Abhi Kohok, Subsurface Director, INEOS Energy

Abhi, can you tell us a little about your role at INEOS Energy?

As the Subsurface Director serving on the Board of INEOS Energy, I lead the subsurface teams comprising geoscientists and engineers across Europe. I am responsible for overseeing the technical aspects involved in the exploration, appraisal, development, and production of our hydrocarbon resources. I provide strategic recommendations for optimizing our E&P portfolio and my responsibilities extend across multiple domains, including oil and gas, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and driving digital transformation initiatives.

It’s been another exciting year at INEOS Energy with lots of activity across the group – what’s been your personal highlight?

There have indeed been numerous exciting developments at INEOS Energy this year, making it challenging to pinpoint just one highlight. However, if I had to narrow it down, two significant achievements stand out – our CO2 Injection Pilot Test and the geosteering of a particularly challenging lateral well in a thin reservoir section with exceptional precision.

As a subsurface professional, the journey from conceptual studies to actual project implementation and witnessing those projects come to fruition is profoundly rewarding. These two instances perfectly encapsulate this journey.

Our CCS pilot was a particularly groundbreaking initiative. This endeavor provided us, and the broader industry, with an invaluable data point to comprehend CO2 injection into depleted oil and gas reservoirs. We've been producing hydrocarbons and injecting water and gas into the Nini reservoirs in the Danish North Sea for the past three decades. Our subsurface modeling studies indicated that CO2 could be successfully injected, but moving from theoretical modeling to an actual test to validate and calibrate the process was indeed captivating.
The second significant highlight was the successful geosteering of a lateral well. This accomplishment was a significant milestone because it now allows us to drill and access previously inaccessible sections of our field.

Both these projects are testament to INEOS Energy's commitment to innovation and optimization, and they mark my personal highlights of the past year.

What kind of industry innovations are you seeing that excite you and that you think can create real value for the industry?

Several burgeoning innovations excite me, primarily because they have the potential to drive significant value.

Firstly, advanced analytics and digital technologies are revolutionizing the industry. Big Data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning are being leveraged to optimize drilling operations, enhance reservoir simulations, and improve predictive maintenance. This can lead to substantial cost savings and increased operational efficiency.

Secondly, the increased focus on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). As the industry moves towards greener practices, CCS technology can play a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while increasing the life of mature assets by infrastructure re-use and cost synergies, thereby improving the ultimate recovery.

Lastly, the advancements in seismic and drilling technology like advanced geosteering systems, will allow us to reach and access reserves that were previously deemed uneconomical or too challenging to reach.

All these innovations excite me because they are reshaping the industry. They not only offer the potential for enhanced profitability but also enable the industry to align with global sustainability goals. The real value lies in successfully integrating these technologies and innovations into everyday operations, which I believe is the future of the upstream oil and gas industry.

What excites you about the future of the energy industry and what kind of role do you see INEOS Energy playing in it?

It is the confluence of technological innovation and sustainability initiatives like CCS shaping its trajectory. We are at a tipping point where the drive towards a low-carbon economy is not only seen as necessary but also economically viable, creating a multitude of new opportunities.

The future of the energy industry, particularly from an oil & gas supply and demand perspective, is extraordinarily dynamic and invigorating. It's a transformative landscape shaped by shifting geopolitical factors, technological advancements, and an unwavering commitment towards a more sustainable and lower-carbon future.

In this thrilling narrative of change, I see INEOS Energy poised as a key player in Europe's energy story in the coming years. With an ambition to increase hydrocarbon production organically by 100% through strategic investments in development projects, INEOS Energy is making bold strides towards future growth.

Our target to sequester up to 8 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2030 through Project Greensand, speaks volumes about our commitment to combat climate change. This initiative is equivalent to offsetting more than 13% of Denmark's annual CO2 emissions, a feat that encapsulates our vision of a greener future.

Moreover, our plans to ship 1.4 million tonnes of LNG per annum from the US Gulf Coast to Europe for the next 20 years, along with planned investments in hydrogen, biogas, ammonia, and green hydrogen, underscore our ambition and potential to diversify and strengthen Europe's energy security.

This year, our strategic acquisition of $1.4 billion Chesapeake’s Eagle Ford assets marks our entry into the US E&P market, expanding our geographical footprint and reinforcing our global position.

In summary, I am incredibly excited about the future of the energy industry and INEOS Energy's significant role in it. We are not just spectators but active players shaping the contours of the industry. Through innovation, sustainability, and ambition, we are committed to powering a brighter and more sustainable future for all.