ASIA maintenance . So , we ’ re working with Baker Hughes , part of GE , to create a pilot around these . The idea is that we can create savings , which will increase the value of the partnership to both parties . We ’ re not just buying sensors from them or their software , we ’ re doing things in a mutually beneficial way .”
CULTURE CATCHES UP
Pemex is not just embracing innovation with its partners . Internally , something of a cultural revolution is underway .
This is no minor undertaking for Becerra Mizuno , who is responsible for around 3,000 employees spanning engineers , consultants and decision makers , many of whom are from an older generation and more cautious about new technologies .
“ How do I get an aging work force to adopt new things ?” he asks . “ That ’ s usually very difficult . We have to see that becoming digital was largely about a new mindset . It ’ s a radical change in the way we do things – we ’ ve run a tonne of programmes to get people who have not used technology to embrace it .”
An initiative which has fostered innovation internally is Idea Lab , which allows employees at all levels to submit pitches in a venture capital style , progressing through various rounds until a winner is chosen and their idea funded .
Harnessing innovation by attracting new talent is altogether a different challenge , especially when it comes to luring younger , techsavvy recruits into oil and gas .
Partnerships with educational institutions like Mexico City ’ s Tec de Monterrey will help to bridge this gap . Pemex Drive was hosted on one of its campuses , and Becerra Mizuno says Pemex is working closely with the university to develop interest in oil and gas IT careers . He cites his own example of leaving a private technology giant for a public-Technology oil and gas firm . “ When I was at Microsoft , it was an extremely optimised company , so the things that I was able to do were very narrow . They were perfect , but they were narrow . “ At Pemex , there ’ s so much to do ,
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