Kuwait Oil Launches 'Sand' to Leverage AI and Accumulated Expertise

Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), in collaboration with strategic partner SLB, has launched the “Sind” initiative, a specialized knowledge assistant for drilling operations that leverages generative artificial intelligence to harness accumulated expertise and advance digital transformation in the oil sector.

Marking the occasion, Youssef Suhail Al-Shammari, Senior Drilling and Well Repair Engineer in KOC’s New Exploration Group, stated that the “Sind” initiative represents a step toward leveraging the company’s technical expertise and accumulated knowledge over decades. By employing generative AI, the initiative aims to develop knowledge management mechanisms and facilitate employees’ access to specialized information on drilling and well repair operations.

Al-Shammari explained that KOC possesses a substantial body of technical and knowledge assets accumulated over many years of work and field experience. This includes operating procedures, daily drilling reports, safety and environmental guidelines, as well as lessons learned from past operations and practical experiences, which constitute a vital component of the company’s institutional knowledge.

He added that the challenge extends beyond the mere availability of this information and documentation; it also involves organizing and making it accessible to employees in a manner that enables them to quickly and easily retrieve the required information and utilize it to support their daily work. The “Sind” initiative was designed to contribute to achieving this objective.

Al-Shammari noted that “Sind” targets linking dispersed technical knowledge from various sources within a specialized knowledge framework, enabling easier and more effective access to information. It also helps save the time and effort required to search for data and procedures related to operations. He emphasized that the significance of this step lies in transforming accumulated knowledge from static content stored in documents into a practical resource that can be utilized in the work environment, thereby enhancing knowledge transfer among teams and supporting the application of past experiences in addressing technical and operational challenges.

He pointed out that the drilling and well repair sector requires handling large volumes of technical information and operating procedures, alongside compliance with occupational health and safety requirements and environmental protection standards. This makes organizing knowledge and making it accessible to employees a crucial factor in supporting performance efficiency.

Al-Shammari stressed that deploying AI in this field serves as a support tool for employees, helping them access relevant information. However, he highlighted the importance of referring to official approved documents and procedures, verifying technical information, particularly in matters related to safety and operational decisions. He noted that the “Sind” initiative reflects the importance of leveraging modern digital technologies to develop work methods and linking the expertise KOC has acquired over decades with more advanced tools for knowledge management and retrieval.

Al-Shammari extended his thanks and appreciation to Kuwait Oil Company and its administrative and technical staff, led by CEO Ahmed Jaber Al-Eidan, for their unlimited support of technical and technical initiatives championed by young professionals and national staff, enabling their realization and practical implementation, which benefits the company.