IOC helps Chevron maximize production and reduce its carbon footprint in the Permian Basin

With its multiple large screens and control panels, the Chevron Integrated Operations Control Center (IOC) in Midland somewhat resembles a NASA control room.

The difference is that instead of monitoring and adjusting the activity of a rocket in outer space, the IOC’s focus is on what is happening on and under the grounds of Chevron’s widespread oil and gas operations in the Permian Basin, including in remote locations.

But the mission of the IOC, located at Chevron’s Midland headquarters, is actually not so different from NASA’s, in that its discoveries serve to benefit humankind and our planet.

The IOC provides a constant stream of sophisticated data as well as tools that enable Chevron employees to monitor and adjust their operations without having to physically be at the work site. Using information derived from data-collecting monitors and cameras located throughout Chevron’s regional operations, workers at the IOC are empowered to remotely and immediately mitigate or prevent onsite incidents that can impact production or increase emissions, such as flaring.

‘In the IOC, we learn of incidents of venting and flaring instantaneously. We can notify the field or make adjustments from the IOC with a simple push of the button.’

In this way, the IOC has become integral in Chevron’s ambitious goals of reaching 1 million barrels of oil-equivalent per day in the Permian Basin by 2025, while simultaneously helping to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

The ability to monitor and adjust operations from the IOC also helps to prevent safety incidents, both on the work site and on the roads.

“The technology lets us see what’s trending at our facilities,” said Gustavo Galvan, production specialist. “In the IOC, we learn of incidents of venting and flaring instantaneously. We can notify the field or make adjustments from the IOC with a simple push of the button.”

Widespread monitoring

Thanks to the reliable stream of date coming from the IOC, Teodoro Vazquez is able to interact with his team members to ensure there aren’t many colleagues out on the roads, especially in inclement weather.

The production specialist’s main goal is to ensure all his colleagues get home safe.

“A lot can happen out in the field, even just driving around,” Vazquez said. “If I could lessen that just by being here and helping them out in the field, that’s fine by me.”

The IOC operates around-the-clock out of Chevron’s Midland headquarters. A team of 36 operators currently run the center, a small number considering the vastness of the company’s operations in the Permian Basin, according to Melissa Barrios Messina, operations supervisor.

But that small relatively crew accomplishes critical work that can keep their colleagues from having to drive long distances to work sites in the middle of the night.

“The ability to manage the data helps take that burden off our people, keeping them safe and also increasing safety on local roads,” Messina said.

With the IOC responding to incidents, field teams are freed up to do other pressing work, “which adds more value to the company,” Messina notes.

Chevron began developing the IOC in 2017 and it has greatly modernized since.

Eyes in the sky

Galvan describes the IOC as being the “eyes in the sky” for his colleagues out in the field.

“What excites me about coming to work every day is getting to interact with field specialists,” he said. “I enjoy still getting to talk with colleagues I’ve worked with in the past.”

His colleague, fellow production specialist Matthew Vigil, enjoys working in the IOC because it allows him to solve problems and troubleshoot.

“If I can help minimize stress on workers out in the field and maximize productivity of our wells, that’s what I like doing [at the IOC],” Vigil said.

Environmental Protections/ One Team/ Safety

Vazquez loves the outdoors and hunts locally. And so he takes pride in playing a role at the IOC in protecting his local environment as well as his colleagues in the oil field. Chevron’s investment in the IOC “shows how we are a company that puts people first and foremost,” he said.

“Any pumper, any field safety specialist that comes through here, they’ll tell you that at Chevron safety is the number one priority,” said Galvan. “We practice what we preach.”

When they aren’t monitoring data from the IOC, you might find members of the IOC team talking shop at a local watering hole, or even traveling together on vacation.

“I enjoy the camaraderie,” said Vazquez. “It’s a second family, we are really tight knit.”

Forming bonds with colleagues both within the IOC and out in the field makes the job that much more worthwhile.

“It’s a win-win for me,” he said.