(WO) – “Whether it was today, 10 or 20 years ago, the challenge is the same: to power the world.”
It was a message from John ArdillExxonMobil’s Vice President of Exploration and New Businesses spoke at OTC’s second-day technical session, “Exploration in a Decade of Demand,” moderated by Nikki Martin, President and CEO of EnerGeo Alliance.
Mr. Aadil said the industry faces continued increases in energy demand, while repeated supply disruptions have reinforced the need to continue investing in long-cycle oil and gas supplies.
Image: ExxonMobil Guyana
“I’m never in shock anymore,” Ardil said. “It’s more like a series of disruptions every 12 to 18 months.”
Guyana emphasizes technology and partnerships. Ardil cited Guyana as a prime example of what can happen when governments, regulators and investors work together to move projects forward quickly. Since first oil production in 2019, ExxonMobil and its partners have expanded production through a series of FPSO developments, bringing production closer to 1 million barrels per day.
“Its success is due to collaboration between governments, regulators and investors,” Ardil said. “With this in place, we will be able to go from discovery to production in just a few years.”
He also said the company recently drilled its first fully autonomous well in Guyana, where AI handled the drilling and geosteering in the reservoir section. “This is not a driller that touches the controls,” Ardil said. “This is being excavated throughout the reservoir section using AI, including geosteering.”
Adil said the autonomous system delivered stronger drilling and well placement performance than traditional approaches.
US shale remains the benchmark. Ardil described the US shale sector as a benchmark for unconventional development, citing its combination of resource quality, infrastructure, regulatory support and supply chain depth.
“We’ve been very fortunate in the United States,” he said. “This is the perfect location for many reasons: high technology, associated gas, a perfect ecosystem, great regulators and government support for rapid growth.”
That foundation has enabled a production-style drilling model that remains difficult to replicate internationally, he said.
“The rocks are different and we can use the pilot to test the rocks and eliminate any hazards,” Ardil said. “But it’s really the surface that distinguishes unconventional successes.”
He said the real benefit lies in being able to reduce drilling and completion costs, shorten cycle times and create a system that can support large-scale developments. But replicating it outside the US requires more than underground quality.
“It requires a government behind it that enables supply chains, the seamless movement of people and goods, and core things like hydrocarbons laws and policies, all of which are enabled.” [and] “It’s easy to say, but very difficult to do,” Ardil said.
Looking to the future, Aadil said global energy demand will continue to increase and AI will further enhance demand growth.
“There has never been a better time to enter our industry,” he said. “Whether you’re going to be a geologist, be an engineer, or work in data science.”
Mr. Aadil’s final message to his audience was direct. “There’s no better time to explore,” he said. “bring it on.”
Image above: John Ardill, ExxonMobil’s vice president of exploration and new business, speaks with Nikki Martin, president and CEO of Energeo Alliance, at OTC Day 2 in Houston.
