Focus FS has launched a multi-year, $8 million artificial intelligence initiative aimed at improving safety and operational control in offshore oil and gas operations, with significant funding from the Hebron and Hibernia projects.

The St. John’s–based industrial software company said the two offshore oil and gas projects will each contribute more than $2.45 million toward the research and development of AI technologies, for a combined expenditure of more than $4.9 million. The program will focus on applying AI tools across offshore assets to reduce operational risk, limit downtime and improve decision-making.

According to Focus FS, the initiative will target areas such as safety reporting, asset performance and predictive modeling. The company plans to deliver the work in phases, beginning with AI-driven safety reporting before expanding into broader operational applications.

“Our AI strategy connects the promise of AI technology with the reality of operations,” said Focus FS CEO Jeff Brown in a statement. “We’re not just talking about what AI can do, we’re demonstrating how it delivers tangible improvements in safety and control. This project will look at embedding AI directly into workflows, helping organizations turn data into action and unlock new value from previous digital investments.”

A key component of the initiative is Focus FS’s proprietary AI platform, which is designed to operate within each customer’s dedicated cloud environment, said the statement. The company said this approach is intended to meet the data governance and security requirements of offshore operators, ensuring sensitive operational data remains under the control of asset owners. The platform includes a private large language model architecture that supports natural language processing and advanced analytics.

The initiative will also draw on historical operational data collected by offshore operators over many years. Focus FS said it will use that data to train AI models, with the aim of generating predictive insights and extending the value of earlier digitization efforts that may not have delivered clear returns at the time.

Focus FS specializes in asset safety systems for high-risk industries, including offshore oil and gas.