Unlocking Digital Doors

12/13/24 • 12 min

Digital Innovations in Oil and Gas with Geoffrey Cann

Oil and gas managers often view every decision as high-stakes and irreversible, but in the digital world, not all choices carry that weight.

Jeff Bezos’s concept of “Type One” (irreversible) and “Type Two” (reversible) decisions offers a powerful framework for rethinking decision-making in the energy sector. While some digital investments—like SCADA integrations or major cybersecurity upgrades—are genuine Type One decisions requiring caution, many can be structured to minimize risk.

In this episode, I explore practical approaches like pilots, modular designs, and SaaS solutions that help reframe digital investments as low-risk, high-reward opportunities. By distinguishing between true Type One decisions and those that only seem that way, oil and gas companies can accelerate adoption cycles, manage risk effectively, and unlock value faster.

Additional Tools & Resources: 🎬 Go backstage and check out my studio: 👉 https://geoffreycann.com/mystudio/ 🎓 Take my one-day digital strategy training course for oil and gas: 👉 https://www.udemy.com/course/digital-oil-and-gas/?referralCode=0161D4D49AB75735A185

Connect with Me: 🖥️ Blog series: https://digitaloilgas.substack.com/ 🎧 Podcast: https://geoffreycann.com/broadcast/ 📇 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/advocate-digital-innovation-for-energy/ 🤬 X: https://x.com/geoffreycann

Contact for Lectures and Keynotes: I regularly speak on these and related topics. Book a brief call to discuss your upcoming event: 👉 https://geoffreycann.com/contact/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are my own and do not constitute professional advice.

Download the Transcript! Want the script for this podcast? Download it here: 👉 https://open.substack.com/pub/digitaloilgas/p/unlocking-digital-doors?r=18ohzb&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Oil and gas managers often view every decision as high-stakes and irreversible, but in the digital world, not all choices carry that weight.

Contact for Lectures and Keynotes: I regularly speak on these and related topics. Book a brief call to discuss your upcoming event: 👉 https://geoffreycann.com/contact/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are my own and do not constitute professional advice.

Previous Episode

Why Your Digital Oil and Gas Innovation Is Doomed

With your company being acquired, what happens to the digital innovation you helped pioneer? Sadly, its days may be numbered.

The unfortunate fate of digital innovations in the oil and gas industry following acquisitions is really depressing. Even groundbreaking technologies—despite their proven value—are often tossed to the curb by acquiring companies and their old-guard leaders.

The structural and cultural barriers that stifle innovation in oil and gas can kill off winning ideas without remorse.

That's the story in this episode--the rise and fall of a remarkable digital transformation program that unlocked huge value for a company on the brink, but was left behind after an acquisition by a more traditional player in the industry.

Fortunately, I share the steps digital innovators must take to safeguard their work and survive in an acquisition. Sometimes the upside can be huge.

Contact for Lectures and Keynotes: I regularly speak on these and related topics. Book a brief call to discuss your upcoming event: 👉 https://geoffreycann.com/contact/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are my own and do not constitute professional advice.

Download the Transcript! Want the script for this podcast? Download it here: 👉 https://digitaloilgas.substack.com/p/why-your-digital-oil-and-gas-innovation

Next Episode

Building Tomorrow’s Energy Talent Today

SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) has a critical mission: producing the frontline workers that keep the energy industry running.

But as the sector evolves—shaped by decarbonization, digital technologies, shifting demographics, and immigration rules—so too must the workforce.

According to Dale Hansen, dean of SAIT’s MacPhail School of Energy, the institution’s role is to stay several steps ahead of these trends, making sure graduates are ready to meet the future.

Dale faces an unenviable but exciting challenge: anticipating where the energy market is headed years before it happens.

SAIT works to identify the skills the industry will need, refresh its curriculum, and recruit educators—all while navigating rapid changes.

This isn’t just about tweaking course content; it’s about rethinking what it means to be an energy professional in a world increasingly shaped by new solutions and technologies.

The future energy worker won’t just turn wrenches or operate rigs—they’ll need to innovate, adapt, and problem-solve in ways that the industry has yet to experience.

Dale highlights how SAIT is taking a proactive approach to build this next-gen workforce, seeing that the energy sector has the talent it needs to thrive in a decarbonized, digital-first future.

About Dale

Dale Hansen is the Dean in the MacPhail School of Energy at SAIT, providing strategic leadership for its academic programs that span across the energy industry.

Prior to joining SAIT, Dale spent 25 years in the oil and gas and mineral resource sectors. Through the course of his career in oil and gas, Dale filled a wide variety of leadership roles across many functions, including time spent in field locations such as the Oil Sands near Fort McMurray.

This has provided him with a well-rounded perspective on the industry and an absolute passion for energy in all of its forms.

Dale is an experienced facilitator and speaker who holds a Chartered Professional Accounting (CMA) designation and a Master of Arts degree in Leadership from Royal Roads University.

Reference Links For SAIT 🖥️ website: https://www.sait.ca/sait-schools/macphail-school-of-energy 📇 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-l-hansen/ ⌨️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/saitca 📧 Dale’s email: [email protected] 🖥️ Facebook: Facebook.com/SAIT ❌ Twitter: x.com/sait Additional Tools & Resources From Geoffrey 🎬 Go backstage and check out my studio: 👉 https://geoffreycann.com/resources/ 🎓 Take my one day digital strategy training course for oil and gas: 👉 https://www.udemy.com/course/digital-... Connect with Me: 🖥️ Blog series: https://digitaloilgas.substack.com/ 🎧 Podcast: https://geoffreycann.com/broadcast/ 📇 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/advocate-digital-innovation-for-energy 🤬 X: https://x.com/geoffreycann Contact for Lectures and Keynotes: I speak regularly on these and other topics. Contact me to book a brief call about your upcoming event needs. Click here 👉 https://geoffreycann.com/contact/