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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Technology

AI, Digital Technology to Transform Energy Industry

From ThisDay · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • AI and digital technologies will significantly reshape the energy industry in the next decade, enhancing human expertise rather than replacing it.
  • Key impacts include improved decision support, reservoir management, and operational efficiency through data analysis and predictive maintenance.
  • The greatest value will come from combining AI with experienced professionals, disciplined workflows, and reliable data, not just deploying more applications.

Artificial intelligence and other digital technologies are poised to transform the global energy industry over the next ten years, but their primary value will lie in augmenting human expertise, not supplanting it. Tosin Famurewa, Chief Business Officer and Executive Vice President of Ryder Scott, made these remarks during a panel session at NAICE 2025 in Lagos.

AI gives us an opportunity to extract insights from data at a scale and speed that simply wasn’t possible before.

— Tosin FamurewaChief Business Officer and Executive Vice President of Ryder Scott, on the capabilities of AI.

Famurewa identified decision support, reservoir management, and operational efficiency as the areas where AI is expected to have the most significant impact within the next five to ten years. AI systems can analyze vast amounts of data at unprecedented speed, enabling engineers to extract insights, identify patterns, and reduce time spent on repetitive analytical tasks. In reservoir management, machine learning can help operators detect anomalies earlier, improve forecasting, optimize waterfloods, and anticipate production declines.

Furthermore, technologies like digital twins, IoT sensors, and predictive maintenance can boost operational efficiency by minimizing equipment downtime and enhancing asset reliability. However, Famurewa cautioned against the notion that AI can replace experienced professionals. "AI doesn’t replace sound engineering judgment. It doesn’t replace understanding reservoir physics," he stated, emphasizing that AI's effectiveness hinges on the quality of data and the underlying assumptions of the models.

AI doesn’t replace sound engineering judgment. It doesn’t replace understanding reservoir physics.

— Tosin FamurewaRyder Scott executive, cautioning against over-reliance on AI.

Famurewa advised energy companies to focus on integrating technology with experienced professionals, robust workflows, and reliable data, rather than simply deploying numerous AI applications. For Nigerian oil and gas operators considering digital transformation, he recommended addressing specific business challenges first, such as improving reserves forecasting or reducing drilling performance, rather than attempting a comprehensive technology strategy.

At Ryder Scott, we often say that technology should make better engineers, not replace engineers.

— Tosin FamurewaRyder Scott executive, on the role of technology in the energy sector.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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