Drilling rates, seismic data, shipping and transportation rates, and occupational safety statistics are just a small sample of the large amounts of data that energy companies generate every day. But, what can they do with all that data? That’s where data scientists come in. They have a knack for connecting the dots to find useful insights and realize the data’s full potential.

The process of exploring and developing energy resources generates vast amounts of data. In oil and gas companies, data scientists mine this data to glean useful insights from a wide variety of sources ranging from explorations, well drilling and production sensors. Data mining combines statistics, artificial intelligence (AI) and database research.

Data scientists analyze and profile large, complex, multi-dimensional datasets using a variety of tools. This analysis is used to find patterns, anomalies, and optimization opportunities as well as provide predictive analytics for the company’s consideration. There is a significant emphasis on research, design and implementation of cutting-edge algorithms and models to ensure the company’s data analysis benefits from new developments in data science. The Data Scientist also provides expertise and advocacy about data science processes and solutions, communicating insights and learnings to colleagues so these are understood and implemented in the broader business decisions within a company.

In large companies, data scientists typically lead analytic practices in cross-functional teams to identify and prioritize actionable and impactful insights across core business areas.