Innovative thinkers

“I think frugality drives innovation, just like other constraints do. One of the only ways to get out of a tight box is to invent your way out.” –Jeff Bezos, founder/CEO, Amazon.com.

This rings true, especially in the present-day energy market, as the downturn has put a copious amount of constraint on E&P activity worldwide. That’s why many companies are using this time to innovate and bring new technologies to market that will reduce cost and risk, as well as increase productivity and efficiency.

It is here, at the crossroads of business and technology, that consulting and innovation companies like Accenture come into play. Brian Richards is a certified senior technology architect and the energy innovation lead at Accenture. He, and a team of industry and innovation professionals, work with clients—which include major industry players and independent companies, alike—to generate ideas and, ultimately, manufacture advanced strategies and solutions for their toughest quandaries.

Growing up in Brandon, Miss., Richards had been encouraged to explore his curious nature and his fascination with science and technology. “I really took an interest in science experiments, doing things like making bottle rockets and building model volcanoes,”  Richards said. “I enjoyed dealing with absolutes, and predicting reactions. I enjoyed the challenge.”

While earning his degree in electrical engineering at the University of Notre Dame, Richards accepted a position as an intern at aerospace company Boeing. There, he took part in a variety of technical assignments, including the testing of flight computers for experimental, unmanned aircraft.

Soon thereafter, he was hired as an analyst at Accenture’s labs in downtown Chicago. “When I first went to Chicago to visit the labs, I was struck by the working environment that Accenture had to offer,” said Richards. “It was so exciting to be working with young professionals, with so much talent and passion for technology development.”

Richards has continued to work for the company throughout his career, evolving as a consultant and, ultimately, taking on the role of senior manager. He moved to Houston, where he resumed his commitment to the firm’s innovation and digital services. Richards said, “Sure, we have NASA and a top-tier medical field, but Houston doesn’t exactly have a reputation for its technology and talent. I think this city can be an innovation leader.”

Richards’ approach to fueling technology growth and development, as well as the business needs of clients, is collaboration. Accenture utilizes the expertise of professionals in its labs, as well as those at its Innovation Centers, located throughout the globe, and its Liquid Studio in California’s Silicon Valley, to drive product and service innovation.

Thus far, Richards has worked on projects ranging from robotics (including the use of ROVs and drones), wearable computing (such as head mounted displays used for maintenance and training), the use of Big Data and advanced analytics (for production optimization); to 3D printing capabilities for custom drilling tools and spare parts. He has 11 patents and has contributed to over a dozen publications.

Most recently, Richards has been engaged in the rethinking of digital oilfield automation and the optimization of chemical management. Additionally, he is leading a new effort, as Accenture moves forward with construction of its new Innovation Center and Liquid Studio in Houston.  “This industry is extremely exciting and fascinating, and it’s critical to our future,” Richards said. “It’s amazing that we can take an idea and expand on it in a way that could fundamentally change people’s lives.”

“I’ve found that coming up with new ideas is the easy part, it’s the execution that is hard, and it takes a team of individuals to make it happen.”