Beyond the Notebook: AI and Machine Learning for Reservoir Characterization, The Beginning of a New Era
When theory turns into skill and you realize you’ve crossed the threshold into real expertise, in a world where change is constant, and as professionals in the oil industry, we must reinvent ourselves every day. Today I celebrate with everyone that I have earned the Certification in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Reservoir Characterization, and I’m excited to share how such a timely and dynamic topic signals a new path for the future of petroleum engineering.
Today's revolution is different because it means moving away from what worked for years, improving it as technology advances. For that, it is necessary to understand how Machine Learning models have benefitted major companies like Shell and BP; analyses that once took weeks now take minutes. But that “understanding” doesn’t mean a superficial grasp; it requires training, practice, lots of practice, and much more practice, because, like any skill, it takes discipline, effort, and persistence to master; and still we keep learning.
The truth is, we are witnessing a new beginning. The fear of being replaced should simply be faced; AI is just another tool, and it needs our experience, our knowledge, and the professional background we have built so we can keep growing, innovating, and transforming ourselves to become our own best version. But, as the course taught us, if we are not capable of adapting, then all those fears may indeed materialize.
Technical sophistication will now let us tackle challenges that were virtually impossible before. Data-driven workflows reduce history matching cycles from weeks to days. The ability to iterate, test scenarios, and optimize wells is now at our fingertips; machine learning algorithms and neural networks can classify rock facies and estimate petrophysical properties from well logs, which means identifying targets with more speed and consistency than traditional methods.
In our industry, where decisions must be made quickly and might cost thousands or even millions of dollars, and our beloved Excel macros are no longer the most efficient solution, the path toward digital efficiency will be our new ally.
This certification is not just a badge; it is a declaration of readiness for an industry undergoing its deepest transformation. For now, what excites me most about this achievement is the democratization of expertise, it means engineers everywhere can learn and innovate. All we need is curiosity, discipline, and the right frameworks, and that change is profound.
As I sit with my morning Colombian coffee, I reflect on how far we’ve come. The complexity of reservoir characterization used to be a barrier to entry; now, with AI and ML, it has become a doorway to innovation. The barrier is no longer the tools or the data, it’s the will to learn and the courage to challenge the status quo.
By your friend
Adriana Fonseca