Aramco Partners With NVIDIA To Advance Quantum Computing In Energy Sector

Aramco, a global leader in energy, is advancing its technological capabilities to meet the world's energy needs. The company is focusing on digital transformation within its Upstream segment, inspired by the historic Dammam 7 oil well and the powerful Dammam-7 Supercomputer. This transformation aims to accelerate technological advancements in energy exploration.

Quantum computing is at the forefront of this transformation, promising to revolutionise complex problem-solving across industries, including energy. Aramco's Upstream Digital Center (UDC) is leveraging quantum computing to enhance computational techniques for exploring new reserves. This involves processing large-scale seismic data to produce precise subsurface images.

In collaboration with NVIDIA, Aramco has developed one of the largest quantum computing emulators in the region, known as Dammam-7Q (DMM7Q). This initiative uses the Dammam-7 Supercomputer, enhanced by NVIDIA's graphical processing units (GPUs), to push the boundaries of quantum computing capabilities.

The future of supercomputing lies in hybrid systems that combine different architectures to expand algorithmic possibilities. Tim Costa from NVIDIA highlighted that developing and deploying quantum algorithms requires integrating both quantum and conventional supercomputing technologies.

Aramco is utilising an algorithm called quantum Hadamard edge detection, designed for future quantum processors. This algorithm significantly improves subsurface image details, showcasing the potential of advanced computing in geosciences.

The NVIDIA CUDA-Q platform plays a crucial role in this innovation by enabling GPU-accelerated emulations of future quantum hardware. This allows Aramco to develop and test quantum algorithms applicable to geosciences, facilitating their adoption in practical scenarios.

Hybrid Systems and Emulation Success

CUDA-Q has also allowed Aramco to explore how real quantum algorithms will function on hybrid systems that integrate CPUs, GPUs, and quantum hardware. This integration simplifies task distribution among various coprocessors, enhancing computational efficiency.

Using CUDA-Q, Aramco successfully emulated up to 30 qubits per GPU. By scaling across multiple GPUs within the Dammam-7 Supercomputer, they detected 3D seismic faults on a comprehensive 3D seismic dataset. This achievement represents a significant milestone in upstream computing through pioneering quantum-based algorithms.

Future Prospects

The collaboration between Aramco and NVIDIA exemplifies how transformative applications can emerge when researchers have access to advanced platforms for accelerated computing. This partnership explores the potential of hybrid quantum-classical supercomputers for future advancements.

Ashraf Al-Tahini, Vice President of UDC, stated that their goal is to innovate at the frontier with quantum computing through collaboration with NVIDIA. They aim to harness hybrid supercomputers' power for tomorrow's innovations.

This collaborative effort marks a significant step towards adopting quantum computing in energy exploration. It highlights Aramco's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology for sustainable energy solutions.

With inputs from SPA