What is your role at IBM?
Based in Dubai, UAE, I am the Chemicals and Petroleum Executive for IBM covering the Middle East, Africa and Turkey. I lead IBM’s Oil & Gas business portfolio in the region.
What is the most innovative solution you have implemented recently?
The often risky and expensive process of petroleum exploration and production, coupled with the complicated workings and declining profit margins of refining and going to market, means that “smarter” oil isn’t just an ideal. It’s a mandate. IBM developed a way to simulate well performance using multiple data sources and deliver information via a mobile device within seven seconds to users who need the information.
What is the role of technology in the oil and gas sector in this region?
For exploration and production, cutting-edge computing has been key for oil companies pushing into unchartered territories. For both upstream and downstream clients, reducing costs and mitigating risks are key activities that rely extensively on automation, technology, and excellence in execution. Repsol and IBM will jointly develop two prototype cognitive applications specifically designed to augment Repsol’s strategic decision making in the optimisation of oil reservoir production and in the acquisition of new oil fields.
What are your predictions for next year?
We expect continued growth in the acquisition, deployment and usage of technology in the oil and gas marketplace. This will be mostly focused on revamping legacy processes and systems across core businesses. We also see significant activities in the design and deployment of cloud technology to support enhanced collaboration across clients, their internal customers, and their suppliers.
What are IBM’s plans for the future?
Our innovations for leveraging “Big Data” analytics for drilling optimisation, land management, seismic interpretation, production optimisation, logistics, and equipment scheduling and safety will continue to be a top priority for IBM.
About Antoine Milan
Antoine Milan is the chemicals and petroleum executive for IBM in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey. Based in Dubai, he leads IBM’s oil and gas business portfolio in the region. Milan has international business experience in strategic business planning, financial management, operations management.
