Operational Safety With AI: Chevron's Ellen Nielsen

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Dec 5, 2023

Chevron's first chief data officer, Ellen Nielsen, discusses the company's use of AI and machine learning in various areas such as tank inspection, digital twins for simulation, and equipment monitoring. She also talks about Chevron's citizen development program, which empowers employees with AI tools. The podcast explores the potential of AI in healthcare, climate transition, and education systems.

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ANECDOTE

Robots And Sensors Replacing Risky Inspections

Ellen Nielsen describes replacing human tank inspections with robots using computer vision to improve safety and predictive maintenance.
She explains QR-coded sensors and citizen-developed apps map sensor locations to monitor equipment status in real time.

INSIGHT

Digital Twins Link Simulation To On‑Field Safety

Digital twins combine IoT sensor data and simulations to make field operations safer and more predictive.
They let operators plan and execute maintenance at the right time to improve reliability and efficiency.

ANECDOTE

Rockerpedia Centralizes Reservoir Knowledge

Ellen recounts using machine learning to model reservoir rock composition and created a 'rockerpedia' to centralize geologic knowledge.
That system speeds reservoir decisions that used to rely on printed maps and individual experience.

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Ellen Nielsen, Chevron’s first chief data officer, sees data as the common thread throughout a career that has spanned systems, digital data, procurement, and supply chain. In her current role, she applies what she’s learned to Chevron’s wide-ranging AI and machine learning initiatives, including the use of robots and computer vision to inspect tanks, digital twins to simulate operations, and sensors to monitor equipment in refineries.

On this episode, Ellen shares examples of the integrated energy company's use cases for machine learning and generative AI, and she describes the company’s citizen development program, which puts safe, secured AI and machine learning tools in the hands of employees throughout Chevron. Read the episode transcript here.

Me, Myself, and AI is a collaborative podcast from MIT Sloan Management Review and Boston Consulting Group and is hosted by Sam Ransbotham and Shervin Khodabandeh. Our engineer is David Lishansky, and the coordinating producers are Allison Ryder and Sophie Rüdinger.

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Guest bio:

Ellen Nielsen is the chief data officer at Chevron, where she focuses on creating a data-oriented culture partnered with value-chain thinking. A multidisciplinary leader, Nielsen has over 30 years of global experience as an executive in IT, digital, data, procurement, and supply chain. She has worked with industry leaders in oil and gas, fast-moving consumer goods, automotive, manufacturing, retail, and banking and insurance.

Nielsen is a regular speaker at industry events and has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being named to CDO Magazine’s 2023 Global Data Power Women list. She was also ranked fifth on the 2023 DataIQ 100 list of the most influential people in data in the United States.

She also serves on a variety of boards, including PIDX (Petroleum Industry Data Exchange) International and Women Leaders in Data & AI.

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