Occidental Partners with Amazon Web Services For Cloud Migration

Occidental, a leading energy company and carbon management pioneer, has chosen Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its preferred cloud provider.
AWS event for CIOsThe collaboration aims to bolster Occidental’s operational efficiency and support its ambitious plans to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, primarily through large-scale direct air capture (DAC) plants.

Under the partnership, Occidental will undergo a substantial migration of its core production applications and on-premises IT infrastructure to AWS Cloud. This transition is expected to optimize operations, eliminate upfront capital costs, and provide a more flexible and secure IT environment for the energy provider.

By utilizing AWS’s cloud services, such as Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) and Amazon Elastic Block Store (Amazon EBS), Occidental will gain access to scalable compute capacity and high-performance block storage, allowing the company to adapt to market fluctuations more effectively.

One of the pivotal aspects of this collaboration is Occidental’s utilization of AWS analytics and machine learning capabilities. These cutting-edge technologies will enable Occidental to gain valuable insights and automate various processes.

For instance, AWS Lake Formation will facilitate the management of data lakes and the integration of historical data, leading to enhanced exploration decision-making and improved equipment performance.

In addition to supporting Occidental’s digital transformation, AWS will also collaborate with Occidental’s subsidiary, 1PointFive, to design and develop the systems architecture for large-scale direct air capture plants. These plants play a crucial role in removing CO2 from the atmosphere.

The DAC technology employs high-powered fans to draw air into processing facilities, where CO2 is extracted through chemical reactions and subsequently stored underground. This technology holds great promise in contributing to global efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.

1PointFive will leverage AWS infrastructure to analyze real-time data on DAC performance, enabling them to optimize processes and equipment efficiency for maximum output. The insights gained from this analysis will be applied to future plants, each expected to capture an impressive 1 million metric tons of CO2 annually.

Yanni Charalambous, Chief Information Officer at Occidental, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasizing how AWS’s innovative cloud solutions are driving energy efficiencies and facilitating the critical mission to decarbonize the atmosphere.

The migration to the AWS Cloud is set to reduce infrastructure costs, enhance operational efficiencies, and accelerate Occidental’s journey towards achieving net-zero emissions. The partnership also highlights Occidental’s commitment to supporting others in their pursuit of sustainable practices.

With this strategic alliance between Occidental and AWS, the energy industry takes a bold step forward in addressing climate change and fostering a more sustainable future. The integration of advanced cloud technologies and carbon capture innovations is expected to pave the way for more environmentally conscious practices within the sector, setting an example for other industries to follow suit.