hologram technology offers new perspectives

Saud Al-Otaibi has long been fascinated by what lies beneath the Earth’s surface.

“This is my passion,” said Al-Otaibi, a Saudi Arabian Chevron senior earth scientist. “I’ve always been interested in learning about the unknown and explaining it to others.”

And a new hologram display tool has just made doing this a little easier. Unveiled during the 2024 International Petroleum Technology Conference in Saudi Arabia, it provides an effective way to visualize 3D subsurface models.

A hologram is a 3D projection of a computer image.

With this new hologram display tool, subsurface professionals like Al-Otaibi can better understand the complex properties of oil and gas reservoirs. The tool can help guide decision-making. For instance, it can help reveal the best places to drill.

“You can use it to imagine how the reservoir works,” Al-Otaibi said. “You can see all these different properties in one 3D representation.”

This technology can significantly improve several aspects of oil and gas operations, such as exploration, production, training and safety. For example, it can be used to:

• Help drive faster and more informed decision-making.
• Reveal reservoir characteristics so Chevron teams can anticipate difficult drilling situations and avoid problems.
• Provide another way to visually inspect facilities.

The hologram is among a range of innovative technologies that will be showcased during ADIPEC 2024 in Abu Dhabi.

This isn’t the first time Chevron has used hologram technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

HoloLens® is a headset that operates as a fully self-contained holographic computer. Coupled with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Remote Assist, it helps field personnel troubleshoot problems by connecting them with experts around the world.

HoloLens is a federally registered trademark of the Microsoft group of companies.