Merging Energy and Data Science Expertise

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Energy companies old and new are relying more and more on data to run and optimize everything from strategic decisions to minute-by-minute operations. From data collected by drone inspections and automated equipment to digital twins and immersive platforms, data is all around us. The level to which the industry can harness that data will have a big impact on the next 10 to 15 years. 

From Airswift

However right now, expertise is often split:

  • Data scientists with little energy industry experience

  • Experienced industry professionals with little data science exposure

In the energy industry specifically, a knowledge of both is vital. “The importance of having data engineers specifically and expertly trained for this industry can’t be understated when it comes to safety issues,” said Vivek K. Prajapati, a petroleum engineer. “A general computer engineer, data engineer, or data scientist doesn’t have the background to understand the safety issues inherent in the petroleum industry.”

How can we visualize this complex workforce challenge? With a venn diagram, of course. 

 
 

If we had the skills or copyrights to make an Animorphs image, we would, but we don’t. So a venn diagram will have to do. 

Energy companies need to attract data scientists interested specifically in energy and help educational institutions build curriculum accordingly. 

Long term, universities—especially those in energy hubs like Houston—can build out advanced degrees that focus on data science in energy applications. Until then, there might be short-term options:

  • Offer industry exerts some professional development opportunities in data science

  • Immerse data scientists into the energy industry in the office and field

  • Create teams made up of both data scientists and industry experts that work together to analyze data and appropriately apply it to energy applications

Energy companies can potentially attract young professionals interested in data to the industry by showing them the impact they could have on helping move to a lower-carbon future. They have a chance to make a real difference in the world—a job attribute more and more important to younger generations in the workforce. 

Jobs are changing in our industry, there’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it. 

Perhaps what we need is a hybrid data/energy engineer a la Sharktopus. That person would be just as powerful, but much less scary.