PHOTO: Karla Wasinger, IT business analyst, Infrastructure, shows off the Microsoft HoloLens during the Emerging Digital Technologies Showcase.
How ConocoPhillips is tapping into the power of its employees to fuel innovation
by Gus Morgan
The team of young
“We could pump these robots in through
During this brainstorming exercise — one of many hands-on learning activities during Learning & Innovation for Today & Tomorrow (LIFT), a recent technical training event for ConocoPhillips
Cultivating a multidisciplinary environment
Such collaborative thinking exemplifies ConocoPhillips’ innovation culture, a data-driven world where talent and technology develop simultaneously. Each day, employees find themselves immersed in a workplace that encourages ideation.
It’s why ConocoPhillips offers training events such as LIFT.
A complementary mix of training and networking, the 2019 LIFT event featured nine technical tracks and 36 courses, giving
For
‘
A chance to interface with others’
“One of the best parts of LIFT for me was the chance to interface with others from the business units,” said Kyle Hodges, a production engineer. “It gave me exposure to the problems they deal with and the solutions and approaches they’ve taken.”
Jessie Chen, a field facilities engineer, said that at
“Now when I encounter issues, I know who to contact to brainstorm solutions,” Chen said.
Ian Efron, a drilling engineer, said LIFT broadened his organizational perspective.
“Sometimes we can get
‘Faster and smarter in everything we do’
Before the cross-discipline courses began, participants heard from senior leaders, who highlighted the importance of learning, collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
Steinar Vaage, senior vice president, Global Operations, Wells & Projects, emphasized the importance of cross-functional teamwork.
“Cross-functional is here to stay,” Vaage said. “The more you know about the other pieces, the more valuable you are. Being curious and looking beyond your discipline is
Vaage said cross-functional teamwork brings a broader perspective, enabling employees to see the entire value chain and
Bill Bullock, President, Asia Pacific & Middle East, told
“Find people you can learn from,” he said. “Ask questions from those who can help you get better and push you. If you ask a lot of questions, good things happen, especially if it’s outside of your discipline. Spend a lot of time asking why, then listen.”
Dave Mabee, Innovation Manager, stressed that innovation is not about the next gadget.
“If you find a way to drill better in the Permian, within six months everybody is copying you,” he said. “If you have a better completion in the Eagle Ford, within nine months everybody is copying you. Any single innovation has a shelf life and everybody catches up. So it’s more about culture. Trust and empowerment are really at the core of an innovation culture.”
The push to become a data-driven company
Mabee’s innovation insights at LIFT flowed over into ConocoPhillips’ next big training and tech event, the 2019 Analytics & Innovation Symposium, a two-day conference with more than 40 presentations, four workshops and four keynote speakers.
Attended by more than 700 participants, the symposium was designed to help employees improve, innovate and connect. A vast array of the company’s data analytics and innovation initiatives were highlighted.
Keynote speaker Mark Gallagher, Formula One media analyst and managing director of Performance Insights Ltd., shared how data analytics has transformed Formula One over the years.
“Formula One is all about embracing data,” Gallagher said of the motorsport where teams use data analytics to advance their performance and remain competitive.
Throughout the symposium, employees sharpened their analytics skills and learned about emerging digital and data analytics through case studies. Symposium tracks included Emerging Digital Technologies, Subsurface, Drilling and Competitive Intelligence.
The symposium also featured a segment called ConocoPhillips Got Talent, where participants pitched innovative ideas to leaders and innovation champions. Complimenting the event was an Emerging Digital Technologies Showcase and networking reception, allowing employees hands-on access to the latest technical tools.
More learning opportunities in 2020
This fall, ConocoPhillips will host its inaugural Global Technical Conference, an event destined to become the company’s annual flagship technical event.
This conference for petrotechnical and associated data science and emerging digital professionals will provide a dynamic opportunity to connect, learn, collaborate and innovate. Participating groups will include Geoscience, Reservoir, Wells, Production, Facilities, Operations and data scientists.
In addition, ConocoPhillips will see the return of LIFT in the first quarter of 2021, and it’s expected to be an annual event thereafter.
- To learn more about careers at ConocoPhillips, go to http://careers.conocophillips.com/