Around this time last year, oil and gas executives were contemplating how Big Data analytics could become a source of significant competitive advantage for their companies. As the industry made slow, yet steady progress toward digital transformation, corporate discussions centered on how machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI) and automation could save the upstream sector billions of dollars. Fast forward to today, the industry is knee-deep in one of the worst downturns in history. The demand destruction has caused massive well shut-ins, historic layoffs and, consequently, remote operations have become the new normal. The executives are now discussing survival strategies using advanced digital solutions and are revisiting the use of historical data for resilience and recovery. A recent study by McKinsey & Co. stated, 'It is uncertain when the current perfect storm impacting oil and gas operators will pass What is certain, however, is that only innovative operators with superior operating models will come out of this crisis prepared to cope with volatility and to sustain future growth.'

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