gas2:07
This lecture discusses the main orthodoxies that apply to Midstream Oil and Gas. These orthodoxies would include:
take or pay contracting
Routine repeatable work still best done by humans
complex network assets cannot be modeled
Tracking of cargos
- Digital Impacts2:53
Various digital technologies can be applied to Midstream oil and gas. Their impacts are discussed in this lecture.
The article below addresses the different digital innovations in the pipeline sector. The podcast also examines the different innovations in the pipeline sector.
- Business Model Impacts2:33
This lecture discusses how digital technologies can impact the business model in Midstream oil and gas.
- Using Digital Twins
- Recapping Midstream Oil and Gas0:46
This lecture summarizes what we have learned about digital’s impact on the midstream oil and gas,
- Learning Goals0:52
This lecture introduces digital’s impact on the downstream oil and gas industry
- What is downstream oil?7:58
Key elements of the downstream for oil are discussed in this lecture. These include:
pipelines, ships, trucking and rail for moving petroleum products
Card lock sites
Petroleum storage, tank farms
Fuel delivery to retail sites, construction sites, airports, marinas, ports, bunkering
- What is downstream gas?2:14
This lecture discusses the various elements of downstream gas such as:
Gas distribution utilities
Shipping and port handling
Chartering carriers (ships, rail, truck, pipelines)
Logistics management
Trading of products
Network optimization
Construction of new assets
Maintenance and Operations of assets
- Key Business Issues in Downstream Oil and Gas4:45
The key business issues in the impacts of digital technologies on Downstream oil and gas are discussed in this lecture. these include:
Adoption of connected, autonomous, shared, electric cars
Demand destruction
Development of smart cities
Compliance, safety and environmental protection
Competition for retail customer from utilities
Rise of alternative fuels (hydrogen, batteries)
and more...
- Business issues in different markets
- Orthodoxies of Downstream Oil and Gas3:24
This lecture discusses the following orthodoxies in downstream oil and gas:
humans buy fuel, not vehicles
Drivers collect fuel at retail
People to purchase and pay for goods in retail
Depend on people for routine work
Maximize asset utilization
- Digital Impacts on downstream oil and gas3:05
This lecture discusses the impacts of digital technologies on downstream oil and gas. These include:
deeper understanding of consumer behaviour through apps
Improved customer services via apps
Optimization of assets, transparency through the supply chain
The article looks at refinery mergers, a common occurrence in the downstream, and how digital can impact them.
- Business Model Impacts in Downstream Oil and Gas0:54
Some of the business model impacts of digital technology in downstream oil and gas are discussed in this lecture. These impacts include:
fuel delivery to vehicles disrupts the retail model
Vehicle ownership model (car share) creates new corporate customer
Conversion of retail sites to community energy sites
- Digital technologies and Fuel Retailing
- Recapping Downstream Oil and Gas0:59
This lecture summarizes the impacts of digital technology on downstream oil and gas.
Requirements
- High level understanding of the oil and gas industry
- General awareness of digital technologies
Description
Digital technologies are poised to make an impact on the oil and gas industry, but when? What will be the impacts? Which technologies will have the greatest impact? How big will the impact be? How will these technologies be best implemented? How can companies, suppliers, regulators and employees prepare for these changes? What does this mean for your oil and gas career?
The combination of COVID19 and the pressures to reduce fossil fuel emissions is creating great pressure on the industry to modernize as much and as fast as possible. Digital tools are among the few remaining ways that the industry can improve costs, productivity and climate impacts with one stroke.
This course (Version 3.0) is the on-line version of the one-day in-person seminar offered by the course instructor to oil companies and services companies around the world. Described as “the definitive guide to preparing your career for digital in oil and gas”, Digital Oil and Gas is a one-stop place to learn about digital in the industry.
Participants learn the terminology and backstory to digital innovation in the industry, a framework for thinking about digital technologies, the maturity and impact of leading technologies, and the likely opportunities in upstream, midstream and downstream.
The instructor holds regular office hours via a Facebook group exclusively for Udemy students to answer questions about the course, discuss hot industry topics, and interview guests.
The course is based on the bestselling book, ‘Bits, Bytes, and Barrels: The Digital Transformation of Oil and Gas’, available on Amazon, Audible, iTunes and many other on-line book shops.
Who this course is for:
- oil and gas industry professionals
- technology industry professionals
- field service companies
- consultants to oil and gas