ExxonMobil: AI, policy alignment to shape exploration in the ‘demand decade’
(WO) - “It doesn’t matter whether it’s today, 10 years ago, 20 years ago ... the challenge is the same: to supply the world with energy.”
That was the message from John Ardill, vice president of exploration and new ventures at ExxonMobil, speaking during OTC’s Day 2 technical session, “Exploration in the Demand Decade,” moderated by Nikki Martin, president and CEO of EnerGeo Alliance.
Ardill said the industry is facing continued growth in energy demand, while repeated supply disruptions are reinforcing the need to keep investing in long-cycle oil and gas supply.
“It’s not a single shock anymore,” Ardill said. “It’s more like a series of disruptions every 12 to 18 months.”
Guyana highlights technology, partnership
Ardill pointed to Guyana as a leading example of what can happen when government, regulators and investors are aligned and projects move quickly. Since first oil in 2019, ExxonMobil and its partners have scaled production through a series of FPSO developments that have pushed output toward 1 MMbpd.
“That success comes down to alignment between government, regulators and investors,” Ardill said. “When that’s in place, you can move from discovery to production in just a few years.”
He also said the company recently drilled its first fully autonomous well in Guyana, with AI handling drilling and geosteering through the reservoir section.
“This is no driller touching the controls,” Ardill said. “This is entirely drilled through the reservoir section with AI, including geosteering.”
Ardill said the autonomous system delivered stronger drilling and well-placement performance than conventional approaches.
U.S. shale still the benchmark
Ardill described the U.S. shale sector as the benchmark for unconventional development, citing its combination of resource quality, infrastructure, regulatory support and supply chain depth.
“We’ve been very fortunate in the U.S.,” he said. “It’s the sweet spot for many reasons. It’s high technology, associated gas, perfect ecosystem, a great regulator, and government support to grow fast.”
That foundation, he said, has enabled a manufacturing-style drilling model that remains difficult to replicate internationally.
“The rocks are one thing, and we can test those with pilots and de-risk them,” Ardill said. “But the surface is really what differentiates unconventional success.”
He said the real advantage lies in building a system that can lower drilling and completion costs, shorten cycle times and support development at scale. But reproducing that outside the U.S. depends on more than subsurface quality.
“It requires supply chain, uninterrupted movement of people and materials, and then a government that stands behind enabling all of the central things from hydrocarbon law, policy [and] regulation,” Ardill said. “Very easy to say, very difficult to do.”
Looking ahead, Ardill said global energy demand will continue to rise, with AI adding another layer of demand growth.
“There’s never been a better time to get into our industry,” he said. “Whether you’re going to be a geologist, engineer or working in data science.”
Ardill’s closing message to the audience was direct: “There’s no better time to explore,” he said. “Bring it on.”
Above image: John Ardill, VP of exploration and new ventures at ExxonMobil, speaks with Nikki Martin, president and CEO of EnerGeo Alliance, during OTC Day 2 in Houston. Courtesy of OTC.
