I’ve worked adjacent to data science for natural gas well services. You’re on the right track to be thinking about this as a problem; it’s easy in O&G to get su

I’ve worked adjacent to data science for natural gas well services. You’re on the right track to be thinking about this as a problem; it’s easy in O&G to get sucked into solving a problem right this minute, and to hell with the long term. The advantage of being in your position is that literally nobody knows how long anything should take (although in O&G the answer is always “do it yesterday”) which potentially gives you some breathing room to explore new ideas. Bear in mind that your industry is notoriously prone to consolidation as well as newcomers cropping up like mushrooms after a rainstorm in response to boom/bust cycles. Keep your eyes open, nothing lasts forever in O&G, and forever is five years. You will need to be ready to move on when the time comes.