Keynote Speakers

The conference features keynote presentations from key experts in machine learning

Prof. Michael J. Pyrcz

Keynote: Emerging Opportunities with Data Analytics and Machine Learning in Subsurface Modeling

Recently, Michael made the move to the University of Texas at Austin to accept the role of Associate Professor in the Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, and the Department of Geological Sciences and Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences. At the University of Texas, Michael teaches and supervises research on subsurface data analytics, geostatistics and machine learning. In addition, Michael accepted the role of Principal Investigator for the College of Natural Sciences, the University of Texas at Austin, freshman research initiative in energy data analytics and teaches widely in the energy industry. 

Before joining the University of Texas at Austin, Michael conducted and lead research on reservoir data analytics and modeling for 13 years with Chevron’s Energy Technology Company. He became an enterprise-wide subject matter expert, advising and mentoring on workflow development and best practice. Michael has written over 50 peer-reviewed publications, a Python package and a textbook on spatial data analytics with Oxford University Press. He is currently an associate editor with Computers and Geosciences, and on the editorial board member for Mathematical Geosciences. For more information go to www.michaelpyrcz.com, see his course lectures at http://y2u.be/j4dMnAPZu70, along with the demonstration numerical workflows at https://github.com/GeostatsGuy and contributions to outreach through social media at https://twitter.com/GeostatsGuy.

Michel Lutz

Keynote: Total - Machine Learning & Data Management from the Trenches

Michel is in charge of data transformation for the Total Group since 2016. His main missions are:

• Transmission of the data culture and skills across the company
• Transformation of technological systems
• Continuous improvement of data management practices

Michel is also responsible of the data team (30 specialists in data science, data management and MLOps) at Total Digital Factory.

Claire Emma Birnie

Keynote: The Key Ingredients for Scaling ML Solutions in Geoscience: Explainability and Infrastructure

Claire is a senior data scientist working within Equinor ASA and holds a PhD in computational geophysics. In 2016 she won a Microsoft Codess scholarship and undertook Microsoft's professional program in data science. Claire works across the full project pipeline from developing proof-of-concepts to scaling and deployment for multiple business areas including operational planning, production monitoring and realtime geophysical monitoring. She has published papers on a range of data science tasks from time series analysis to image segmentation to natural language processing.

Steve Freeman

Keynote: Proven value of AI and Analytics throughout the E&P lifecycle

Steve is the Global Technology Advisor for Subsurface, AI and Innovation for the digital side of Schlumberger. Prior to that Steve directed the AI developments across the business. Steve was also previously the VP of digital for the software side of Schlumberger. 

During the last 5 years he has been involved in the development and implementation of AI solutions across all domains in the business. He has worked closely with client partners around the world defining, developing and deploying solutions that have been implemented in all scales of customer enterprise.  

Steve currently is part of the AI EAGE committee. Steve gained his PhD in Structural Geology from Leeds University in the UK.  He has since worked in the Energy and Minerals businesses around the globe over the last 25 years.