Cognite exec joining Aker BP as new chief digital officer

Norwegian oil and gas company Aker BP has appointed a new Chief Digital Officer (CDO), who will be joining its executive management team next month.

Aker BP revealed on Wednesday that Paula Doyle would be its new CDO from 1 July 2022. As part of the company’s executive management team, Doyle will report to the firm’s CEO.

Karl Johnny Hersvik, CEO of Aker BP, remarked: “Paula will make a great addition to the management team in Aker BP. Her deep knowledge of the industrial software space and digitalization processes in heavy-asset industries will be invaluable in leading the digital transformation of the company.”
 
The Norwegian firm explains that Doyle, who has a PhD in Computer Engineering from the University of Limerick, comes from Cognite, where she held the position as SVP Sales and Marketing and was also a member of the executive management team.

Prior to joining Cognite, Doyle served in a variety of roles within the oil and gas industry for companies such as ABB and Siemens, in Norway and the Middle East.

During her time in the Middle East, Aker BP’s new CDO established and ran a non-profit industrial technology organisation. Currently, Doyle sits on the board of the Irish Norwegian chamber of commerce and has previously held board positions at Aker BP and Energy Valley. 
 
Commenting on the appointment, Paula Doyle, said: “I’m thrilled to join the team at Aker BP. I’m passionate about the potential for digital in the oil & gas industry, and I can’t think of a better place to exercise this than Aker BP. Aker BPs digital track record is excellent and the strategy is clear: being a world-class digital leader is a vital factor to succeed. Aker BP is on track, and has great ambition – I’m excited to contribute to it.”

When it comes to Aker BP’s latest exploration activities, it is worth noting that the company made a minor oil and gas discovery offshore Norway, which is located near the Valhall field in the North Sea.