Dedicated to becoming a net neutral company by 2050
Oil and gas company, BP has joined the IBM Quantum Network to advance the use of quantum computing in the energy industry.
By joining the IBM Quantum Network as an Industry Partner, BP will have access to IBM’s quantum expertise and software and cloud-based access to the most advanced quantum computers available via the cloud. This includes access to a premium 65-qubit quantum computer, the largest universal quantum system available to industry today, and an important milestone on the IBM Quantum roadmap to a 1,000-plus qubit system, targeted for the end of 2023.
BP will work with IBM to explore using quantum computing to solve business and engineering challenges and explore the potential applications for driving efficiencies and reducing carbon emissions.
“BP’s ambition is to become a net zero company by 2050 or sooner and help the world get to net zero. Next-generation computing capabilities such as quantum computing will assist in solving the science and engineering challenges we will face, enabling us to reimagine energy and design new lower carbon products,” said Morag Watson, senior vice president, digital science and engineering at BP.
Quantum computing has the potential to be applied in areas such as: modelling the chemistry and build-up of various types of clay in hydrocarbon wells – a crucial factor in efficient hydrocarbon production; analysing and managing the fluid dynamics of wind farms; optimising autonomous robotic facility inspection; and helping create opportunities not yet imagined delivering the clean energy the world wants and needs.
In 2020, BP announced its net zero ambition and its new strategy. By the end of this decade, it aims to have developed around 50 gigawatts of net renewable-generating capacity (a 20-fold increase), increased annual low carbon investment 10-fold to around US$5 billion and cut its oil and gas production by 40 per cent.
Joining the IBM Quantum Network will enhance BP’s ability to leverage quantum advances and applications as they emerge and then influence on how those breakthroughs can be applied to its industry and the energy transition.
Recently the multinational company also announced 25,000 office-based staff will be expected to work from home for two days a week as part of a post-pandemic shift to flexible working patterns.
The Guardian reported the work overhaul is part of a major modernisation program, as part of its dedication to becoming net zero carbon by 2050.
“Some roles will require people to be in the office or their prime location every day, and some roles will require greater travel or connecting digitally with colleagues, with less time in the office. There may also be some colleagues who prefer working in the office more,” noted a spokesperson to The Guardian.
