Oil and Gas Operations: Digital Automation Trends for Improved Operational Efficiency

Dr. Wasden is a licensed chemical engineer specializing in technology implementation in the global energy sector.   Retired from Shell after 31 years, he most recently led Shell's "Asset of the Future" efforts, with primary focus on unconventional resources. Dr. Wasden has broad experience in global petroleum development and operations, as well as major oil company experience in Health, Safety and Environmental management and corporate strategy and portfolio management. He has served as industry liaison to several academic centers of excellence and has extensive experience in shaping and leading industrial technology programs. He holds a B.S. from the University of Wyoming, an M.S. from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Houston.

Chetan Desai is Vice President Digital Technologies for Schlumberger Limited, based in Houston, United States. In this role, he is shaping the digital technology strategy for the company and leads the global team responsible for defining, developing and deploying an enterprise-grade digital platform for the transformation of Exploration & Production. Prior to his current role, Desai led the global Industrial IoT efforts for Schlumberger by establishing a Center-of-Excellence (CoE) for IIoT and Automation for all Schlumberger services, resulting in the deployment of fit-for-purpose wellsite digitization solutions. Earlier in his tenure at the company across Europe and United States, Desai led the Wireline technology portfolio and harsh environment electronics technology organization.

Pal Roach joined Rockwell Automation in 2017. He currently has the role of Industry Consultant, Oil & Gas, supporting Heavy Industries Enterprise Accounts in the Global Sales and Marketing function. Pal is responsible for providing Oil & Gas Enterprise Customers with Industry domain expertise and insight into high-valued solutions that will transform their operations and lead to world class operational results. He leverages a wealth of domain expertise in oil & gas processes, operational production, and project engineering methodologies to solve customer problems and create a competitive advantage, while guiding customers along their digital transformation journeys. Pal has over 30 years experience in Oil & Gas industrial automation sales and consulting including prior careers at ExxonMobil and Honeywell Process Solutions. He has deep experience in the entire oil & gas value chain (from the oil field to the gas pump).

Andy is an experienced global leader with 30 years of industry-leading solution delivery and technology development experience in the specialist area of process automation. Since joining Rockwell Automation in 2005, Andy has held senior positions in Sales & Marketing, Operations, and Product Development.

Dave Hedge is a Solution Architect with ExxonMobil Information Technology and is based in Houston, TX. In his current role he splits time between architecting solutions for downstream modeling and optimization workflows and architecting/engineering proof of concepts for initiatives like the Open Process Automation Forum. Prior to this role Dave was a Domain Architect responsible for the strategy behind Edge Computing at ExxonMobil. Dave has been with ExxonMobil for 11 years, all within the IT division, but has experienced the various business functions that drive the core of ExxonMobil. One of Dave’s passions is to push the bounds of technology and the limits of what is possible while brining others along to learn. You will often find him asking the question: “Wouldn’t it be cool/nice/interesting/fun if….”. Dave holds a B.S. in Computer and Information Technology from Purdue University.