Brazilian Government-backed oil and gas company Petrobras has selected SLB, an oilfield services provider, to carry out a digital transformation project.

The agreement will see SLB deploy its Delfi digital platform across Petrobras’ operations.

Specifically, the deal covers all aspects of exploration, development and production, including shifting subsurface activities to the cloud.

According to the energy technology vendor, Petrobras’ investments in cloud-based and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies speed up decision-making and lay the groundwork for the achievement of net-zero and decarbonisation targets.

Petrobras' investment in SLB digital technology for exploration and production (E&P) is also a component of its strategy to boost overall operations production.

SLB claimed that its Delfi platform can accelerate processing for geological and geophysical interpretation.

For instance, in petrophysical modelling workflows, AI and machine learning applications cut fault interpretation time by 60%, the company said.

SLB president of digital and integration Rakesh Jaggi said: “By leveraging AI, machine learning and high-performance computing technology from SLB, Petrobras will drive aggressive efficiency and production increases across its E&P business.

“Leveraging the Delfi platform to digitally transform Petrobras’ E&P workflows will improve efficiency, and demonstrates its commitment to sustainability and energy transition.”

Earlier this week, Petrobras chief financial officer Sergio Caetano Leite said in an interview that the company is looking to acquire assets after selling off its oil blocks and refineries for the majority of the past ten years.