Disruptive Technologies and New Approaches

Panel moderated by Peter Bryant, Managing Partner, Clareo

We have a huge task. We want to increase recovery, reduce costs, reduce footprint. And I think we also want to be proud of our industry again.

Grethe Moen, CEO, Petoro

Disruptive Technologies Panel

What is a challenge and an opportunity that the industry faces in the context of disruptive technology?

Ms. Elsenhans stated that climate change is unsurprisingly one of the industry’s biggest challenges. If the industry can see climate change as an opportunity for companies to become cleaner, and differentiate from the pack, they may find success.

Mr. Faramawy is optimistic about the productivity and growing ambition within the industry, but also sees this as a challenge because these expectations can be difficult to manage. He says talent retention is of utmost importance as there is rapidly growing demand for the people who have the potential to see and implement solutions across all industries.

Ms. Moen sees technology as a tool that enables huge opportunities. She said one of the biggest challenges leaders face is the willingness change their perceptions, and to see new realities that become available when you have the right talent. Many companies look to historical data as an indicator of what they should do next but, with the transition that is currently happening, she says this approach no longer makes sense.

Mr. Howell echoed Moen’s thoughts on the possibility of growth opportunities from technology and innovation, but said it isn’t enough to just put technology into place. What is most important is to then evaluate the asset holistically to really see the effect this innovation has had.

The panel discussed the great importance of collaboration as it related to climate change. They agreed that, while there is competition among companies, they must also find a way to work together to solve this problem. The point was made that collaboration should extend beyond the oil and gas industry. For example, the transportation industry can provide a great deal of insight into some of the same problems the oil and gas industry faces. Howell pointed out that, even within his company, they have the unique opportunity to look into both upstream and downstream, and learn from each other.

Peter Bryant

Peter Bryant is an executive business strategist with more than 30 years of experience developing and driving high-growth strategies for companies in the US, Asia Pacific and Europe. He has advised executive teams at a range of enterprises, from emerging businesses to Global Fortune 500 companies and held senior leadership roles at global compan...

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Lynn Elsenhans

Lynn L. Elsenhans is a retired executive that serves on the boards of directors of Baker Hughes Company, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Saudi Aramco, and the Texas Medical Center.

Ms. Elsenhans started her career with Shell Oil Company in 1980 in the Houston headquarters. Subsequently, she held several positions of increasing responsibility in Ho...

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Ali Faramawy

As a Corporate Vice President, Ali is a key member of Microsoft’s international leadership team and is focused primarily on the company’s strategy in emerging as well as high growth markets globally.

Ali leads Microsoft’s Digital Transformation Partnerships organization, newly established in April 2017 to accelerate and support commercia...

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Andy Howell

Andy is responsible for KBC’s overall business and is a member of Yokogawa’s global executive team. He also heads KBC’s global products business. He is based in London, UK.

As CEO, Andy led KBC through its acquisition by Yokogawa and the delisting on the UK AIM exchange. Prior to that, he managed KBC's technology business. He started hi...

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Grethe Moen

Grethe K. Moen is a graduate chemical engineer from NTNU in Trondheim (Norwegian University of Science and Technology). She has broad experience from both Norwegian and international petroleum operations.

Ms. Moen has held a number of management positions in the production, technology and commercial areas at Statoil (now Equinor) and She...

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Disruptive Technologies and New Approaches

What is a challenge and an opportunity that the industry faces in the context of disruptive technology?

Panelists

Peter Bryant

Lynn Elsenhans

Ali Faramawy

Andy Howell

Grethe Moen