PTTEP embraces digital transformation, drives AI innovation across organisation

It established 65 digital features for enhancing operational effectiveness and efficiency.

Digitalisation has been seen as a major challenge to the industrial sector, PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) embraced the change and continued its transformation journey focussing on digital, organisational, and new normal dimensions towards the low-carbon and sustainable future goal of the energy industry.

Amidst its recognition that digital transformation and innovation are keys in driving performance and value creation, PTTEP has established a digital culture that empowers employees to leverage advanced digital technologies. At the same time, the company scaled up digital solutions with data platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) to address pain points, improve work efficiency, optimise costs, and increase production.

Amongst these digital features is PathSight, an innovative system designed for locating wells and wellhead platforms in the gas fields of the Gulf of Thailand to identify optimal drilling locations.

This feature maximises reserve extraction whilst minimising investment costs by utilising advanced optimisation algorithms combined with extensive subsurface data. PathSight’s comprehensive approach significantly outperforms conventional manual methods in both speed and accuracy. 

Other successful tools that PTTEP has utilised are the Minimum Leak-Off Gradient & Loss Prediction (MLOG) and the Drilling Operations Real-time Analysis (DORA). Both tools enhance productive time and optimise drilling performance by using AI. Leveraging virtual simulations and statistical models, they predict pre-drilling issues with advanced technologies.

Independent of individual judgment, they significantly reduce financial losses and resource expenditures on drilling operation issues, and empower the team to respond proactively and efficiently.

Meanwhile, the APEX CO2 Membrane Optimisation digital solution advises the most optimum process parameters for CO2 membrane operations by utilising machine learning (ML) and optimisation algorithms as the innovative model to achieve hydrocarbon loss reduction.

PTTEP’s other innovations that stemmed from the utilisation of AI technology include Early Detection and Prompt Resolution, both of which provide real-time machine health monitoring, forecast the remaining life of machinery, enable proactive performance checks, and ensure timely interventions.

These solutions excel in problem identification and offer precise solutions. They have reduced machine downtime by 85% and have saved a significant amount of cost in the past three years. 

At the same time, AI is also used by the company for Bid Evaluation, wherein it leverages generative pre-trained transformer (GPT) technology to enhance bid evaluation process and generate evaluation reports. PTTEP has been able to reduce evaluation time by 92%, save cost, and significantly boost procurement efficiency through GPT innovation.

The company has also utilised AI algorithms to predict demand, optimise stock levels, and reduce excess inventory. The platform decreases inventory costs and enhances operational efficiency.

Another noteworthy solution is the development of the Cost Excellence platform, which reduces price estimation time by over 50% and saves the budget through the estimation of project costs using AI and ML technology.

By engaging various functions within the company and encouraging collaboration, PTTEP’s digital transformation journey has unveiled an EP Digital Platform - a combined suite of over 65 digital features that the company has developed, both internally and through partnerships, to support multiple facets of business including E&P operations, safety, maintenance, logistics, and procurement. 

Such a notable performance has been commended by the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2024, with PTTEP bagging the title in the Thailand Technology Excellence Award in the AI - Oil & Gas category.

Now in its fourth edition, the Asian Technology Excellence Awards is the region’s premier awards programme that celebrates top technological innovators and solutions that are redefining industries and leading the charge in digital transformation.

The Asian Technology Excellence Awards is presented by Asian Business Review. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding retail initiatives, please contact Jane Patiag at [email protected].