Guwahati: The need for innovative technologies in natural resource exploration has never been more pressing, especially in challenging terrains like Northeast India, which holds significant hydrocarbon potential.
Advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Drones, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are being deployed to enhance efficiency, precision, and safety in hydrocarbon exploration, helping to reduce operational costs and environmental impact.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
This technological approach is particularly valuable in the rugged and hilly landscapes of the Northeast, where traditional methods often face limitations.
The Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for Northeast India, which aims to transform the region into a key hub in India’s energy landscape, envisions a significant investment of Rs 1.3 lakh crore across upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors.
The vision includes ambitious goals such as doubling the production of oil and natural gas, ensuring clean fuel access to 100% of households at affordable prices, and creating employment through skill development.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
These efforts are expected to position the Northeast as a central player in India’s energy economy, contributing to national self-reliance in energy.
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, in a statement to Parliament in December 2023, highlighted the Northeast’s contribution to India’s hydrocarbon production, with Assam alone accounting for 14% of the country’s crude oil and 10% of natural gas production.
Puri has announced a capital expenditure of Rs 61,000 crore to enhance oil and gas production, focusing significantly on integrating advanced technologies to boost operational efficiency.
Between 2019-20 and 2022-23, Assam earned royalties exceeding Rs 9,000 crore from crude oil and Rs 850 crore from gas, highlighting the state’s key role in India’s hydrocarbon economy.
The oil and gas sector, traditionally dependent on heavy engineering and capital, is experiencing a digital transformation with technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).
These technologies have enabled companies to improve operational efficiency, enhance safety, and lower costs, especially in challenging environments like Northeast India.
AI and ML have revolutionized exploration and reservoir management by optimizing resource use and improving decision-making processes in complex terrains.
Also Read: Assam: Girijananda Chowdhury University to launch wildlife study centre
A recent breakthrough in this transformation is the completion of a LiDAR drone survey in one of the Northeast’s operational areas.
The LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, deployed via drones, allowed precise and rapid surveying of the hilly landscapes, addressing the region’s challenges of remote and difficult access.
This technology enables faster, safer, and more cost-effective exploration, marking a new era in data collection and site assessment in the Northeast.
Industry veteran and former ONGC official, Doja, noted that this approach exemplifies how AI, ML, and drone technologies are reshaping the industry, making it more resilient and adaptive to challenging terrains like those in the Northeast.
LiDAR technology, which employs rapid light pulses to gather extensive data, creates highly accurate 3D landscape models.
When combined with AI and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, this technology allows companies to process data in real-time, enhancing decision-making and enabling precise planning for civil engineering projects like road construction, essential for transporting rigs in rugged terrains.
The recent drone survey in Northeast India has demonstrated the value of this technology, reducing infrastructure costs and delivering detailed road specifications, which accelerates regional development.
Traditionally, seismic data interpretation, a key step in identifying potential drilling sites, has been a slow and intensive process.
However, with AI advancements, seismic data can now be analyzed rapidly and with high precision.
This AI-driven approach not only reduces time and capital costs but also minimizes the risk of unproductive drilling—especially beneficial in the Northeast’s complex geography.
According to Atul Kumar, CEO of Shriv ComMedia Solutions, AI is reshaping seismic analysis, enabling companies to pinpoint optimal drilling sites efficiently and sustainably, optimizing resource use in challenging locations.