Chevron leverages AI to transform oil and gas exploration

Chevron is harnessing artificial intelligence to streamline oil and gas exploration, saving time and resources while improving decision-making across its operations. The company’s proprietary AI platform, ApEX, is reshaping how exploration teams identify and evaluate prospective drill sites.

Source: Chevron

Launched in August 2024, ApEX (Advanced Exploration AI) is an in-house generative AI solution first deployed in deepwater exploration in the Gulf of America. Traditionally, subsurface exploration is a labor-intensive process, requiring teams to manually collect and analyze vast amounts of data—from surveys and well logs to maps, images, and technical reports. ApEX automates this process, providing rapid, high-quality insights from over a million files.

Explorationists interact with ApEX through a chat interface, entering queries that are addressed by multiple specialized AI “agents.” Each agent focuses on a specific type of information, such as geospatial data or exploration review assessments. These agents collaborate to deliver comprehensive answers, helping teams quickly understand subsurface characteristics and assess the potential of prospective sites.

Whether explorationists are investigating ideas for a particular region or examining unique attributes of identified prospects, ApEX allows them to access critical data instantly. It even provides detailed technical insights, like porosity measurements for target rock formations.

^{Chadwick Holmes, Senior Manager of Technology Data and AI at Chevron}

The platform now manages over 4 terabytes of data, giving Chevron teams unprecedented access to exploration knowledge. By enabling faster, more informed decisions, ApEX supports Chevron’s ability to compete effectively in exploration licensing rounds and strategically invest in high-potential acreage.

ApEX exemplifies Chevron’s commitment to integrating advanced technology into energy operations, demonstrating how AI can make exploration safer, smarter, and more efficient.