Optimizing the Delivery of High-Performance Workstations for Geophysical Workflows in Subsurface Exploration
Abstract: The energy industry is increasingly reliant on high-performance computing (HPC) and advanced digital tools to drive innovation in subsurface exploration and reservoir analysis. The design of IT environments typically involve a hybrid approach, combining on-premises infrastructure with cloud resources to meet the high demands of upstream workflows. Hybrid models can introduce several challenges, particularly in managing user access, coordinating virtual workstation environments, and ensuring the efficiency and performance of end-user experiences. Balancing workloads between on-premises and cloud platforms, while maintaining seamless access and optimal performance, requires careful orchestration to avoid bottlenecks and ensure that computational resources are effectively utilized. This session will highlight a case study of how Chevron revolutionized their IT infrastructure to optimize the delivery of high-performance workstations used for geophysical analysis. Chevron was able to replace outdated systems, streamline workflows, and unlock significant improvements in computational performance and end-user experience. Their modern hybrid environment spans both on-premise and cloud resources, dynamically provisioning and controlling virtual workstations in the cloud for efficient compute usage without compromising performance. With their new solution, Chevron achieved a more efficient use of cloud resources, reducing operational costs by automating power management, provisioning, and virtual workstation allocation. This ensured that only the necessary computing power was deployed at any given time, enabling substantial cost savings while still maintaining the high performance required for demanding geophysical simulations and reservoir modeling. As a result, Chevron’s geophysicists were able to work faster, solve more complex problems, and increase their overall productivity. Key takeaways include: 1) the simplification of end-user experience; 2) the optimization of system management; 3) the adoption of modular, scalable solutions to ensure flexibility and adaptability, reducing the risk of disruption when technologies reach end of life.
Authors: Stephen Rigler (Chevron Corporation), Blake Ray (Chevron Corporation) and Karen Gondoly (Leostream Corporation)
